Our assignment to work in New Zealand for the past 15 months has come to an end. It has been an experience of a lifetime. Over that time we have met many wonderful people and experienced life in the Pacific Islands. We visited Samoa, Tonga, Tahiti, Fiji, Kiribati, Japan, Honk Kong, Australia, Korea and Roratonga. Even though those islands are very cool and its neat to say we were there the greatest experiences we had and the experiences that will burn the brightest in our memory will be the wonderful people we met and associated with.
Often times we met people that had what appeared to be very little (our standards), but those people seemed to be the most content. They are happy with life, they love their families, and are quick to express love and acceptance of strangers. What was demonstrated to us over and over was that all of these people on all of these islands have one thing in common with us and people back in America. They love the Gospel and being members of the Church. It becomes the link that binds us to each other around the globe. Their testimony of the Restoration, the Book of Mormon, a living Prophet, blessings of the temple and their desire to serve their fellow man makes them all unified. We came to love them like family and will miss them deeply.
Back in New Zealand we worked daily with many employees in the Area Office and the Mission office. We had wonderful activities with the FHE group. They all became our family away from home. Its difficult not to long for the island of the Long White Cloud.
On the other hand its great to be home. Customs greeted us with a smile and NO luggage inspection. Even though one piece of luggage decided to remain in California for an extra day we are all now reunited and are happy. We left summer and were welcomed to Utah with a great Christmas storm that left a new foot of the white stuff in our yard and on the roads. As of today we have avoided any accidents, have only driven on the wrong side of the road twice and have used my windshield wiper as a blinker about a hundred times!
We loved it and love being home. We know we will never forget the experiences we had in the Land Down Under. (New Zealand, not Australia) Check out the PICS...in Albums.
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2 comments:
Dear Bro. and Sis. Langford,
I have been "stalking" your blog for a while now and have enjoyed reading about your experiences while serving in New Zealand. It has been another way for me to feel closer to my missionary and learn more about the land and people in that part of the world. Sister Langford, the e-mail you sent me describing my son's activities while serving as an assistant will always be a treasure. Thank you for looking out after him! Best wishes to you both as you reunite with your family. Welcome home!
Colette Dinsdale
Elder Jeffrey Dinsdale's Mom
Hi, Cousin Bob, It's been a long time! Looks like you had a wonderful experience in NZ. I guess your son Dan contacted my sister Sherlene about some genealogy and she saw that he was in our line. So nice to hear and see some news from your beautiful family! How is your mother? It was so nice of her to come to my mother's funeral. Can't believe it has been four years since that time.
We have a blog but we don't blog very often.
lovefromaltheacourt.blogspot.com
Love, Cousin Charlotte Hall Weight
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