Sunday, June 7, 2015

      We have just completed our last week of elderly missionaries in the New Mexico Farmington Mission. It has been harder than I ever imagined it would be. I hate good-byes anyway, and then to have to say it to so many people whom you have come to love just like our own family. Some of them we might never see again. We certainly hope that we will, but who knows what the future holds.
We started out the week with out last District Meeting and a dinner. There are only three couples left now in the Window Rock District. There is a CES couple coming in the middle of June, but the Rogers go home the end of June. So then the District will be down to two couples. Quite a change from the ten couples when we came.
     We tried to visit as many people as we could this week. We had two days of rain, so that prevented us from getting to see some of them. We stopped at the Senior Center to see and visit with them one last time. We have mentioned time and time again how glad we are that we were able to spend time with them, getting to know them, helping them with projects, and developing special friendships.
     We had a good turn-out to our last Family Home Evening. The core group is very interested in keeping it going each week. So they exchanged phone numbers, made some assignments, and we all had a good visit with one another.  Our Wednesdays won't ever be the same.
     In among all our comings and goings, we had to get both vehicles serviced, pack up boxes, meet with President Batt one last time so Owen could give him one of his paintings, pack more boxes, do laundry, clean the trailer, pack & pack some more with tears in our eyes and heavy hearts.
     Saturday when we weren't packing, we went to a reception for a young lady who graduated from high school and is going to be going to college in the fall. Then we went to a birthday party for a little one-year-old whom we have become quite attached to. His birthday isn't until the 13th, but they wanted to have the party early so we could be there.
     We have had several people come by the trailer to say their good-byes and visit with us. I think the word has definitely gotten out that the Olsens are going to be going home.
     Today was our last Sunday as missionaries in the Lupton area. Since it was Fast Sunday, we had a pot luck dinner after the meetings. It was delicious Navajo tacos – so yummy. They had a special cake for us. Some had even brought gifts for us. It was very humbling to be on the receiving end of all that special attention. It was nearly two o'clock by time we got home from Church (the meetings end at 12:00 noon). So it was a very special day for us, and we'll cherish all the memories of our wonderful little Lupton Branch.
     We have loved serving here in the Lupton area. We know that this is the place we were suppose to be. The Lord has guided us every step of the way and led us to people who were prepared to hear the gospel; or to people who needed our help in some way, even if it was nothing more than a visit.

     So tomorrow this chapter of our lives will come to a close, and we will move on to the next chapter and whatever adventures are in store for us.
Our Lupton rug weaver - she does beautiful work.

Everything is so green and pretty - south of Lupton

Our last pot luck dinner with the Branch - a special cake

In order to be stylin' you need to have an apron from
a Blue Bird flour sack.

Corn grinding stones given to us

A special rug made by a special young lady.

Marianya and her mama

Marianya's little brother, Sasuke, with us.