Our Mission Comes to a Surprising End - March 2013

As most of you know, we had to bring our 23-month mission to and early end.  The last week of February we learned that our youngest grandson Blake, whom we had not seen, had contracted a rare form of Epilepsy and in addition he had a condition that would require surgery as soon as possible called Chiari Malformation.

After much prayer and contemplation we determined that our family at home needed our assistance as soon as possible.  Ann packed and was headed home within 48 hours of that decision.  Tom followed three weeks later after getting replacements trained at the archives that could carry on .

We have not second guessed that decision since it was arrived at.  We hated to leave early having a long "Bucket List" of things remaining to do with YSA, Missionaries, Travels, etc.

There will always be a special place in our hearts for all our friends in New Zealand.  We loved serving there and hope that our efforts brought and will bring happiness to those we touched in equal portion to the happiness their contact brought into our lives.

An update on Blake...he's had surgery and the seizures seem to be under control.  It's a day to day experience with most good.  He's had one major seizure in the past week that had us wondering if we were going to lose the little guy, but today he's hanging in there and getting better daily.  Thanks for all your prayers and thoughts!

These last few photos are of us at the airport...

Here we are at Ann's departure on Sunday the 24th of February

With dear friends Lorraine and Roy Ditchburn

With President and Sister Kezerian our great
Mission President and wife Sandy

Here's Ann with just a few of the YSA young ladies

Here we both are with the YSA that came
to the airport for Ann's departure

Here are some photos from Tom's March 16th departure

Elder & Sister Nom from Hamilton came to Tom's departure

Of course Lorraine and Roy came by

And a great group of YSA came to send me off...thanks!

Seems that Sisters Paki and Kennach were left out of the photo array.  Thanks for your support being there!

We Love you all!