Mission Release & Report

August 17th:  I met with Pres. Gordon W. Tanner today to receive my release. He's been such a wonderful Stake President.  He was serving on the High Council previously when I struggled through a very difficult time in my life.  He's a man I admire as a great spiritual leader.  We had such a wonderful talk about the work I'd done, and the blessings received by me and the people I served.  Truly, the greatest blessings in life come from helping others.  I felt spiritually lifted by being with him, and also knowing I had been doing the Lord's work on my mission.  It was most difficult when he symbolically asked me to give him my badge.  The tears flowed in realizing my missionary service in the Dallas Texas Mission is now completed.

August 31st:  I had the blessing of reporting my mission to the high counsel today.  I'm so grateful for these wonderful priesthood leaders.  They've been at my side through so many experiences.  Today was yet another of those many times.  They asked me to share a few experiences I had while I served and to share my testimony with them.  There was an amazing spirit in the room as I told them of my love for the people I served, and the many ways they served me.

The Savior has been on my right hand and on my left.  He has carried me through storms and sunshine.  With him I am never alone and always conscious of the blessings I have.  My heart is full and I'm in awe that I have the gospel in my life!  I felt very loved and cared for in the presence of these men who honor their priesthood.  I felt their love and prayers for me while I was gone.

September 7th:  Today I reported my mission to Novelty Hill Ward.  This is the ward I've lived in for 13 years.  It was a wonderful experience to look into the faces of all the ward members who supported and prayed for me while I was gone.  I felt very blessed and happy to share some of the experiences I had in Plano.  My testimony of the gospel has grown so much.

                                                                   

I also had the opportunity to share these feelings with several wards in the stake due to requests from  brothers on the high counsel.  I felt a special connection to everyone in those wards and encouraged them to reach out to the lonely and those with special needs.  I shared my testimony of missionary work and asked them to consider serving in this special calling.

  

The Savior prepared me for this mission with all the callings he gave me through the years.  That has been the major factor in helping me have compassion and love for others.  Serving in Relief Society, Primary, and Young Women's organizations gave me the skills I needed so often while on my mission.  These callings were the pathway to who I am today.  My heart is filled with joy that I learned to reach out to His children, and help others who suffer pain and sorrow.

Arriving Home

Ann and I drove 3000 miles to get here.  It was a long trip, and I doubt that either of us will do that again in this lifetime.  How wonderful it was though!  We visited temples along the way from Oklahoma City, through Arizona, New Mexico, California, and on up the coast to home.  It was breathtaking to visit these states and see the beauty Heavenly Father has created in this world.  They  were each designed and decorated to fit the area, and it was the same beautiful spirit and feeling in each one.  This was a long awaited dream to me as I've always hoped to visit many different temples.  These are only a few pictures of the 11 temples we saw.  We went into almost all of them with the exception of a couple that were closed for cleaning, remodeling, or new construction.  The following are pictures of Gilbert Arizona, San Diego, and Albuquerque.

It seems strange that I'm home from my mission already!  My heart will always be filled with love and gratitude for the people who live in Plano.  I will forever be happy that I was called to serve there.  Leaving that influence and the spiritual growth I shared with them breaks my heart.  However, those blessings will continue to flow in the years ahead.  Life is ever changing, and Heavenly Father takes care of us all as we move forward.


I do love coming home to the greenery, the mountains, and the water.  I missed that so much while I was gone!   My heart took a leap as we drove into the evergreens.    Got here on Monday and will be leaving on Thursday for Dan & Aubrey Guenther's wedding in Utah.  It will be a happy time to see them again and my wonderful grandsons.  I've landed at Jenny's home.  My sweet little granddaughters make me feel so happy to be here.  Oh the joy of children and grandchildren!


