FINAL MISSION BLOG POST (PART 2)

SO GRATEFUL FOR THE LOVE AND SUPPORT OF OUR WONDERFUL FAMILY! WE FEEL BLESSED BEYOND MEASURE FOR THE WARM WELCOME HOME!

THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR MISSIONARIES AND SENIOR MISSIONARIES FOR YOUR LOVE AND SUPPORT AS WELL. 

THANK YOU TO ALL THE PARENTS AND FOR THOSE WHO HAVE LEFT COMMENTS ON THE BLOG OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS. 

BEST WISHES TO ALL - PRESIDENT THOMPSON AND I LOVE YOU!

FINAL MISSION BLOG POST (PART 1)

FAMILY MEMBERS GREET US AS WE ARRIVE! 

 One of our former missionaries, aka Elder Duffy

 My father just turned 89 and will be living with us! Yay!

The Durban Airport

TIME TO LEAVE

AFTER 1096 DAYS (ACCORDING TO OUR CHILDREN) WE ARE LEAVING DURBAN AND RETURNING HOME TO BE WITH AND CLOSER TO OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN. THE EXPERIENCES WE'VE HAD IN DURBAN WERE LIFE CHANGING, MIRACULOUS, AND UNFORGETTABLE. IT HAS BEEN AN HONOR AND PLEASURE TO SERVE OUR HEAVENLY FATHER. WE HAVE LOVED EVERY ONE OF OUR MISSIONARIES AND THE MANY PEOPLE WE MET IN SOUTH AFRICA.

 President and Sister De Klerk (District President of Ladysmith) drove at least 7+ hours to surprise us at the airport to say goodbye! We feel so blessed to know them and grateful for their kindness to come and see us off! They are true examples of Christ and wonderful friends!

Elders Batista and Lubelwana were kind enough to drive us to the airport. We will miss these to very fine Elders.

Thanks Brittanie

Our oldest daughter goes back home a few hours before we leave!

Thank you so much to our daughter who not only helped me travel back to South Africa, but she was a tremendous help to her father and I in preparing his office and the mission home for the new Mission President and his wife.

 Thanks for traveling to all the Zone Conferences with us as well!

 We will miss you tremendously. Can't wait to see you in a few weeks in Utah!

The New Mission President Arrives

President & Sister Lines arrive in Durban!

 The new Mission President and his wife are welcomed by the Assistants and other missionaries. Their flight was delayed and although it was very late, we expressed a warm welcome and sang our traditional "Called to Serve" and "Come, Come Ye Saints" as we do with all new arrivals.

The song "Come, Come Ye Saints" has a lot of special meaning to President Thompson and I. Not only did the local radio station in Durban play it every day at the end of the day (so most people know the song), but it was the song that played as the demo in the old Tabernacle as I gave the acoustical demonstration to tourists, and President Thompson was the tour guide where we first met! We were both volunteers there, and worked there after we were married and were the last volunteers on Temple Square when it became a full-time mission for your missionaries!

 Sister Lines

 Sister Howell meeting President Lines

 The keys are passed to President Lines from President Thompson

 Brad Bricknell, our former Stake President, is now the facilities manager for the church. We have enjoyed our association with him over the past three years!

 We will miss you Sister Damon!!! We love you!

 Jane cleans the office and has a son returning from a mission very soon!

 Our office staff is amazing! What a pleasure it has been to serve with Sister Damon and all the other Senior Missionaries over the years!

 Elder and Sister Howell we will miss you!

 Many days and hours were spent at this board doing transfers.

Leaving the mission office for the last time!