Russia Yekaterinburg Mission - Week 79 - September 10-September 13, 2018

The time has finally come - We are leaving today in three hours!

Here is my stuff



And Dad's



It is a bittersweet time for us.........to leave.  We definitely want to return home!  But at the same time we know we have just finished this mission - this once in a lifetime opportunity - that can not be repeated.  Granted we could go on another mission, but it won't be this one with its unique trials and tribulations, and the people and culture and language. And, don't forget the winter weather.

This week has been a week of "lasts".

We went to the last English Club on Tuesday.  At the end we were asked to sit in front of all of those assembled and listen to them say "something" about us.  It was a sweet and painful as they searched their mental list of adjectives.  Mostly they said we were nice Americans and thanked us for helping them improve their English skills.  The Young Volunteers had made a "memory book" for us.   They put different photos of us on each page and then gave the English Club members the opportunity to "sign" our book.  It was so nice.  Especially nice were the comments written by Sisters Critchfield and Mulberry, and Elders Paul and Shutler-Levi. What wonderful young people they are - we have made them honorary grandchildren!












Then it was picture time



This is Zhulliz - she's one of our translators



This is Yerlan and his wife Araium







This is Mansur



And Timur



This morning I took my last morning walk along the river.



For lunch we went to the cafeteria in the mall just across the parking lot from us.  It was the first place we ate at when we arrived in April 2017.

I'

We drive to the airport in two hours.  The flight has been delayed twice, so far -an hour each time.

Next Sunday - our regular blog posting day - we'll be in Batumi, Georgia, and we don't know about internet and WiFi at the hotel.  So I'm publishing today - - and it is the end of our 'active" mission.

The beauty about a mission is this..... you are so useful and necessary one moment, and then you leave..... and are replaced .....and the mission goes on...with different people and their distinct skill sets..... but the work continues.  I am glad that we were part of that work.  I'm glad that our testimony was/is strong enough to say, "We will go and serve the Lord and help build the Kingdom - even if it is just picking up sticks in the farthest corner of his vineyard."