When we returned from Utah I got to spend a day on beautiful Lake Washington with my family!  Christina and Todd got a new boat this summer and we had a wonderful day together!  I felt like I was in Heaven again being in the evergreens, enjoying the water, and laughing with my kids and grandkids.  It's a full and happy life!  Todd, Shaun, Cade, Jenny & her girls, Rafael and Brandon in the top picture.  Jessica, Christina, Cody, and Brandon in middle picture.  Shaun kids, Grace, Brendan, and Joshua in bottom picture.

The Last Few Days

My sweet friend Ann Venn flew in on Thursday July 31st, to drive back home to Redmond.  It's the sign of a true friend who would be willing to drive all those miles to get me here for my mission, and then return to drive with me home again!  The church doesn't allow us to drive alone.  They feel we need a companion after we have been set apart to be a missionary.  Needless to say, Ann had her hands full with me!  On the way here I was a bit dazed about all the changes in my life.  Now I'm dealing with the emotions of leaving people I've grown to love so much.  She's my mortal anchor while I'm in the midst of all these feelings!


Friday we took Ann to meet some of the sweet people we've worked with.  We took her to the nursing home to visit Sis. Alarcon & Adams, and then to the Nelms, and Sis. Lawson. She got a little feel for what we've been doing and seemed to understand the love and blessings we've enjoyed on this mission.  Ann and Marjean are two of my dearest friends!  Helena was a most difficult farewell for me!  I've cherished my sweet friendship with her, and fear I won't see her again in this life.  Deloris and Morris have also become very dear and wonderful friends.  Oh, how I will miss being with them!

Saturday was a very busy day for us.  We spent some of the day packing.  Ann & Marjean attended the temple for the endowment session for Lynn & Tina Coleman.  Sis. Hulse and I couldn't attend because we were having dinner with Pres. & Sis. Taylor at their home, and receiving our release.  

It was the first time I had met the Taylor's as I had been sick when they arrived and greeted the missionaries at the zone meeting.  They shared their testimonies with us and then asked each of us to do so.  It was a very sweet and special experience.  After a final interview with Pres. Taylor, we returned to the temple for the sealing of Tina & Lynn.  

Tina has been less active in the church, but came back recently and was sealed to her husband and daughter.  Tina & Lynn are in the center with their daughter Chloe standing next to me.  Their father and husband Morris has not yet accepted baptism, but we are all still hopeful!

                                              

                            

Sunday we attended the 9th and 3rd wards where we also shared our testimonies and said our final goodbye's to so many great people!  They pulled me into their lives, and became my family away from home.  I had no idea how precious my time would be with them.  Yes, I loved serving the lonely, sick, and those in sorrow.  I found joy in fellowshipping new members.  I found joy in working with less active members and seeing them return to the fold; but I have also been served and loved by them.  The brothers and sisters in the wards have championed our efforts with their love and support!  "Such special memories for me to always cherish."

Final moments as I say goodbye to my friend and companion RaNae Hulse.  Her son came to drive her home.  They're taking a road trip on the way home which is also the plan with Ann and I.

             "Going home...but leaving home!  Tender and precious feelings!"





Hard to Say Goodbye!

I cannot begin to explain how difficult it's been this month to say goodbye to the people I've grown to love on this mission!  It's been a tearful time for me as I realize there are many here I will never see again.  I've done a lot of work with those who are sick or in nursing homes.  My memories of them will always be treasured, and I can only hope to see them again in the eternities!  Sister Helena Lawson, Roberta Adams, and Theresa Alarcon where our nursing home sisters. They've touched my life with their love, faith, and happiness; in spite of the hard times they're experiencing.

The ward members have been very supportive, and cared for us in so many ways.  I think I've gained 10 pounds just this past month as we've been invited to many dinners and parties before we leave.  Sis. Joyce Richmond is a ward member who has had us over many times.  She and her husband are in their 80's, but are ward missionaries and very involved in the missionary effort.  I think they have other callings in the ward as well.  She had us over for a small luncheon with a few sisters in the ward to say goodbye.  She's a marvelous cook, mother, wife and grandmother AND sister in the gospel.

