We talked to President Lekias about leaving Taupo a few days early, to allow us to see a little more of the north island. He said it would be fine! So we started packing our stuff so that we would be able to leave on our P-Day...Monday....drive to the far north, and back to Auckland by Thursday to fly out on Friday. We were worried about the weight of our luggage! We have accumulated so much stuff over the last 17 months!! We packed up boxes and boxes of stuff for Nara and Reuben to take back to Gisborne. I wanted them to have whatever they wanted, and then to let the ward members have anything else. I'm sure no one even wanted my funny old missionary clothes, but just in case, I boxed them up! We also had kitchen stuff, and bedding, etc...We dropped the stuff off in Rotorua at Reuben's cousin's house so that Reub's and Nara could pick it up after they came to Auckland to see us off at the airport. They are so good to us!!! I was so excited to be packing up our suitcases, knowing that we would be seeing our babies in one week!!! Crazy!
Our last week-end in Taupo, Smurf and Tania drove 5 hours from Gisborne to come say good-bye to us! How sweet is that?? Tania had her Nanny with her, too. I fixed them dinner....we barbecued steaks, chicken, and pork. It was really fun to see them one last time. They are going to come to the states sometime to visit us. We told them to wait a couple of years so they can take Amelia to Disneyland....Knowing Smuf and Tania, we know they will come! Yay!
Lonne and Smurf....
Notice that Smurf is even shorter than Lonne!
Smurf and Tania came over again on Sunday morning to say our FINAL goodbye....:(
Our last day at the Taupo ward....
The French family drove up from Turangi and came to church with us!
Hoani gave Lonne an awesome Taiha Stick. It is the one he has used for
competitions. It was hand carved just for him. Lonne was so honored to know that Hoani
thought enough of him to give him such a prized posession! We all got very teary
when it was time to say good-bye:( We really wanted to baptize Aroha.....
but we know it will happensoon. She just wasn't quite ready.
Peter, Lonne, Hoani, and Kingston French
Pinina, Me and Aroha French...
Wow, we're going to miss this fun family!!
After church, they had a "Linger Longer" luncheon....
We took a few pictures of the Taupo Ward Members.
Me and Dineen
These are most of the active members of the Taupo ward.
It's a very small ward...
The Spackmans and the Ellingtons
Bishop Harris's family
They are converts to the church....about 6 years ago.
Such a sweet family! He is doing a great job as bishop!
Monday Morning...we packed the car up, and headed out!!
Goodbye to Taupo, New Zealand!
Wow! Such mixed emotions!!!!
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