Last Transfer Day

Today was transfer day. The last one of our mission. The next transfer for the Colorado Springs mission we will either be home, or caravan-ing north on I-25 with home in sight. These pictures are of a previous transfer day... today we had snow and cold. Still you can get an idea of the logistics of relocating dozens of missionaries, their baggage and their bicycles. They are headed to new assignments in four different states. It's an exciting day for them, sometimes mixed with uncertainty or even a little sadness over leaving the people to whom they have ministered as well as those with which they have served. Volunteers drive to Colorado Springs from all corners of the mission. Some drive for over five hours. Before the actual transfers begin, the President conducts a brief meeting with all the missionaries being transferred and also those who just arrived. He introduces the new missionaries and Sister Pfile reads a short bio of each one. Then with a bit of drama, he makes a guessing game out of where these new missionaries will go and whom their trainers (first mission companions) will be. It's fun for the missionaries and creates a sense of excitement and anticipation. After the President is done, he and the zone leaders head to the mission home for a two day training session. At that point the Vehicle Coordinator is left to manage the ensuing chaos- with the help of the Assistants to the President (affectionately known as the "APs"). In the end, all the missionaries are safely on the way; loaded in the correct cars going to the right locations. Not always so with their "stuff", but eventually even that finds its way. Fred has always done a very good job of organizing transfer days, though it definitely tested his patience. He might have been known to be a little crabby- but only briefly. He says he won't miss this part of his mission assignment. Here's a little secret.. he will too miss it!!! He loves those missionaries. He will miss anything that allowed him to spend time with them, even if it was chaotic and tried his patience.

Just another one of many "lasts" for us. I don't like lasts, but how can you have more firsts if you don't have lasts? I will try to keep that in mind.

Goodbye Hello

Missions seem to be a series of hellos and goodbyes. I LOVE hellos! Goodbyes are not my favorite, but they are inevitable. So are tears and smiles!

GOODBYE

We recently said farewell to the Richardsons and Beckwiths, who successfully completed their missions. Fred and Nancy are now basking in the warmth of their Phoenix home. Lynn and Sue served an at home mission, so are quickly filling their time with long postponed plans and projects. The memories made with these fine missionaries will always be a treasure. We are grateful for modern lines of communication that will help us stay in touch with our mission friends.

HELLOTwo weeks ago we sat in as Elder and Sister Cherry were set apart as full time missionaries, serving an "at home" mission. They have taken our former duties as Fleet Coordinators plus some additional office duties. The Giffords arrived fresh from the MTC in October. They have become an invaluable asset to the mission. Four wonderful dedicated and willing servants of God! Each sharing their talents and hard work to assist in the labors of the Colorado Springs Mission. We are so very happy they are here. The only sad part is that we will serve with them such a short time before we head home. Still, we are grateful to get to know them.

SEVEN... very short weeks until we load up our van, trailer and u-haul then say a tearful goodbye to our mission and all the people we have come to love. Too many goodbyes! Yet some joyous hellos waiting for us at the other end as we are reunited with family and friends. Until then, we have seven weeks to continue working in the greatest mission of all!

A Man of God

We had an unforgettable experience on Friday night. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf came to speak to the cadets at the Air Force Academy. In response to Fred's request, he not only agreed to include soldiers and spouses, but asked for a private meeting after his address. About 1200 people poured into the beautiful AF Academy chapel. Though his words were specifically focused on the cadets, the principles had universal application. It was an inspiring experience.

Then after the devotional was over, Fred led our little band of about 80 soldiers and wives down several flights of stairs to a small choir practice room. We waited patiently to have just a few minutes of personal time with this beloved apostle. About 30 minutes passed as he gradually made his way through the crowd shaking hands and greeting people as he came.

