ALMOST SETTLED IN

Started work this week at the Pacifica Area Offices.  Alisa and I used a temporary office for a few days.  Wednesday the legal department took Kent and Barbara Murdock out for a farewell dinner at Portofino Italian restaurant.  Thursday was their last day in the office before returning home to America.  Friday Alisa and I moved into their vacated office and spent most of the day unpacking and getting our computers set up. We still have a lot to learn.  On Saturday a group of us senior missionaries took an excursion to the Otara Farmers Market.  We had fun stocking up on inexpensive fresh fruits and vegetables, including shiitake mushrooms, garlic, New Zealand apples, tofu that looked like pasta, radishes and turnips, kiwi, creamed honey, cucumbers and more.  I even bought myself a $5 NZ (about $3.50 US dollars) straw hat for shade.  Then we drove on to explore Duder Regional park, one of 26 regional parks.  This was a former Maori property, which the Duder family purchased and farmed for about 130 years then donated for use as a park.  It occupies a small peninsula, we enjoyed hiking about 5 miles around it to enjoy its beauties.  Today for church we attended the Takapuna Young Single Adults 2nd ward, which we have been assigned to help out.  Lots of fun, vibrant 20 somethings to get to know.  Also, I got our Magic Jack phone set up.  We can call the US now on Alisa's old cell phone no., 559-936-2942, but have to be careful not to call in the middle of the night, as we are 19 hours ahead of PST!