Last Week in Mission

It has been a very interesting and crazy week. Monday Walt started training his replacement Elders. They are both very bright, smart, and committed missionaries. One had experience working in a mission office when he was serving in Mexico, before being sent home from COVID-19. I think he was itching to get back into that. The other Elder, Elder Matthews, reminds me of Cash. I see him, and see Cash as a missionary. Although not as humorous. The Elders learned fast. Walt would teach them something and then let them do it. Later, I followed the same pattern with the Sisters replacing me. By Tuesday, they seem like they were ready to take over; Walt was good with that. They did comment that Walt had everything so organized and set up well, that all they had to do was maintain it. What a compliment. It wasn’t at all like that when Walt started.

Tuesday was also “exciting.” The night before, The AP’s told me who my replacements would be and they would be starting bright and early on Wednesday. I shared the news with Sister Wild when I got in, and we immediately looked up these Sisters to see who they were and where they had been serving. Surprise!!! There were about 15 or so missionaries that had been moved around. There was a need to move some sisters, but some Elders were in the mix as well. Of course, we are the last to know. Not long after missionaries started arriving at the mission home. Glad we had a tiny heads up, or we would have been confused by all the missionaries showing up. Keeps things interesting.

We spent that evening doing more packing. It never seems to end. We had the Elders from our district help pack the truck. So grateful for all their help. We are so glad we bought that truck. For one thing, he enabled us to pack half our stuff ahead of time. Walt just parked in the garage until needed.

Wednesday, my Sisters arrived as planned. One is Sister Wolf, the other Sister Hansen. This is the first time they have served together. I had previously typed up instructions for each part of my position. It’s always good to have something to refer to. I followed Walt’s example of teaching, then doing. As President Larson predicted they learned fast. When I started, making the baptism pictures for the board was tricky, but got it down to a science. I showed them, and they got it in one try. Those young brains!

There is a major construction project under way for the next two months. Super poor timing, but there was no moving it. At least they are doing it in between transfers. Or so we thought. They started Wednesday afternoon, outside. First thing, was ripping out the sidewalk in front of the mission office - with a jack hammer. Needless to say, it was a bit noisy. President Larson had been gone doing Zone Conferences, so wasn’t there until Thursday. He put a stop to it when he got in that morning. They only had two hours of jack hammering to do, so he told them they could finish it between 12 and 2. So everyone got a long lunch that day. Worked great for us. We had lunch, and I made brownies, did laundry and we both packed. When we got back both of our replacement missionaries were busy at work; didn’t need us. So I suggested we get some ice cream and bring it back to the office. I asked Sister Wild her favorite since she doesn’t eat chocolate. Off we went to Albertson’s and found they had Bryer’s on sale for $1.88. We bought mint chocolate chip, cookies and cream, and dreamcicle bars - all for $5. Everyone had a great time and enjoyed the treat. We all just filled our bowls and sat back and enjoyed.

That evening, we got my car started on filling up. Around 7 pm, the Sisters from our District came and helped me clean. That worked hard. We only had the kitchen, bathrooms, and floors. Afterwards, I gave them a choice of a sundry of food and other items to take home. They went home with 2 boxes.

Teaching my replacements, Sister Will paying attention as well

Walt's replacements and the AP's. Elder Glover, Elder Mumford, Elder Zarecor and Elder Matthews

My replacement sisters - S. Hansen, Me, and S. Wolf

One last picture with the Wilds

Friday was a big day! Our last one in Billings. We spent the morning with the final packing of the vehicles. Walt was able to get everything in!! He never ceases to amaze me. We left the cooler packing for after lunch. We got to work about 10:30 am. All was well. I don’t think they need us anyone :(. At 11, we had our departing interview with President Larson. He does this with every missionary before they go home. He asked us some questions, like - What was one trial we went through and how we overcame it, What have we learned to do better as a result of serving a mission, and what does the future look like for you when you get home. The last one was simple - see our family and have fun with them. It was nice to have that conversation with President Larson.