When he walked into the room a Spirit of Love descended on all of us. It was as tangible as the warmth from the furnace. We quietly listened to his message of faith, courage and charity. What we thought would be just a few minutes became an hour, then thirty minutes more until he reluctantly and slowly made his way toward the door to leave. He answered every question with profound gospel truth. He testified of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ in many ways and with conviction. He communicated love in every thing he said and in the tears that welled in his eyes frequently. He expressed gratitude for the sacrifices the Army families make, and assured them that their cause was of the utmost importance. Although he was compassionate concerning their heavy burden, he did not dwell on the hardship. Instead he gave them practical and inspiring ideas about how to bear their burden.

He was sincerely reluctant to leave and we were reluctant to have him leave. We are so incredibly grateful for his attention to and love for these soldiers and their families. As we ended a very long evening, I felt as though I had been sitting at the feet of the Savior. In many ways it is true. For we sat at the feet of an Apostle filled with the Savior's love. What a joy, a privilege, and an amazing blessing. This will ever be one of the choicest experiences of my life.

Then and Now

Me with Grandpa- outside our family home on Baltic.

You've heard people say "time flies", I would add it can also evaporate before your very eyes. We have just completed the first decade of the 21st Century. I think of our home as new, but we actually moved in 30 years ago in December. In a few months our oldest grandson graduates from high school and our oldest daughter reaches the big 4-0! Yes, time is simply disappearing. In fact, 12 short weeks from today our mission ends. We still have time to do some good work and enjoy the friends we have made, but 12 weeks boils down to 2 transfers and they happen in a blink of an eye. I sometimes feel a a little melancholy as I consider the passing of time. Then again, we have had such wonderful experiences and joyous memories that it is fun to know we can enjoy both "then and now". With that thought in mind, I intend to make the most of these last few weeks so that they will become a fond memory and a joyful "then".

Here a few pictures of our history in Colorado- now and then!

The North Pole


Our 1974 apartment in Widefield- and how it looks today.


The yard of Grandma's house in the 70's and 2009.


Our quarters on Fort Carson 1974 and 2008. (also some then missionaries and a now missionary!)

Happy 2010!!!

Catch up

I have been unable to add posts to my blog for the last few weeks, due to technical difficulty. NO REALLY!!! I actually did try and could not "sign-in". Misti had the same trouble when she tried to add something to her blog from our computer, but she figured it out. Then told me what I needed to do. So here we go. Lots has happened over the last few weeks. I will try fill in the gap a little at a time as I think of things to share. They may not be in any logical order because that is how my brain works these days. For now here are some picture highlights:

Thanksgiving... friends, food, traditions and games!

Santa visits, family fun & the North Pole!

No Trunky Missionaries !!!

That reminder courtesy of Mike & Kelli who drew our name for the family ornament exchange.

No, we are not "trunky"... well not exactly. We have plans to finish strong, but we are aware that we have less than 3 months left in our mission.

There you go for now... but watch for more pictures to come. IF... I can find which file actually contains the rest of the downloaded pictures from the last two months.

Vinyl-ish-ous

My daughter, Misti, has a vinyl lettering business. I saw her fall crafts on her blog and ordered a few vinyl pieces for a project. She surprised me and sent a whole bunch of fall vinyl cutouts. Here are the projects I completed. WOW! Even I have a crafty side- well at least I can peal and stick!

Thanks Misti- I am hooked!

Flash backs and traditions

In 1984 Fred went to Officer's Candidate School in Tennessee. He was gone over 2 months. It was a long and lonely time for him, away from his family. Plus we ALL missed him terribly. So one FHE I traced each of our 7 kids on newspaper end roll and made paper doll cut outs. They each drew on the details and wrote a message to their dad. We put them in a large envelope and sent them off. He loved them, though he paid a price in daily push-ups to keep them hanging.

Fred in 1984.

October 15th was our 40th anniversary.

Our kids organized a delightful surprise.

32 paper doll cutouts of our children and grandchildren came to us in individually wrapped celebration boxes. We had so much fun! This was the perfect gift for two old missionaries missing their family. The pictures below show our guest room, covered wall to wall and nearly floor to ceiling with cutouts of our family. I know the pictures aren't great, but its the best we could do. You have to be here to really appreciate this sight, which will stay up until we head home!

Martha Stewart may not approve,

but this is my favorite way to decorate a guest room!