The Big Move

An amazing sunset we saw over the Big Horn Mountains as we approached Sheridan

This has been the most exhausting and crazy week for us.  I am sure for many of you, there are new twists and turns in your lives every time you turn around.  Monday we had our final day of packing.  We found out that morning that the mission needed us to pack up the whole house. It was no longer going to be rented for missionary housing.  If we brought everything with us, it would really save the mission office time and miles.  They said to get whatever size moving van we needed and the mission would pay for the truck.  That helped us a lot in the long run.  We were going to need to rent a truck anyway since we were bringing our king-size bed with us.  We were up till about midnight trying to finish and finally decided anything left to pack could be done by the sister missionaries that were coming to help with the move.   

The 2nd bedroom at the Newcastle house all ready to go

We got a call around 5 pm from the Knights, asking if we would like some dinner.  We were so appreciative and responded with a big “yes”.  They brought us enchiladas with all the fixings!!  Brother Knight started to come right in, and I had to force him to go back outside.  He joked about staying outside being a rule.  I told him it was for missionaries and we planned on being very obedient to it.  So we had our good-byes outside.  Later, Sister and Brother Erickson came by with a quilt for us.  Sister Erickson is the quilt queen and literally has more fabric than Joanne’s.  She has a “barn” full - I doubt she even knows all the varieties that she has in there.  That was so sweet of her.  It had turned a bit colder by then and the good-bye took a little longer than expected.

One last picture with the Aylesworths

We also had a virtual Zone Conference that evening.  We were never so happy to just sit after a full day of packing.  President Larson shared some spiritual insight about being prepared spiritually, physically and worthily.  He also shared a very touching story about his experience going home from his mission.  Most of the time, there is a lot of traditions and fanfare type of activities when a missionary goes home.  They are able to go to the temple, have a fun dinner with their group and the office staff, etc.  None of that is happening right now.  President Larson wanted them to understand that this is great stuff and fun, but not essential or truly important in the long run.  He had an unusual departure as well.  Then he opened things up for questions.  He reiterated how we were not to go inside anyone’s home.  One of the elders asked if they could help people move.  President Larson said - Absolutely not!!!.  I quickly asked, if the missionaries could help us pack our truck, we had already planned it for the next day.  He said that was the one exception.  Thank goodness.  I told him - Thank you.  Otherwise, we would have died doing it ourselves.  

Walt suggested I use his tool belt to keep all my packing stuff handy

Tuesday morning, our whole district came to load our truck.  They are so wonderful!!  We told everyone to meet at our place at 10 a.m.  We were picking up our truck in Upton, 30 minutes away.  We got there a little early so we could be back by 10.  U-haul has a system now where you do all the reservations and pick ups online.  So we are sitting at the place and trying our best to get checked in.  There was a problem with needing a 2nd contact to verify Walt was the one picking up the truck.  I was the 1st contact and it took them 10 minutes to contact me.  We went round and round with trying to accomplish this “simple” task.  The poor guy at the place couldn’t help us at all.  He hadn’t had the training yet and it all had to be done over the phone or online.  The goal was to get a combination code for the lock on the back of the truck.  The keys were inside the back.  After about 35-40 minutes, we finally got the code.  We put it in, nothing.  It wouldn’t unlock.  The guy at the shop tried several times.  He also tried lubricating the lock - nothing.  He had his boss on the phone and no help there either.  Finally the guy told his boss that he was just going to use a grinding wheel on a drill to get it off.  That took another 10-15 minutes.  Sparks were flying like crazy.  That is the most indestructible lock I have ever seen.  We were so glad to finally be able to leave with the truck.

Things went pretty smoothly after that.  The sister missionaries finished packing up our bedding, bathroom and cleaning products.  We had made a plan ahead of time for what furniture needed to go first, second, etc.  Walt wanted the boxes and furniture that would go into the Mission storage in first, then things that would be stored in our garage in Billings (yes - we have a garage), and then the rest.  The missionaries said they wished all moves were that organized.  I guess we’ve had a little practice.  We were finished loading by about 12:30.  The truck was totally filled, as was my car and the cab of the truck.  We bought everyone pizza and I had made some brownies on Sunday for our dessert.  It was a beautiful day.  It was sunny and in the high 50’s.  It made it easy to be outside for our “picnic.”  I did have a huge bottle of hand sanitizer and plenty of soap and paper towels for people to keep their hands clean throughout the move.  They were grateful for that.  

