President and Sister Neil Leaving the Mission

                                       Outside Zone May 2011.

This is a letter the Neil's sent to all the missionaries who have served in Albania during their three years:

Dear Elders and Sisters!

Today (Saturday), as I sit here in the office trying to wrap up everything for President & Sister Ford, and preparing to turn over the mission to them next week, I’m feeling overwhelmed with gratitude for the great blessing it has been in our lives to have served here with you.  I was signing the release certificates for the Elders returning home in July, and getting all teary-eyed thinking about you…it feels like we’re leaving our children, only to go home to see our children.   You probably don’t realize how “attached” we’ve become to you…we feel about you in many ways the same as if you were our own children.  We pray for you every day (multiple times), and take great joy in your successes, and anguish with you in your trials.  We are astonished by your kindness and faithfulness, and see the goodness of your parents and family in your lives!  (Parents, thank you for loaning us your amazing sons and daughters for this work!)

We take great comfort in knowing that this is not OUR work, but it is Heavenly Father’s work, and that President & Sister Ford have been called by revelation to serve here.  They bring great faith, and their own talents and abilities, that will bless the lives of missionaries, members, and the people of Albania.  It would be so much more difficult turning things over to someone else if we didn’t know that it was Heavenly Father’s plan that we do so. 

Much love,

Marty & Liz

We'd like to leave you with a blessing---best expressed in the words of a song written by John Rutter called "A Clare Benediction."  

May the Lord show His mercy upon you;

May the light of His presence be your guide;

May He guard you and uphold you;

May His Spirit be ever by your side.

When you sleep, may His angels watch over you;

When you wake, may He fill you with His grace;

May you love Him and serve Him all your days,

Then in heaven may you see His face.