The end is in sight

I can't believe how quickly the time has gone by yet at times it feels as though we have been here forever, but our mission  is coming to an end. We will be leaving the Jo Vos in good hands.  Elder and Zuster Romig from Salt Lake are moving into our apartment and taking over the duties of supporting these young folks who we have learned to love.  I know we will keep in touch but it will not be the same as seeing them on a regular basis.

Some of the young ones have just required a hug and a meal while others have actually needed a second set of parents to guide them along the way.  They have learned that Ben can answer their gospel questions and I can fill their stomachs and provide a shoulder on which to cry. Hopefully some of the advise we have shared will be put to some use when the time comes for them to make major decisions in their lives.   We have shown them that it is possible to be married for almost 50 years and still love each other and more importantly, we have proven to each other that we can spend 24/7 together and still not give up.  I really could not have asked for a better companion. We have been able to put up with each other very well and are very grateful for that.

One of our Sister Missionaries told me the other day that she had always had a bad impression about marriage and really was not looking forward to getting married.  She said that she had actually noticed that Ben and I  truly love each other and that we do not have negative feelings toward each other.  She admitted that she would love a marriage like ours and has changed her mind about the situation.  Hopefully she will find someone who is worthy of her love.

I was released as Relief Society President and it was a very tender moment.  I love the sisters in our Branch and have really loved serving them.  The sister I replaced has again been called to the position and she will resume in serving.  She has appreciated the time off to get some rest and hopefully learned how to let others help her along the way. She was really trying to do everything by herself and it was too difficult for her. I hope I have also learned that lesson because of this calling here.  Ben and I have visited her several times to study together and she has learned how to answer some of her own gospel questions.  And, she can always e-mail Ben if she needs help.  Technology is so fantastic when used in the right way.

We still have some loose ends to take care of  before we leave.  Ben is still in the Branch Presidency and another counselor will have to be called to replace him.  I am still going to handle the Relief Society Activity we have planned so there is still a lot to be done.  I am planning on giving away most of my clothes so I will have room in my suitcases for the "treasures"  I have collected while here in this beautiful land.  We will miss our homeland but know that we can always return for a visit.  We are just grateful that all of our children were able to come and visit us while we were here to see for themselves the places where their forefathers raised their families.

Serving this mission has been such a blessing to us and our family.  Yes, it has not always been easy to leave loved ones behind but the Lord has softened the pain by keeping us busy and giving us people to love and serve while here. The work will move forward and we all have an obligation to help it along.  A name tag is not needed to help bring people to Christ.  More than anything, it takes love for those around us and wanting them to enjoy this great plan of happiness and the spirit that accompanies that plan for us each day.  I hope the Lord will allow us to share our testimonies where ever we are and perhaps be an example to those around us in some small way.