The gang finally made their farewells and we got a group picture in front of the moving van.  Two of that group were waiting to hear when they would be flying home.  Both of them have asthma issues and were being sent home that week.  Arranging travel at the last minute for missionaries has really been tricky.  I am sure many of you have seen the videos of a plane literally packed with just missionaries coming from a foreign country.  We’ve seen one from the Philippines and another recently, from Africa.  Based on when our Senior Couple friends have been leaving, I think the church is bringing missionaries home by country and staggering it.  

Our moving crew
E. Birth, S. Carlise, S. Shamo, me, E. Palmer, E. Norman, E. Walker, Walt
Back row - E. Griffin Elder Zander, E. Bachler, E. Mitchell

Had to do a silly one

Most of these missionaries haven't been to South Dakota.  It's barely in our mission.

We were able to leave Newcastle about 4 pm.  We had all the little leftover things lying around to fit somewhere and then the fridge and freezer to pack.  The chest freezer was packed full and put directly into the back of the truck.  It took quite a few coolers to pack the other cold stuff, but we did it.  The Paynes dropped by to say good-bye - all outside of course.  The things that didn’t fit into the cooler bags, were sent with the Paynes to give to Sister Jensen.   It’s so strange not to hug or at least shake hands right now; especially when saying good-bye to someone.  

More boxes.  We tried to make piles so we move around.

Our empty house.  We left Jesus to watch over it.

We're going to miss this place.  

We stopped in Gillette for gas and Walt needed a car charger to use in the moving van.  We grabbed a quick bite at Wendy’s and were off again.  The next stop was in Sheridan for gas again.  The last stop was just for Walt to stretch a bit.  There was no cruise control in the moving van.  That is tough stuff in an area like this with so many hills.  I really felt for him.  We finally got into Billings about 10 pm.  Elder Wild (in charge of housing for the mission) had us just call him when we got to town and then met us at the mission home.  We had been keeping in contact with him as the day went on.  I hated keeping him up late.  He and his wife live in Billings and are serving in the office.  Thank goodness for them.  When we got to the mission home at 10:15, President Larson was still in his office.  I feel for anyone in positions like that right now.  So grateful to be a very low person on the totem pole.  We left the truck at the mission office, and Elder Wild drove Walt over to our apartment.  I would have driven him, but there was no room in our car.  FYI- the mission home (where the mission president and his family live) is right next door to the mission office (where we work).  

Our apartment is one that we have actually stayed in before.  We stayed here when the Childs were here, and then again when the Lewis’ had this place, which was actually just about 6 weeks ago.  The Lewis’ moved out this past Saturday.  It was so nice that we already knew what to expect.  This particular apartment was the model for the Apartment office and pictures were used in their brochure.  So we have the fanciest one.  Nicer counter tops, stainless steel appliances and fancy backsplash, plus an accent wall and some nice artwork.  The Lewis’ did a great job making it sparkle and shine.  I was worried about sheets being on the bed, but clean ones were on the dresser.  We were just so tired and ready to go to bed.  We brought in all the cold things and stuffed them in our new fridge.  It all fit!!!  Then made the bed, found our clothes and toiletries and hit the sack.  It was midnight - again.  Oh, and that nice weather turned into snow by the time we got to Billings.

Wednesday was another really crazy day.  We drove to the mission office to get the truck and had 8 missionaries ready to help us unload.  I did my best to have things labeled well, but things moved so fast, that I felt like it was all just a ton of boxes everywhere.  The whole truck was unloaded in an hour.  They put our storage stuff in the garage and then to the mission storage area.  When we got to the office to get the truck, Elder Wild told me I could stay at the office with his wife, while the guys did the moving.  He is a take charge kind of guy.  Walt explained that I would be needed more at the apartment directing people where to take stuff.  When everything was unloaded, Elder Wild said to go to the office.  The Thomas’ were coming in to train us.  (They are the couple we were taking over for).  Both of us were dressed in moving clothes (jeans and t-shirts).  It felt so awkward being at the office like that.  We had not anticipated going to the office that day.  We assumed we would spend the day unpacking.  I did ask President Larson if he wanted me to go home and change.  He said it was fine, he knows we were transitioning.  So we spent the remainder of the day, learning our new jobs. The hardest part was that, both Elder and Sister Thomas were sick.  She was being treated for pneumonia and him something similar.  That hadn’t been tested for COVID-19, their doctors said they didn’t meet the criteria.  It was just a bit unnerving for us.

Our new kitchen and eating area.  It took a while to get it this organized.

Walt has a recliner!!!

Our living room.  All the pictures except ones of Christ came with it.

Walt's wonderful idea of using the fuse box to hang our magnet photos

We saw this at the store.  

