Our last Sunday in Whitianga, we had Sacrament with a high council speaker then had the hymn and closing prayer. Then they had a going away “feed” for us. Everyone had brought food and we got some delightful gifts. Good bye all of you beautiful people!
We went back to our flat for last minute tidying up and stuffed everything into the car. We drove to Hamilton to say good bye to Grant Pearce and his family (people that Kurt introduced us to 3 1/2 years ago) then continued on to Temple View to stay with the office couple Elder and Sister Pierce. They fed us dinner, kept us overnight and then fixed us breakfast the next morning. And then it was time for our exit meeting with the mission president. That was kind of sad. I remember at our first meeting with President Cummings, he told us to just go out and be ourselves and that’s just what we did. He has been a great compassionate leader.
Then on to the 20 hours of transit with only a few glitches like missing a connection because the first flight took off three hours late, but with missionary badges on, everyone wants to chat, find out if you’re coming or going and hear about your experience. Even the lady in security in LA just pushed our bags through and sent us through the fastest line. You can’t tell we’re getting excited:
And then after 18 months, that great experience of greeting in the airport:
And this was at 9:30 pm because of delays and rescheduling flights. Those grandkids were still at the top of the welcome home game! We finally got to our home at 11:30 to find the Tolman’s and Bishop Spencer’s family still up and out front to greet us.
All that was left was to meet with the Stake President at 2pm on the 24th of July for our release. President Kershaw pointed out that it was Pioneer Day and that we are pioneers of a different sort since we are the first senior missionaries in our family.
All in all, for 18 months, It was an incredibly fulfilling, spiritual, beautiful experience!
All that was left was to meet with the Stake President at 2pm on the 24th of July for our release. President Kershaw pointed out that it was Pioneer Day and that we are pioneers of a different sort since we are the first senior missionaries in our family.
All in all, for 18 months, It was an incredibly fulfilling, spiritual, beautiful experience!
Kia Ora for the last time, Elder and Sister O’Neal
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