The Return - "We're Home !!"

Well, this is not the way it is supposed to happen. And we are slow getting around to adding this overdue entry on our blog due to being caught up in all that comes with this new event in our life. I am very saddened to report that we have returned home and officially been released from our mission.
    We learned, while in Fiji by an emergency phone call from our daughter Haley, that Paula's mother had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.  We were told that they had discovered it early and that it could probably be surgically removed and she would, at worse, be diabetic afterwards.  So we returned to New Zealand concerned but hoping for the best with the surgery scheduled in a couple of weeks.
    The day of the surgery we couldn't wait to hear how things went. We were told that they had determined that the cancer was spread to various areas and there wasn't much they could do. So they only removed the gall bladder and closed up.  Needless to say, we were devastated to hear this terrible news.
    We are greatful we were able to "Skype" and be able to virtually be in the room after her surgery to get a feel of how she was feeling each day. (What a blessing Skype was for us while there !) We did feel quite helpless though we weren't sure how we would help if we were home. 
     So we had to ponder and pray about what we should do about returning home. I had my answer in a couple of days. It was impressed to me that, instead of should I go home or stay, that I should "simply support her in her decision".
    Paula, however, continued to struggle with her decision. I knew what her heart wanted to do. In fact, I thought as soon as I told her about the diagnosis in Fiji that we would shortly be on a plane. So I know it wasn't an easy thing for her to finally say "we need to go home!".  So, once she said those words, I began to contact our leaders to inform them of the decision.  They were wonderful, making special allowances to see that we could return.  They assured us they would love to have us return once things were settled, though we understood that there was too much uncertainty to keep them waiting for someone to help with the work.  So our return is open for now but we will need to assess further in a week or two. We love the good people we were privileged to work with in New Zealand.
    It was a quick and hurried departure to try to make it home and surprize everyone for Christmas.  And, oh, how hard it was to say goodbye to all the great people in New Zealand at work and from our Ward/Stake (many tears were shed).
     But it is great to be home with our family, even under difficult circumstances.  We are greatful to be able to help in some small way as we assist Jeri (Paula's mom) in her illness.  Our focus is where it needs to be right now and we can assess another opportunity to serve at a later time, though it will be hard to improve on the mission situation we were blessed to enjoy.  We will not soon forget all that took place in the Pacific Area Mission.
    So, I'll close this blog for a season with the hope we can invite you all back to continue a new chapter shortly.  In the mean time, feel free to contact us to re-aquaint.  Oh, one down-side to us leaving for the mission is we can't get back the phone number we had for some 40 years. Our new number is 801-217-3188.  Bye for now.....Allan and Paula.