Our back patio.  The rocking chair came from Newcastle.  We bought it at a thrift store

Dinner was the last straw of the day.  I found everything I needed to make a chicken dinner, and then realized there was no salt or pepper.  It took us 30 minutes to find them.  By that time, everything was cold and I had to re-heat it.  I went to say the prayer and just started to cry.  We were both just tired, stressed and feeling done.  Is it too late to say we don’t want to move to Billings?  We’ve been through worse, we can do this!!  People are going through much, much worse than something like this.  We need to count our blessings.

Thursday and Friday went so much better.  We both felt a bit more comfortable at our new tasks.  We went in Thursday with our arsenal.  We wiped down every surface in each of our offices, have hand sanitizer and hand lotion.  Thursday morning was farewell to our missionaries with any type of health issues.  I feel so bad for them; many have only served 6-7 months their mission.  We knew 3 of the 15 or so.  It was sad to see them go.  When the driver dropped off ones that were leaving, he picked up some new ones.  We had 7 missionaries that were coming straight from the MTC.  I think they are the last bunch to be trained that way for a while.  Right now there is virtual training done from home prior to a mission.  The majority of these missionaries were originally assigned to a foreign country.  Some to New Zealand, Portugal, Malaysia, and Brazil.  They have spent the last 6-9 weeks at the MTC learning their new language and how to teach the gospel.  Now they are serving in Montana until further notice.  They were quite the musical group.  Several play the ukulele, piano, flute, and sing well.  We got a few serenades on Thursday and Friday.  They have orientation their first afternoon, and then some training on Friday and then they get their assignment and are taken to their first area.  Since all were originally serving foreign missions, their names tags were in various languages.  My job was to get them all English name tags.  So my first name tag order went in on Thursday.

Sister Carlise (from our old district) was at the mission office picking up her new companion.  She sings like an angel.

I think I will save information about what we do in the office for a different email.  This one is getting very lengthy.  After Wednesday’s  meltdown, Walt texted President Larson about taking one day off to get unpacked.  President Larson preferred that we just taking two half days.  We ended up just taking two days with 2 hour lunches.  We’ve worked hard each day trying to get things finished.  On Thursday we just kept working and working and got the kitchen, dining area and living room box free.  It felt so wonderful!  By Saturday night, everything was done except the 2nd bedroom.  It was a lot of hard work and our bodies screaming at us.  We made some final purchases at Walmart on Saturday and are now done with any shopping.  Saturday morning, the shelter in place in Montana went into effect.  So now we are only here, at the mission office or hiking.  

I am sure most of you have seen this at stores near you.  Just kind of historic

Today, we had FaceTime sacrament meeting with our Abe, Anya and the grandchildren.  Heidi did a great job on her talk about prayer.  We loved Abe’s comments as well (closing remarks).  They invited us to “chime in” and we did.  It was really nice to share that with them and hope to do it again after General Conference.  It was sunny and in the low 60’s.  After lunch, we went to a place I had seen online called Four Dances Trail.  It’s only 15 minutes outside of Billings.  The trail is well kept and there were lots of others out for fresh air as well.  Whenever someone would come near us on the path, we would just step aside or walk over in the field area.  We weren’t sure what to expect except it went around a hill.  Then not too far into the walk, Walt saw that we were on the rim of a canyon and walked a ways over.  It was spectacular!!!  Off the path, but so beautiful.  Walt hiked around and I found a great place to just sit and take it all in.  Later, he came and sat with me on the boulder.  We are so grateful to have this kind of beauty so close.  It takes away all that is going on and just lets us feel peaceful.   We just love it.  Down the road a little further, we saw cows, and brand new calves!!!  I had forgotten how little they are.  We miss being near cows.  Who would figure.  It’s that time of year and we love it.

A view from our walk on Sunday at Four Dances Trail

Walt down the mountain.  I thought the rock beside him was pretty cool.

Walt is down the mountain between the two green trees in the middle

A cool rock formation on the road past Four Dances Trail

I am in this picture on the right.  Love the sky

Cliff side of our walk.  We were off the trail.

That is me at the top of the hill.

The Yellowstone River

Tomorrow is the start of a new week.  I am assuming it will NOT be as exhausting or stressful as this past week.  The entire Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints fasted today, for this terrible virus situation to improve.  We fasted and prayed for all those struggling with illness, job loss, family and friends that are sick, and all the other devastation our world is experiencing.  That is a lot of prayer and fasting.  I do see the Lord’s hand in small things and in the big as well.  I see good things coming from this - families spending time together, relationships being strengthened, and people turning once again to God for comfort and support.  We pray for our families every day.  Please don’t worry about us at all.  We are in a good place and are careful.  We love you all so much!

This is our lettuce garden.  It's so cool.  We have two growing now.