Our Week of "Lasts"

We are in the middle of our last week.  Only a few days left of our Enlistment.  We have had our last early shift where we open up the building.  We have had our last shift with some of the Sisters.  We are going places for the last time.  It is bittersweet.  We have loved our mission. We look forward to going home, but how will we ever get along without the Sisters and the missionary blessings we have been enjoying?  I have no idea.

Last Monday night was a goodbye meeting at the Battalion for us and for Sister Wang.  The other seniors made a delicious dinner.  The Sisters came in to eat as they could.  Then after the last tour of the evening we had the meeting part.  We were given a spiral notebook.  Each page was written by those we have served with, even those who have gone home, about why they chose to go on a mission.  What a wonderful gift!  Sister Wang bore her testimony, then it was my turn, then Craig’s turn.  I am a cry baby from way back and the waterworks started almost immediately, but I said what I wanted to say: that I have a testimony of this Restored Gospel, and I love all of them.  All of the Sisters sang a hymn to us and I wasn’t the only one with tears!  There were lots of hugs and pictures and it was something I won’t ever forget.  I am glad that wasn’t our last night, though.

Our next morning shift had a slow start and all of the Sisters were signing journals for other missionaries.  Every missionary has a journal that others sign when they leave.  Some of the pages are very cute and imaginative.  We have been signing journals and having others sign ours.  That is a real treasure!

This week we had lunch with all four of the Mandarin speaking Sisters.  It was great.

Today was our last Sunday in San Diego.  We decided to go to the Mandarin Group.  The Sisters took turns translating and those who don’t know Mandarin wore headphones.  (We weren’t the only ones.)  It worked out really well.  I think translating would be very difficult, but Sister Chung and Sister Xia did a great job.  We could really feel the spirit.

Sister Xia translating

Sister Chung translated once the meeting started.

Usually there are two Sisters that take the tours together.  Sometimes just one, depending on the circumstance.  Occasionally before someone goes home three of them will take a tour together.  Lots of the Sisters wanted to take tours with Elder Robinson and he was happy to do it.  In one instance FOUR of them took the tour, Craig and three Sisters.  I wonder if that was a first?   They all had a fun time.

Craig's sleeve is on the left, three Sisters on the right. 

More fun memories, courtesy of the Sisters and my phone.

Since the lights weren't working, Sister Saathoff had to provide her own light via a flashlight in her mouth!

Kendama is all the rage around here.  Craig gets his two out when it is slow. Two Sisters had beginner's luck!