While waiting for the pizza to arrive for the departure lunch, we got pictures with other missionaries. The new office sisters took care of the lunch - loving it! We have felt so loved! There were 3 Sisters missionaries going home in addition to us. That’s a pretty small group. The lunch turned out well and the brownies I made were enjoyed as well. Our plan was to leave around 2 pm (at the latest). We finally got out of there by 3 pm. We thought we only had a few pictures to get, but then transfer journals starting lining up on my desk. Lots of missionaries have these and get people to sign them when they are getting transferred. We signed about 10. Also, one missionary bought me flowers! What a sweetie. It was a fun last day. We stopped by our place to pack the coolers and then leave. The AP’s (Elder Glover and Elder Mumford) came with us so we wouldn’t have to go back to the office to return the keys. In all the help and craziness, I only packed the freezer stuff and totally forgot about the fridge. About an hour down the road, I realized that - 6 quarts of Brunswick stew, bacon, sandwich stuff, etc. Guess some missionaries are going to get some good stuff.

We got to the Bailey’s about 5 pm. They kept asking how it feels to be going home and not be a missionary. It only felt like a trip to Sheridan. It didn’t feel like - We’re going home! We enjoyed a nice evening with them; mostly watching them get ready for vacation and all the “Fun” stuff that entails. They were much more calm about it than I have ever been in preparing for vacation. Funny thing - President Bailey needed to go to the Tackle shop for some fishing stuff. Walt pipes up with “I think I need to go there too!” We said our good-byes to the Bailey’s that night, since they were leaving at 7 am. We are so going to miss them. They really want to visit Gettysburg. Perfect, they can stay with us! They will be friends with us forever!!

Us with Sister and President Larson

E. Barton, E. Manwaring (gave me the flowers) and us

Us and the AP's. E. Glover and E. Mumford. Love those Guys!

The whole departing group. S. Chase, S. Stanworth, us, the Larsons, and S. Taua

Us with the STL's (Sister Training Leaders) S. Snyder and S. Taua

S. Chase, S. Hansen, S. Wolf, S. Taua, S. Snyder and S. Stansworth at the goodbye lunch

E. Glover, S. Anderson and S. Day-Gomes (the sisters that helped us clean from our District)

Us with Walt's replacements. E. Matthews and E. Zarecor

S. Day-Gomes, S. Anderson and us

President Larson, S. Larson, and us. Notice the alligator head between Sister Larson and me.

Saturday we got on the road by about 9:30. First stop was Upton, to see Gary. It was just like old times. He fed us Joe’s fried chicken, sides dishes and cake for lunch. Loved his shirt - so him. We will really miss him and all his sass and humor. Then off to Newcastle. Both of us were reminiscing the whole drive of things we have done, seen, and loved there. It felt like going home. We had arranged to hang out at Dow Park in town for anyone that wanted to come and see us. It was a super hot day, and we really thank those that braved the sweltering heat. Richard Smith brought his grill and we had a small cook-out. He is so awesome. We had about 12-15 people come. Jody Greene came and brought my Wyoming quilt. It looks so amazing. I wished I had taken a picture, but will do so when I get home and have it on my bed - even unfinished. We only lasted 2 hours in the heat, so we said good-bye until Sunday.

We headed to the Knights next. It was 10 degrees cooler where they live up in the mountains. We had a nice afternoon/evening with them. We caught up, had yummy steak for dinner, and then played some cards. We headed to the Payne’s after that to meet up for the fireworks. They had a bon fire going for cooking hotdogs and marshmallows. Also some fireworks to shoot off. There are lines at the fireworks “store” - really a trailer every year. There are so many people that just set off their own. A thunder storm was approaching and it finally started to rain a little. The fireworks by the town were called off (again this year), mostly because a fire had started from someone’s own fireworks, and the storm.

