Lasts

We are almost always aware of our firsts... first day of school, first date, ect.  but we don't always know when it is our last....  A mission is an exception to this.  You know when you will leave, so you know when it is your final...softball game for instance.  We played our final mission softball game the Monday after Mom left.  We held it in Malaga.  It is a big zone so we had lots of missionaries there.

 

It is now a tradition that we eat hot dogs and potato salad after the game

The missionaries are always so appreciative.  They so seldom get to just hang out and visit and/or play.  I made up potato salad of 5 kilos of potatoes and they inhaled it.  Makes a senior sister missionary feel good. I am restraining myself on the number of photos!  Aren't you proud?

 

 The next Tuesday we got in 9 new missionaries, and then on Wednesday 11 finished their missions.  The departing missionaries always have dinner with Pres and Hna Deere and then share testimonies after.  Since this was our last transfer, we joined in.  We sure do love these missionaries!

Missionaries from the states we will most likely see again at least at reunions.
 Those from other countries........this is the last time!

 

 

 

Sometimes you just gotta hug!

 

For our first ...and last  JAS (young single adult) activity, we had a Halloween party.  We had a good turn out and a fun time.

That's my scary face.  They really loved the spinach dip!

They seemed to have a good time and it was fun to visit in more relaxed circumstances. 

Our time left in the mission is ticking quickly away.  It is easy to see the correlation to our time on this earth.  The big difference is that few of us know our release date for our earthly mission. 
Consequently I hope I will remember to

A.  Cherish time with family and loved ones
B.  Take advantage of opportunities to form new friendships without regard to the usual norms of similar age or other common factors.  (Don't limit myself)
C.  Waste less time on trivial pursuits that eat up my limited time here on this earth and don't enrich my life.
D.  Be more aware of opportunities to serve, even if it is just sharing a smile with a stranger.  Service enriches and adds joy to this life, even when one is in the midst of trials.
E. Share the Gospel.. just let people know that I know God loves them.  A pass along card, a cheerful attitude.  It is contagious.  It. Is. Not. Hard!!!
F.  Be ever on the watch for the miracles I am showered with daily!!!

We are both so excited to come home...and at the very selfsame time we know how much we will miss being missionaries.  Nothing lasts!