Mission Complete

Well, I thought it was about time to close out our mission blog.  After about 34 months away from home, with a month break in between missions, we are home again in Morgan, Utah with family and friends.  We arrived home on the 7th of July after about 24 hours on the road, or more so "in the air."  It was difficult to leave our Finnish friends and missionaries in the land of lakes and trees.  We managed to work up until we left, so we had very little time to really think about leaving.  Our son Mark was with us the last week before we came home, and that was good for us as he helped us in the office and in our apartment.

Certainly being back home is a real change in our lives.  Everything was pretty much the same in Morgan, but I think we had changed and it has been a bit difficult readjusting ourselves to "civilian" life again.  The kids have done a great job of taking care of our home, but there are lots of odds and ends that need to be taken care of. We did get home in time for the Morgan County Fair and I was able to drive my Model A Ford in the parade with some grand kids and my daughter.

I will post a few pictures from our last few weeks in Suomi (Finland).

One more trip to Savonlinna to help the elders move and then a little side trip to the castle there.  It was a very rainy day but we had a great time.  A lot of history connected with this castle.

Also, Mark and I decided a quick trip to Tallinn was appropriate for his visit.  We had a great time listening to this group in the market square there.  The lady on the right just beat her stick, but they sounded really good.  Tallinn is a really fun place to visit.  Finnish chocolate is cheaper in Tallinn than it is in Finland.  However most of the Finns go there to buy cheaper beer than in Finland.  I think that too many of them drink up their purchases before they get back to Helsinki.  This is very evident when they exit the ship at the dock in Helsinki.



One more picture from Tallinn.

We needed all the help we could get to get our bags to the airplane.  Thank goodness Elder Thelin was there to help the cart from running away.  I think that we had 6 check-in bags and 2 carry-ons and a couple of personal items.  Have to be in pretty good shape to travel these days.  Every bag was within a couple of ounces of 50 pounds.  

Of course it was a super occasion to see the family when we arrived in Salt Lake.

New and old mission presidents and their assistants.

Flowers of all colors.  Lynne likes these pictures.

Nothing like buying fish from a boat in the harbor.

One last look at the trolley near the market place in Helsinki.

Fond memories.

Alone?

Helena and us.

The best companion in the world.

Home again.

Where does one stop thinking of all the memories and pictures from Finland.  It never ends and it never will.  We had a wonderful time on our missions in Finland.  The temple mission was outstanding and our mission in the office will always be remembered.  We were truly blessed while away from home.  It is always comforting to know that when you are are involved with the work of the Lord, He will look after you and your family.  It was a special time to be in Finland with my wonderful wife.  We grew together as we served together during this time.  

Our love and thanks to all of you.  May tomorrow always be better than today. 

Love,  Rick and Lynne