Aunt Nila and Uncle Bud

We were excited to have a visit from Aunt Nila and Uncle Bud.  They have had a wonderful trip the last few weeks.  They flew into Melbourne (I think to visit an old college friend and then took a flight to Sydney where they boarded a cruise ship.  They have seen much of Australia and Tasmania and much of New Zealand before docking in Auckland on Sunday.  They toured Auckland Sunday and we picked them up early Monday morning and spent the day with them before taking them to the airport that night.

It was a delightful visit.  The four of us headed for Hamilton so they could at least see the temple there even though we knew it was closed as would be the visitors center and the Museum.  We had a bit of good luck or a small miracle because the Museum had cars parked by it and when we walked up to it the door opened.  There were missionaries who were having departure interviews with their mission president there.  The museum was closed but we happened to meet Rangi Parker coming out and spent a good hour listening to her miracle stories.

We walked around the temple, drove to the church owned camp above the temple and walked through its beautiful Bush.  We stopped a Pokeno for their famous ice cream on our way back to Auckland.  All the while having a wonderful visit catching up on happenings in the families.

We began by taking them to the MTC for a look around
This is in President Thatcher's office

Bud, President Howes, and Nila outside the front door of the MTC

The four of us by the beautiful mural in the Matthew Cowley Church History Museum of the Pacific

A nice man who lived in Templeview as a boy and was at the original dedication of the Temple.  He told us of the whole sea of native people gathered on the grounds and of President McKay walking out among them with his white hair and suit.  He took the picture for us and told us of his life

Nila and Rangi Parker - what a treat to 'happen' to meet her

Elder Thatcher and Uncle Bud on the Temple grounds

They were amazed at the amount of land around the Temple

We were so blessed that it wasn't raining - It was pouring as we left Manukau

Sister and Brother at the temple so far in time and place from their growing up years in Morgan

It wasn't opened but the day was still perfect

The flowers were happy to greet them

If you look closely you can even tell it is the flag of New Zealand 

The church camp is wonderful - Camp Tuhikaramea

New Zealand Ferns

Leaving our flat for the airport after a wonderful visit

Aunt Nila with her Harley Davidson bag

It was a delightful day.  It isn't often you have hours to visit with someone and we enjoyed every minute.  They had a long flight ahead of them but seemed to have thoroughly enjoyed their trip.  Melissa Neslen Watson their sweet daughter planned the itinerary for them and did an amazing job.  She had planned it down to the hour and gave them a book with everyday outlined for them.  We couldn't get over what she had put together.   Fly casual dear Uncle Bud and Aunt Nila.  See you both again before too long.  So happy you got to explore the land of the long white cloud.