Our Mission in SWNY Ends

During the past month our branch friends have frequently made the comment, "I bet you're sure excited to get home!"  We answer, hesitantly, how much we've missed our family back in Utah and how good it will be to see them.  Thanks to Skype and Facetime we have been able to see all of them now and then via computer but its not like being with them in person.  Our newest little grandson Oliver, was born May 25th.  It will be so good to see all of them.

But we certainly will miss our friends in the Cattaraugus Branch.  Feeling a little conflicted yet excited too, on Wednesday, October 16, 2013, with the help of Elder Wood and Elder Hales, we loaded up our Chrysler Pacifica and drove away from the Cattaraugus mission area, the place where we had loved and struggled for eighteen months.  As we departed we felt a powerful sense of gratitude for this opportunity.  The eighteen months seemed “but a moment" yet they changed us forever.  Our hearts are filled with love for the people we’ve met, for the young Elders we served with, for our Heavenly Father and His son Jesus Christ, and above all, for the eternally important message of the Restored Gospel.  We have been so blessed!

A Walk With President Francis

President Francis encouraged us to make one more trip to Palmyra before we departed the mission.  On this last trip to the sacred sites President Francis led us on a walk through the woods east of the Temple and on the north and south sides of the Hill Cumorah; so many touching events to think about and such a privilege to be here in the Cradle of the Restoration.

A Fun Last Weekend with Jeff's Family

Before leaving for Utah we made sure we had one last fun weekend with Jeff, Scout, Tate, Calvin and Lars.  This time we rented the house on Seneca Lake LDS Girl's Camp.  Even though it was a rainy evening, the boys had bunches of fun playing with their new G.I. Joes under the lights in the sand volley ball pit under the metal roof.  The rain poured down outside but we were dry and having a great time.   Later, when the rain stopped we roasted hotdogs and made smores.  Sure do love that family!  And love that we've been able to see them several times in the past 18 months!

A "Linger Longer" and sweet Goodbyes

In a surprising and kind gesture, President Jones and his counselors planned a “Linger Longer” following church the last Sunday we were together for branch members to send us off with their love and appreciation. With lots of good food and most branch members in attendance it was sweet and memorable.  Such good friends!  Health Garlow, Judy Boehm, the Austins, the Shomers, the Joneses, the Nephews, Jackie Jamieson and her grandchildren, Myrna Snow, and so many others that had touched our lives and our hearts said their tender goodbyes.  The Jones family sang, “Come Unto Jesus” and “God Be With You Till We Meet Again.”

Roger and Kathy Elwell

Even though Roger and Kathy Elwell were not interested in our teaching them the gospel, they still seemed to enjoy our visits.  We have so many things in common that it was just natural when we were in Forestville we would stop and visit. The Elwells have a small grape farm.  Just a couple hours before we left for home we were able to see them harvested.  What an incredible aparatus!  I received a text from Sister Elwell on our way back to Utah saying this years crop was their best one ever!

Corline and Monty Campbell

Before leaving for home, Corline and Monty Campbell insisted on having us for dinner one last time.  These occasions with the Campbells will remain in our hearts for a lifetime.  Such good people and such great friends!  Every meal seemed like a banquet.  Corline is Cayuga Indian and Monty comes from hard working Polish ancestry.  The two have raised a large family with four biological children and six adopted children. The two are pictured here in a photo taken at our open house.  Also included is a photo Sister Corline took of us by her Azalia bush and two I took of their lovely home and surroundings.

The Dzienziels and Sister Found

A favorite monthly event was having dinner with Brother Ziggy and Sister Gunda Dzienziel and Sister Mary Found.  We enjoyed being with these folks so much, filling ourselves with delicious food, one month at Sister Found’s, the next at the Dzienziels.  Brother Ziggy and Sister Gunda are immigrants from Germany and Poland who experienced extreme hardships during the war.  They would touch on these as we visited at dinner and Sister Gunda always thrilled us with her delicious German dishes.  Prior to our last dinner in the Dzienziel’s home we took these photos.  They have a beautiful home that makes us feel like we are relaxing in an English garden.  Sister Found, in her mid eighties, bakes a loaf of her incredibly good whole wheat bread each week for the missionaries, we Seniors included.