Five days later, I made it!

This is the only picture I have of Queenstown, It is crazy beautiful here, I took this on the way to the Internet cafe.

What a week!  I just landed about an hour ago in Queenstown.  I left Napier on Thursday and have been stuck in Christchurch since then.  Wow!  So here is how it went down....  I got on my flight to Christchurch with all my luggage, and my bike as usual.  I get to Christchurch all fine and dandy, waited an hour for my plane to Queenstown.  Got on my plane, we spend 30 minutes on the plane, then turned around because the weather in Queenstown was too bad to land! So, I went back to Christchurch, got my bags, and asked myself how I was going to contact the missionaries here.  [he was alone] Well, I noticed there was a bike box that looked just like mine, so I went to it and it said Elder on it!  Yes!  There has to be another Elder around here somewhere.  Sure enough, I found a new Elder at the wrong baggage claim!  Elder Hepworth is brand new, and he is opening a new area so he had a cellphone!  So we were able to call the office and send the Zone Leaders!  The Zone Leaders were amazing!  So, since Thursday, I have been re-booking flights to come to Queenstown!  They were cancelled every day until today!  I finally made it though so all is good!  My bike box is wrecked though because of the rain and taking it in and out of the airport daily!  So, I got to go to church at Christchurch  yesterday and met all the members there and now I am ready to go there on my mission too!  I think I should count this for an area -- I was there 5 days!  I did get to see the whole area of Christchurch because I have been staying with the Zone Leaders, man, it is a MESS!  [from the earthquakes]  They have wood holding up every building.  There are huge piles of rubble everywhere!  It is sad, I didn't get very many pictures.  

Elder Hepworth and I in the airport at Christchurch

Here I am with the awesome Zone leaders... I spent some time at this airport this week!

Building held up by wood in Christchurch

Please put some money in my account so I can buy some warm clothes. I had to leave a coat in Napier, but bought a new one in Christchurch.  He gave me 50% off because I am a missionary.  I also need more deoderant and a sonicare head.   And in my next package, will you send me an ipod loaded with every singer you know singing a hymn.  Vocal Point has a new CD out of hymns, for sure get that one -- I know dad would like it. [we already have it, of course]. Everyone here has ipods that we listen to in the car or at the house -- just make sure you send me a USB cord with it.  The Zone Leaders in Christchurch had them, so I asked President, and he said YES, they are allowed.  Only hymn music though -- Mormon Tabernacle Choir is okay, but it gets boring, I know you know tons of others that you can load an ipod with.  Actually, just send me your green ipod, don't buy a new one.  

Well, that was my week.  I think I was meant to be on all of those planes because I gave out 2 copies of the Book of  Mormon and 4 pass along cards out of the 4 planes that I was on.  Planes are great because you are forced to talk to people.  The last one, I got her number and address!  I am definitely sending the missionaries over!

I have only been to my flat once, and I don't know much about my companion either,  so next week I will fill you in on all your questions about my new area, as well as the branch.  I have heard that there are only 8 active members here so I might be in the Bishopric [branch presidency].  

It's freezing here, but I love it!

Elder Tuckett

                                           

Look!  Mary Street in Christchurch!