We were invited to Bishop & Sis. Lucero's home for dinner on a Saturday evening before we left.  When we walked in we were surprised with a huge party open house, that included all three wards we've served in!  All three bishops were there, the stake president, relief society presidents and many ward members.  We were told at the end of the evening that someone had counted about 90 people!  It was so much fun enjoying a wonderful dinner and evening with our friends!  It was very emotional as I went around talking with everyone.  I've been so blessed to be able to work with these people and find such loving and caring brothers and sisters.  I'm excited to go home to my family, but will miss this so much!  Marjean, the Lucero's & Allan Bird put it all together and received help from many others.


I was so surprised when I went in that all I could do was stand there and cry!  Allan Bird and Bert Dixon did an amazing BBQ.  The reception table had a book for each of us that everyone signed, and of course, Texas cookies!  Our sweet missionary sisters gave us each a beautiful book "Women of the Old Testament." Marjean decided to pretend to be a missionary.  She definitely qualifies as she's served us with such love and warmth!

                                                                                           

                                                                               

Even after this wonderful surprise party, there were still more surprises to come!  Bro. & Sis. DeMille in the 3rd ward were called to be missionaries to the adult singles over 60.  They've been meeting once a month for FHE.  We have supported this effort as we've encouraged the single sisters to come and helped with their transportation.

The last meeting we had ended up also being a surprise party arranged by Allan Bird & Marjean (again).  Can't begin to express how much love these wonderful people in Texas have for each other and everyone!  Top left:  Sis. Smith, Sis. Putnam, Diana York, Jim Tryand, Ruben Villareal, Allan Bird, Julia Bell, Karen Wood, Marjean Nielson Front row:  Me, Sis. Hulse & a visit from Sis. Campbell  Bottom:  Allan Bird.



Goodbye to Pres. & Sis. Durrant

This is a picture of Pres. & Sis. Durrant & all the WAS Sisters, Sis. Putnam, Sis. Harris, Sis. Hulse, Sis. Smith, Me, Sis. McCarthy Sis. Clark, Sis. Campbell.  We were invited to the Mission Home for a "get acquainted" lunch and to say "goodbye" as they return home from their mission. They've been such amazing leaders for us missionaries.  They've been working with about 260 missionaries while we've been here!  That is no small order when you consider the amazing council they've continually given; including calling all of us on our birthdays, and anytime there were health or other problems to be dealt with.  We have four new sisters that just came in last week.  He told us our mission now has more WAC Sisters than any other mission. 

Michelle McMillan is a sweet, less active sister we've become friends with.  Her husband is a non-member.  She has two daughters that were active when they were teens, but have fallen away.  We love her!  She and her husband are very talented working with wood as a hobby, and she makes beautiful wooden pens.  She comes out to church and some of the Relief Society activities occasionally.  We're hopeful she'll be able to get her husband interested sometime so they can enjoy the blessings of the gospel together. 

Sis. Putnam & Sis. McCarthy are going to take our place when we leave in August.  We've been training them this past week.  They are very sweet missionary's.  It will be so nice to have them continue visiting some of the dear, sweet people we've loved and cared for here.  Sis. Putnam is from Randolph, UT which is near Bear Lake.  Sis. McCarthy is from San Diego, CA.

Visit with Samantha

Haven't seen this precious little girl since she was about 10 months old shortly after she left the hospital.  I made arrangements with her mom to visit with them before I left from my mission.  I was so delighted to see them coming toward the building where we met.  I walked up to them and said, "Hi, Samantha!"  She immediately reached her arms out for me!  Her mother was shocked and said,  "She never goes to anyone she doesn't know, let alone stays in their arms!"


That was the perfect way for me to say goodbye to this little miracle!  Amazing that she still remembered my voice and face.   All those months of rocking her, talking to her, and loving her in the hospital came flashing back.  Now here she is 1 1/2 years old and walking....no running!  She was only 1 pound 4 ounces when she was born in November.  At our first visit in March she was 7 pounds 13 ounces, but still having breathing problems.  She is still tiny, wearing size 6-9 month clothes, short, and still has to use the trek, but is full of energy and happy!

