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!