Meeting President and Sister Kezerian

On Saturday January 7th, we met President and Sister Kezerian at the Wellington Airport as they arrived back from an assignment in the mission and we were there to fly to the South Island for our new assignment in Westport.  We really enjoyed the hour or so we had with them and received guidance and counsel as well.  They were very kind and stayed with us until we boarded our flight. 

Nelson Airport on South Island

Salt Lake City to LAX then off to New Zealand

On the curb in Salt Lake ready to go!

We left Salt Lake on Monday - January 2, 2012 about 3:30 PM.  I can't tell you how many times we packed and unpacked our bags hoping to meet the weight qualifications.  Well, we finally gave up and were prepared to pay for anything over 50 pounds.  Try going away for 18 months with only 2 bags - girls just can't do it!!!!  Those bags were heavy to say the least.  Each of the 4 suitcases weighed anywhere from 60 to 65 pounds.  The N-I-C-E lady at the counter just smiled and told us to enjoy our mission.  Bless her heart!  That saved us a fortune.  

Holly stuck right with us and was such a help.  Hard to say good-bye!

We arrived in Los Angeles about 6:30 PM on Monday and our flight left at 9::30 PM.  The plane was huge - a 777.  We previously upgraded to Business Economy and had very comfortable reclining seats in the center of the plane with a TV.  Sure helped with the 13 hour flight to Auckland.  We didn't sleep very much.  We don't know if it was anticipation or just nerves but we were treated very well on the plane and had a wonderful flight.  We arrived in Auckland about 7 AM on Wednesday then flew from there  to Wellington arriving there about 11 AM.

 We were met by Elder and Sister Brazzeel, the office couple in Wellington.  President and Sister Kezerian were on assignment in another part of the mission at the time.  We were with the Brazzeels most of the day - having lunch, going by the Mission Office to check in and taking care of business.  Later that day, they took us to the beautiful Mission Home to stay until Saturday.  President Kezerian called and said he and Sister Kezerian would meet us at the airport on Saturday as they were arriving and we were leaving.  We would be able to spend a couple hours together.  He then asked if we would mind if our assignment was changed?  He needed us to serve in Westport, Westlands on the South Island of New Zealand.  We came to serve and that we will do!

Picture from the kitchen window of the Mission Home.  Note the beautiful Fern trees in back.  There was also a bird in the woods with the most beautiful song.  We have never heard the sound and it was music to our ears.

Entry to the Mission Home

Living Room

Lemon Tree

Elder and Sister Brazzeel (Office Couple) were so kind and helpful to us while we were in Wellington.  They were a wealth of information and drove us here and there introducing us to the area.

We had a get together with some of the other couples on Friday night before we left on Saturday to Westport.  Such great people and again found instant friendships.  L to R are the McVey's - Family History -They were from Highlands Ranch, CO, Turner's, Chesley's, Brazzeal's -Office, Overton's - Family History and Patchett's

Saturday Morning January 7th - Ready to fly to Nelson and then on to Westport.

Special Thanks to Holly and Joseph & Family

Foyer all decked for Christmas

We had only planned to stay with Holly's Family in Utah for a couple weeks but our Visa was delayed and we were there for about 6 weeks!!!!  We  appreciate their patience and kindness to us while we prepared further to leave the country.  We were able to enjoy all the Christmas festivities with their family as Christmas is our all time favorite season.  Thank you to each member of the family!

Santa and Elf Tree - So Pretty

Christmas Eve PJ's

Cardin and Max all ready for Santa to come

Thanks Gracie for giving up your room!

Thanks Livy and Ela for helping Gamma with hair & makeup

Thanks Jack for your " peaceable walk in the kingdom"

Christmas Eve Christmas Story

Livy's Preschool Performance

Max and Cardin love each other so much. 

Not much rocks their world - EXCEPT this dog!!!

Let's see you get them to look the same direction all at once!!!

Love these Grandbabies!

Brock Turner 6 in February

Olivia Rose 5 in June

Tanner Scoresby 5 in February

Ela Rose 7 in September

Davis Turner 11 in September

Hadley Scoresby 8 in July and will be Baptized

Clint Turner 4 in March

Gracie Rose 10 in February

McKay Scoresby 3 in February

Ashlyn Turner 10 in August

Jackson Rose 8 in February and will be Baptized

Cardin Rose 4 in November

Maxwell Rose 4 in November

Family Time Prior To New Zealand

Ashlyn, Jerry, Clint, Tina, Brock and Davis live in Quincy, Washington

 We were able to get together for Thanksgiving 2011.  We always have such a wonderful time!  The children are  so excited to see their cousins and the house is "electric" with their laughter!  It always feel so good to say "We Are A Happy Family"

Joseph, Holly, Ela, Maxwell "Max", Olivia "Livy", Cardin, Jackson and Gracie live in Eagle Mountain, Utah

Missy, Devin, Tanner, Hadley, McKay and Baby Brother #4 due any day now!  We are all so excited for the 14th Grandchild to arrive to be a part of our family. They live in Ammon, Idaho

A Few More MTC Pictures

Another favorite couple at the MTC - Elder and Sister Thurgood on their way to Oslo, Norway.

Great Couple!

Elder Turner standing by the original stone that President David O. Mckay quoted: "What E'er Thou Art  Act Well Thou Part".  President McKay was discouraged on his mission in Scotland and found strength and comfort when he read these words on a building.  Years later, the building was torn down.  This is a replica of that stone.  Elder Turner served his mission to Scotland as well and had this quote on his desk at work for years. 

One of the original copies of the Book of Mormon displayed behind glass at the MTC

Office Instructors

Each day from 6 to 8 PM we would go to the Legrand Richards building for our Office training.  There were only two of us this particular week.  Due to Christmas holidays, the staff wanted to push a week of training into 2 hours at night.  Normally, the room is full but we had one on one training from these 2 bright young men.  I am amazed at the endless duties and skills the office couples are charged with.  Again, a testimony as to the way the church covers everything and all programs run so smoothly.  We enjoyed learning about IMOS, Microsoft Word, Spreadsheets, Finances, Payments, Housing, Missionary Transfers, Opening and closing a house, Adding a new vendor, Receipts and Deposits, Security deposits, journal entries, Checks, Finance History, Vehicle Safety, Newsletters, MATS, Office Simulation and so much more!!!

Thank you Brother H________ and Brother Free!  Who thought Office Couples only answer the phone? Whew!