The Long Line of the Lonely

We were asked to teach Relief Society in Plano 3rd Ward.  They told us we could choose the topic, so we decided to introduce the sisters to "The Long Line of the Lonely".  The subject came from a talk by Pres. Monson several years ago.  He was referring to the many widow's he had served when he was a bishop.  It seemed appropriate to share it at the end of my mission, as a testimony of this opportunity to serve and grow.  I shared some experiences we've had while serving our mission here in Plano, and told them about the lonely sisters we've seen.  These sisters were widows, homebound, in nursing homes, and suffering with tragedy in their lives.


"First, let me take you to the nursing home.  It's a big facility.  The owner keeps the gardens beautiful, but it is evident that this nursing home is for those who don't have much money.  It's probably funded, in part, by the state.  As you enter and begin to walk down the hall you notice several elderly people sitting in wheel chairs along the way.  They have a distant look in their eyes. 


There's an oriental man who doesn't talk, but always looks at us and puts his hand out.  He just wants someone to acknowledge him and hold his hand for a moment.  Continuing on we find a sweet woman who looks to be about 45.  Her head is leaning to the side, as she cannot support it.  She has Muscular Distrophy.  We stop to say "Hi", and bend down to look into her face.  We always say, "Hi, Daryl, how are you doing today?"  Her answer is continuously, "I'm fantastic!"  She likes chocolate, so we received permission to bring her a small piece when we come.


Ruth is another woman we met there.  She gets around better than most of the people.  She's always happy to see us, and knows we're missionaries for the church.  She enjoys having a short visit with us.  Another woman along our route is always sitting in a chair.  She smiles when she sees us coming, and usually has some nice comment about our clothes.  She has some mental problems and talks about strange things sometimes. 


There are many others we greet as we move along to our destination.  We've been visiting Sis. Adams every week since we arrived.  She's flat in bed, and rarely able to sit up.  She has a very strong testimony of the gospel, and often asks us about things she wants to share with the people there.  She's very smart and has been interesting to talk with.  As the time has passed she's begun to sleep more, and sometimes talks about the little bird that comes in and sits on her shoulder.  We see her breaking up bread crumbs for him.  He's a place she goes in her mind when she's lonely.....


Sis. Alarcon is our next stop.  She has Alzheimer's, but always greets us with a smile.  She's a beautiful sister who grew up in Chili.  She's in the advanced stages of the disease now.  It was very difficult for her daughter to accept that she needed more care than she could give at home.  We read  stories to her from children's books.  She likes the pictures so we try to find ones that are extra colorful.


We visit many other sisters every week, a young girl who struggles with alcoholism, another young woman with Alzheimer's, a blind sister, and others who are having severe health problems.  In each case they're in need of extra love.  There are so many people in this world who are displaced or alone.  Perhaps it's the person sitting next to you at church.  Perhaps you thought she had everything she ever needs, but each one of us suffer with trials and loneliness at times.  I love the following quote:
"The best way to survive loneliness is to redirect our tremendous hunger for connectedness.  For we have no power to make others understand or value us.  We can, however, make a spiritual practice of trying to understand and value others".


Yes, loneliness is a tremendous hunger and yearning to be connected.  People always need people.   Heavenly Father knew and understood that need.  He's patterned his church to fulfill that need in each of His children.  We are indeed the instruments he uses to care for each other.  It would be well for us to be more conscious of that as we live our lives. 


The thing I've learned most while serveing here is the great capacity I have to love everyone.  That has become my joy and my strength.  I will forever be grateful for the blessing of serving on this mission.  As I've done so, I've found wonderful friends and known the blessings that come from bringing some light into the eyes of my sisters.  I see them as someone I once knew, before I came to earth.  It's been a joyful reunion!"