Last Mission Post 26 Feb 2016

Hi All, 

Yesterday was a heart-rending day as we said goodbye to our friends in Portland.  Sacrament Meeting was a musical meeting where people came up to the pulpit, said their favorite hymn and then we sang it.  The Bishop got up to close the meeting by dedicating a song to us, “God Be With You Till We Meet Again”.  I lost it.  Afterwards they had a linger longer where we got to say goodbye to many. 

Following the meeting we went to Andrew Bassford’s house to help him set up a blog as he looks for other work as well as eating a wonderful dinner.  He is a professional chef and what a meal!  He also showed me a history of his father who was an infantryman in World War II which was very moving. 

After that we went to the Earnshaws for another wonderful dinner with them and the Sister Missionaries.  The Earnshaws are like the poster child for what Latter Day Saint couples should be like and the Sisters are almost like our daughters.  We felt love a great deal of love for them. 

We then went to Beatrice’s apartment and then Jan’s apartment.  Beatrice and Jan are like Sisters to Sandy.  Both Beatrice and Jan cried.  It was particularly moving when Sandy prayed with Jan.  We felt the Holy Ghost strongly and afterwards Sandy said that she felt the words said in the prayer were inspired.

On Friday night Ann came over to our house to be taught by the Elders.  She has a very simple, sweet faith and believed everything being taught.  Sandy said that she was inspired to tell her that she had a beautiful smile.

This week I went with Joseph to visit the hiring person at Advantage Health Care.  Joseph wants a second job and this was recommended.  The person at Advantage Health was very impressed with Joseph. 

We also went with Azziza to move her application for subsidized housing along at AVESTA. 

Joren is in her apartment now.  The ward people have been so good to her.  Sis Earnshaw got her beds, food and so many other things.  “Furniture Friendly” a non-profit delivered table and chairs.  I told Joren that God has blessed her greatly and she needs to write a letter to Sister Earnshaw. 

We are also going to miss the Elders and Sisters in this District very much.  They are wonderful, hard-working and fun to be with.  We’ve cherished our time with them.  We’ve been very impressed when teaching with them at their wisdom, sincerity and kindness.  We told them at our last district lunch that we want invitations to their weddings and we give expensive wedding gifts

so it would be worth their while.