Oh - While at the Knights I got a text from Kay that she was back in town and could we get together. So we picked her up for fireworks/bon fire. Once the rain started, we had to take her back home. Then on the way back to the Knights, there were so many personal fireworks going on, that I just pulled over and watched - turning my head from side to side. I would have just let Walt drive, but with the way the car is packed, the seat doesn’t move back. It was about a half hour or so of fireworks. Great way to end our trip in Newcastle. We went back to the Knights for the night. It was a typical Saturday night for us, cooked hotdogs on a fire and had to take a shower because we smelled like a camp fire.

Saturday's temperature

One last picture of hay fields - love this sight

Sign for Upto - "Best town on earth"

Chilling on Gary's front walk - nice shade

Gary's shirt is perfect for him

With the Smith Children at Dow Park. Walt, Richard, me, Nic, and Hailey

Richard, Dee Dee Phillips, Jody Greene, Colleen and Bob Goodart

At the Knights, Gary, Gina, Kristy, me and Walt

Amazing sunset with rain coming through the clouds

At the Payne's bon fire. Walt, Adam and Duncan Stevens, Richard (son) Smith

My Girls! Kay, me and Hailey

Sunday was a wonderful but sad day. We are so grateful Newcastle was back to attending church, with the new guidelines. Walt was asked to help pass the sacrament - wearing rubber gloves and a mask. You do what you have to. It was just heavenly sitting in that chapel again with our beloved friends - all who have become like family. The Bishop did give approval for a 15 minutes testimony meeting. We were the 2nd and 3rd people to go up. We started our Sunday in Newcastle with our testimony and ended the same. It’s hard to explain/share all the feelings at that time. We couldn’t have asked for a better mission for us. We loved it! The people have been so loving, accepting and good to us. They will be our friends eternally.

After my testimony, I threw in a quick word for pictures outside after church. We found a shady tree, and got pictures with each person that would participate. Everyone wasn’t there, but were happy with the ones we did see. There were a couple of families that we weren’t able to say good-bye to, and it breaks my heart. Guess, we will have to see them first when we come back to visit.

Daxton Phillips. He asked for this picture. Sweet young man!

Carol Jones

Lisa Wynia

Loa Dickinson. She was our Seminary Sub and just was called to be YW president

Kieth and April Aylesworth. Amazing couple

Cody Stewart. My favorite cowboy.

Jody Greene (made my Wyoming quilt top)

Smith Family - now part of ours. Hailey, Richard and Richard (son). Note - Nic - the youngest son was in several other pictures (photo bomber) but wouldn't stand in this one. So Nic!

Haley Turner, been working with her on missionary discussions. She took all the pictures for me!

Grey and Karen Payne (always fed us Elk)

Betty Jensen (did all our mending for free)

Mary Phillips. Was RS President for over 8 years

Last selfie with Kay. She couldn't come to church, so I stopped by her house for one last goodbye

Bob and Colleen Goodart

Cory and Julia Pillen. Cory was the first person in the ward we met. He helped us unpack our car when we arrived

Last hug for Hailey

Gina Knight (Girlfriend)

Dee Dee Phillips. She is Mary's sister

Ron Moody

Connie and Bill James (she is current RS president and he is a former Bishop

We left after good - byes and pictures and headed for South Dakota. Oh, what memories were sparked as we drove. Such wonderful connections with that ward, such fun trips, hikes and experiences. I was rather teary as we drove. We did have one last stop at the Wyoming and South Dakota signs. We drove until we reached Sioux Falls, SD - our first night on the trip home. Everything was familiar until we passed Rapid City. At that point, it was all new territory for us. We wanted to see the Badlands, but it cost to go in (too much and it was Sunday). We did a couple of pictures though.

It’s Tuesday now, but that is where I am stopping for the week. The rest will be on the next and final email/blog. I will also write more about our reflections of our mission. I am finishing this up so we can get on the road again. So until the next one of these in 6 more days. We love you all!

Elder and Sister Vann

PS - I am not proofing this one before I send it, so excuse any misspelled words.