We finalized our packing Monday morning weighing our suitcases so we knew they would not go over the weight limit of 50 lbs a piece. We also did last minute things around the house. I laundered the sheets on our bed. Dave mowed the lawn one last time. I watered at the fairy house and swept and straightened it. Packing up some healthy food options for the trip, I placed them in my purse for the flight. Dave ran into town to pick up some shoes that had been shipped. It was a morning of finishing up the last few details.
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| packed and ready |
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| last check on fairy house |
We planned on riding down in the Thatcher Dispatcher with Anna and the Ellis'. After getting all the luggage loaded Dave gave Anna a Father's Blessing. It was the final and most important thing of the morning.
Then we drove away. . . from home . . . from Philly and Clancy . . . from Paradise . . . and we were on our way.
As we rounded the corner to Alison's house there were children and signs being waved at us. Such a surprise. As I recognized Rachel and Emily's boys I knew that Emily had been working her magic. The big posters the children were holding read; New Zealand will never be the same, and You're in our Prayers, and Our Favorite Missionaries, and finally - We Love You! Emily handed me a small photo album like the ones I used to make for the missionaries to take. She had printed out pictures of every family and a big group one of all of us. It was such a sweet thoughtful gift.
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| James, myself, Stephen, Josh, Michael, Elder Thatcher, Lindy, Lauren, Silvie |
Greg, Alison and kids hopped into the van and we were off but we only got maybe a mile or two toward Sardine Canyon when the van started to vibrate and make a bad sound. The decision was made to head back to Ellis' and drive both their van and car to the airport. Greg would have the van checked later.
We hit a little bit of traffic but still had time to stop at Chuck-a-rama in Bountiful for a delicious and filling meal.
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| Chuck a Rama |
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| Aaron, Lorraine, and family met us at the airport |
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| Silvie, Jett, Lily, Lindy and Ella looking from above |
Anna asked if we felt like there were just constant goodbyes and we have had a few. We had the big gathering and goodbyes after we spoke in church on the 25th of June. There was the Sunday evening after we had been set apart where we all said goodbye again. Then just the day before so many had come to hear Uncle Brad and Aunt Rosie report their mission and we had gathered at home that evening and said goodbye once more. Now here we were at the airport with more loved ones saying a final goodbye before boarding the plane. It is simply in the Lord of the Rings tradition, the multiple farewells, and seemed appropriate since we were leaving for New Zealand.
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| last minute counsel for Anna from Elder Thatcher |
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| final hug for Lorraine |
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| Silvie says goodbye to her Grandpa |
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| Maddie, Kaitlin, Aaron, Lorraine, Anna, Thatcher, Elder Thatcher, Sister Thatcher, Ella, Eric, Lauren, Alison, Brig, Jett, Lindy, Lily, Silvie |
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| Silvie loves her grandpa - this picture tugs at my heart |
Even after Dave and I had gone through security and ridden the escalator up to the level of the gates we heard our names called and looking around saw the group all waving from far below and away.
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| waving and calling from afar |
The flight to Los Angeles was uneventful and not too long. We happened to be sitting next to Jaime Sheffer (Can't remember her married name) who was traveling back to China. We had a nice visit.
We had a layover from about 8:00 pm till 11:45 at LAX and spent that time charging our phones and visiting with some kids headed home to New Zealand, a missionary couple from another church headed to Papua New Guinea, where they planned to stay two years and teach at a school there. They had sold their home and all their possessions to do this and were such nice people.
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| nice couple headed for Papua New Guinea |
A nice man came up to us and asked where we where serving. Obviously he was LDS. He turned out to be a good friend of Uncle Paul and Aunt Jill. His name is J. Douglas LeCheminant. He works for LDS Family Services as the International field Operations Manager and is going to New Guinea, I believe and then to Auckland. It is a small world in the church.
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| Douglas LeCheminant -Uncle Paul and Aunt Jill's friend |
It was a long flight but we were pretty comfortable. One of the flight attendants let us change seats so that we would have an empty seat between us which allowed us to stretch out a little more. Still we had trouble sleeping maybe getting an hour or so of nodding off during the night. We were fed during the flight in the middle of the night, which was fun. Dad commented that it was the smoothest flight he had experienced.
We arrived in Auckland at 7:30 am on the 12th. We left on Monday evening and arrived on Wednesday morning. What a world. It had been raining. We could tell by the wet tarmac but the sun was shining and it looked beautiful. We were told that New Zealand is known as 'the land of the long white cloud' and that we would come to understand why.
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| view from an airport window 'The Land of the Long White Cloud" |
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| Elder Ivan and Sister Suzanna Briggs at Auckland Airport |
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| "On loan from Middle Earth" |
After picking up our luggage and going through inspection we were met by Elder and Sister Briggs. They treated us wonderfully all day, driving us to the MTC, where we were greeted by our dear friends, President Phil and Sister Judy Howes. They had a little interview with us before they headed off for a meeting.
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| President and Sister Howes of the MTC our dear friends |
Elder and Sister Briggs then gave us a tour of the MTC. They then took us to the hotel where we will be staying for 12 days before our apartment becomes available. Dave asked if we could have a couple hours to sleep before we went to Auckland for an interview with the mission president and that request was granted.
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| this beautiful rainbow greeted us after our nap |
They picked us up about 3:00 and drove us to the main part of the City of Auckland. It is a beautiful city with a lovely harbor. We arrived at the Mission office and headquarters for our interview with the brand new Mission President J. Alan Walker, who seemed as overwhelmed as we feel.
They also walked us around the corner to the Church Area Offices to meet with the Pacific Area President, Elder O. Vincent Haleck. He was born in American Samoa and was serving as President of the Samoa Apia Mission when he was made a 70.
Elder and Sister Briggs then took us to dinner at a Mongolian Barbecue place called Ghengis Khans. Delicious! We were hungry by then but not as hungry as we were tired.
That was the completion of our long first day in the mission field. We fell into bed after getting back to our motel feeling a little over whelmed - more like a lot overwhelmed with all that we would be expected to do and wondering if we would be able to adjust and do any of it. Just getting around will be challenging on these busy roads where everyone drives on the wrong side. After prayer we crawled into bed hoping that a little sleep would make the hurdles to cross a little less daunting.
We know a little better how all of you missionaries felt humbled by your first day. We thought of Aaron carrying his broken down luggage for miles on his first day in Brazil (He had just told us that story at the airport) and we were thankful for Elder Briggs and his nice car.
I'll close with a Lord of the Rings quote sent to us by Alex,
"It's a dangerous business, Mom and Dad, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to."
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