This last week of our mission has passed by quickly. Elder and Sister Stimpson have both caught on quickly and they have our phone numbers if they need us, which I doubt they will. As we have said goodbye to fellow missionaries, ward members, temple workers, and neighbors, it has left both of us feeling a great sense of loss at leaving this mission. It is not the location, but the relationships built over the last 18 months that we will remember.
Three things happened Friday morning as we were leaving, two good and one not so much. I can’t remember packing the car to have been that hard when we drove here. Yesterday it was all I (Russell) could do to fit everything in there. And that was after shipping several boxes home via UPS. But two very good things happened which helped us start our journey home. First, we passed by the Kansas City Temple on our way north. The temple is just off the freeway and can be seen by all who pass by in either direction. And second, we participated in a Zoom call with President, Sister Sommerfeldt and the senior missionaries to discuss a new directive from the Area Presidency. We were on the road driving home, but it provided us with a last opportunity to participate in a small way with the missionary work in Missouri.
Yesterday we made good time crossing Nebraska, we even took a diversion to see Chimney Rock. Chimney Rock was a landmark along the Oregon and Mormon pioneer trails. This morning the sky was clear and the temperature cold. During the drive between Cheyenne and Laramie, I-80 was slick with blowing snow at the higher elevations. When we got to Laramie, the freeway was closed to west bound traffic. The alternate route suggested by Google was also closed, as we found out after traveling it for 45 minutes. While the truckers have cabs they can live in if needed, our car was packed so tight I didn’t want to wait it out there. So, we checked into a hotel right by the freeway exit. Looking out we can see hundreds of vehicles (mainly semi tractor trailers) parked and waiting for the road to open. The latest estimate is that the freeway will open between 9:00 pm and 11:00 pm this evening. Tomorrow the high winds are not in the forecast. With any luck we should be able to make it to our 4:00 pm appointment with our stake president to be released.
Our final photos in the Missouri Independence Mission. (MIM)
We have loved serving under President and Sister Sommerfeldt. We consider them dear friends.
Handing over the keys to the office to Sister Stimpson.
Russell training Elder Stimpson
We passed this billboard everyday on the way to the office. It seems kind of a ridiculous ad.
Theotus and Lola came over to say goodbye. They said it is hard to find good neighbors and that they sure appreciated us. We weren't looking our best as we had been packing and cleaning.
Poppyseed bread from the Dennisons and a full bag of treats from another good friend. We loved having them both on our travels home.
Handing over our keys for the apartment to Sister Creer. How many times can you hug a person goodbye before it is enough? I will miss our friendship and those of many others in our mission. We have been blessed to develop many wonderful relationships while on this mission.
My facebook posting as we left Independence. I cried for the first hour of driving. Didn't expect that to happen.
We decided to be spontaneous and go to Chimney Rock. The visitor center was just closing as we arrived, and we didn't dare leave the car to hike to it. We had to be content with photos.
I am glad we traveled by car rather than pioneer wagon across the plains.
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