Summer time and the livin'....

While I have been struggling with what retirement really means, real life has taken over. I guess it is not so important to identify your stage of life as it is just to keep on living it. We have been home from our mission for over 3 months. Our "First" mission will always have a special place in my heart. Once in a while my mind wanders and I find myself day dreaming about Colorado. On the other hand, We are having some grand experiences  and filling our life with family, friends and projects.

Progress! Our home is receiving a face lift and it is going to be gorgeous.

Our Salsa Garden tradition returns. Tomatoes, chilies, garlic and a few extras. Stop by for garden salsa and chips this fall, but don't wait too long or you might just miss out.

Behind the tree and next to the shed you can see our Pumpkin Patch. I recently thinned smaller plants out and we now have 26 plants. I don't think the thinning is over. Keep your fingers crossed that come September this little patch will be filled with orange pumpkins.

Rain  & cool weather didn't dampen our Independence Day with family & our good friends the Munns.

We spent several days in the beautiful mountains near Lewistown Montana as we assisted with our Stake Girl's camp. Fred helped lead the 4th year hike. Two days and nights and 18 miles of grueling terrain with some pretty tough young women. A confidence builder for the girls, a back breaker for Fred.

Additionally we spent 8 days with our three darling grandchildren in Spokane while their Mom and Dad went to Alaska. Thanks Ashton (6), Chloe (4) and Oli (almost 2) for taking it easy on your old grandparents!

We still have a 40 yr High School reunion, a family reunion and a trip to Oregon before summer is over.

A busy life is a good life!

Figuring out retirement

We are home and I'm finally feeling like it! Our first  post-mission month has passed in a blur. Our home has been filled with family; our garage with boxes. I guess you really can say our life is "full". Sorry, I guess maybe that's what retired people do- make really bad jokes. Our "to do" list continues to grow, and  yet the only deadlines we have are self imposed. I still have the "we can't play until our chores are done" mindset. Wonder if I will ever get over that one. We have new church callings. Family history consultants- both. Priest advisor- Fred. Assistant camp director- me. Fun! I love that we are given callings and have the privilege of being involved in the work of the church. Do I miss the mission? Yes, but not as much as I did. I started missing the mission a little in January, when our duties changed. I miss being mission busy and doing mission work. I miss the pervasive sense of purpose I had in mission life. I miss sooooo many people. Yes I miss the mission. But I love being home. I love running into friends at Smith's grocery or Wal-mart. I love seeing neighbors as we get the mail each day. I love having my mother,  plus some of my daughters, sons-in-law and grandchildren so close. It feels good to reconnect with our ward family. It's comfortable to drive familiar streets and see familiar sites. Some things changed in our absence, but most are the same. Yes, it's good to be home! I still don't have retirement figured out. I think that will come eventually. Probably about the time we put our papers in for another mission!

Project #1- Our 30 year old home is receiving a face lift.

Dr. Fred is on the job!

You know you are home when....

Side of Hay with your Big Mac?

Honest to goodness, no digital retouch-
this is what we saw at our first stop in Montana.
Oh how I love this state!
Yes....We are home!!

Mission accomplished

When I started this blog, I intended to use it to share our missionary experience. In the end I have shared some glimpses of life- during our mission. Subtle difference, yet different still the same. I wonder how anyone can really share a mission through pictures and words. As I review the posts from the last 18 months, I have a sense that I did not quite succeed with what I set out to do. So I will make one last post from our mission before we start our trek home in less than two days.

This mission was about love! That's it plain and simple.

Never in my life have I been more sure of our Heavenly Father's love for His children. All of His children. My heart has been softened time and time again as I see the effect of the atonement of Jesus Christ in my life and in others. I have never before grown to love so many people so quickly. We have read from the Book of Mormon daily with the focus of lifting others. I can not adequately express how my love for the words from this sacred volume of scripture has grown. My love and appreciation for church leaders at all levels has been strengthened. I have gained a deep sense of gratitude for the Priesthood and those who honor it. My prayers are sweeter as they are often expressions of love. Separation from our family has only proved to increase my love for them and gratitude for the Gospel of Jesus Christ that binds us. Fred and I have grown closer in every way. We have had sacred experiences which have not only enlarged our testimonies, but have connected us in a way that is impossible to explain.

Yes it is hard to leave. Yes it will be hard to be released as full time missionaries. But I have not one regret. The time has come. Our mission is all but over and I can feel it. My mind and heart has turned to home and family. I am anxiously anticipating many joyful reunions. We will bring home many keepsakes from our mission. Pictures, gifts, letters, and more. We will have cherished memories to share. Above all we will have the gift of Love.

CES Broadcast

Sunday night we had about a dozen Young Single Adults and a few "oldsters" to our home for dinner and a Church Education System Broadcast. For us this has been a regular event over the 18 months of our mission. We love it! We fix a LOT of food (consider it an added incentive) and we seldom have left-overs. Together we watch an inspired message from a church leader on the BYU channel. Afterwards we have dessert and a discussion on the topic. This time we learned about the importance of choosing and being good friends and mentors. Then we socialize and maybe play some games. We love these fine young people. We will miss them. We will miss so many things. Just like we missed so many people and things at home while we were gone! Thus is life. I am just happy we are blessed with good friends in two beautiful states!

So there you have it. Another last for our mission. There won't be many more because we are running out of time. Nine days to go!

More men of God

Another inspiring event in our mission! Elder L Tom Perry came to instruct us. He was sharp, humorous, wise and inspiring. We were so blessed to be in the presence of this apostle- another of the Lord's servants. In the picture on his left is President Halstrom (of the 70) and on his right is Elder Funk (an area authority, but soon to be a mission president). These fine men also spoke to us. President Pfile conducted the meeting and shared some inspiring and motivating comments. A truly amazing and memorable experience! And another last for us in this mission. Still....I can't feel to sorry for myself. Twice a year we all have the opportunity to receive inspiring messages from servants of the Lord. So I will just look forward to April's General Conference- and sitting in our own Montana home listening to General Authorities and other church leaders. How blessed are we to be part of this great church and this great work.

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!!!