Final Week

This past week I have been surrounded by boxes in the apartment trying to separate the things that will be stored, things that we will give away, things that we will take back home. Our friends who left two weeks ago sent home 13 large boxes and their car was so full they couldn't possibly see out of the back window. I am determined that our experience will not be the same.

We had a full schedule last week (even with some illness) and have equally full days this week. We are just hoping that all can be completed by the weekend so we will have nothing to worry about the final two days. I am praying that Ed will heal completely before we have to get on the road next week.

The strange thing about leaving is that for the last month or so you look at things as being the last time you will do them. We will serve other missions, but it will never be like this again. Even if we are called back here, there will be different people, different assignments, a different apartment, etc. All of these things have combined to create such a wonderful experience for our first mission. It will always stand out and be special for us.

I am so grateful for this time as a missionary. We had a great assignment, a great branch, a great apartment on the top floor, great surroundings (walking through Temple Square everyday, sigh) and I had the best companion ever.

So. . . even though I am weepy much of the time, I feel peaceful that we have done what the Lord expected of us. We have served as well as we could and even though I know it is time to move to the next thing, it will be difficult to remove the badge for the last time.

I hope we will be able to put on another one soon.