So Long, Farewell . . .

9/8/24

Today was our mission farewell. Oh, all the feels! But, before I can tell you about it, let’s back up and review all of the things that have happened this week to get us to today. 

Monday: flu shots and covid boosters. This was very exciting because we got to check off the final box on our mission prep list before entering the MTC. (A current flu shot is recommended.) We were both eligible for flu shots once it was September and we scheduled to have them on the 2nd. While we were waiting our turn, another couple was there for covid boosters. We didn’t know they were available yet and, since they were, we had both shots at the same time. When we walked out of the pharmacist’s office Todd let out a really loud “OWWW!” and rubbed his arm, grimacing in pain. It was all for show and got several laughs from those waiting their turn.

Tuesday: I was decently sick from our shots. It was a rough day with aches and pains, but also packing and working around the house.

Wednesday and Thursday were more packing, sorting, and trying to sort items into one of these categories: Bring to Iceland. Pack in storage. Donate. Toss. One of us likes to throw everything away (me) and another one of us would like to bring the entire household and the motorcycle to Iceland (not me). It’s been an interesting project! 

We are each allowed 2 full sized suitcases and our carry-on suitcase when we travel to Iceland. Each suitcase has to be under 50 pounds. In addition to the things you would normally bring on a trip (or a two year move with 2 ½ suitcases), we need to bring all medications needed for two years, including over the counter medication. In Iceland, in order to get over the counter meds (I’m looking at you, ibuprofen) we need to meet with a pharmacist. You can’t just walk into a store and buy meds. So, cold medicine, tummy medicine, all the aches and pains medicine need to come with us. Just how much ibuprofen will I need to make it 2 years?! I have no idea! It has been quite a puzzle to sort out as we’ve tried to get our luggage packed correctly. We are also using vacuum pack bags to shrink some of our winter clothing down to take less space up. 

Friday was our final day in our home. By the end of the day we needed to have everything put into its place, donated, thrown away, or packed to travel with us. Our daughter’s family is living in our home while we are in Iceland and we needed the house ready for them to move into. We used half our garage to store the things we wanted to keep. Todd did an excellent job organizing the garage.

Saturday was spent moving our daughter’s family 118 miles. There was a lot of driving, a lot of hauling, a lot of cleaning, and a lot of good people and ward members on both ends of the move who helped facilitate getting them into their new home. 

And this brings us to Sunday. A day of rest from packing and cleaning and moving. A day to worship our Savior and renew our covenants. We were very happy to share our testimonies and thoughts about our mission call with our ward family and so many good friends. It is such a blessing to be able to have meetings shared through zoom where we had many friends and family members join us electronically. 

Todd talked about his retirement. As it was approaching, everyone was asking him “What do you want to do after you retire?” But not a single person asked him, “What does the Lord want you to do after you retire?” He focused on how we should counsel with the Lord and He will direct us in all things. (Alma 37:36-37) The Lord wants us to serve a mission. I talked about ministering. It’s what I know how to do and what I know the Lord has asked me to do. And, I talked about how I know we can leave our children and grandchildren in the Lord’s hands. I shared a quote about senior missionaries that I love. “Good people replaced our parenting functions better than we . . . If a family problem has not yielded to prayer and fasting, a mission might be considered.” 

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2004/10/senior-missionaries-and-the-gospel?lang=eng

We were very happy to have our children and grandchildren supporting us, wherever they were around the country. And in addition to our wonderful extended family and ward family we had friends and former coworkers come support us as we spoke.

This lovely Sabbath day ended with our daughter, Rachel, gifting us beautiful sweaters and mittens she made for us to take on our mission. She is an insanely talented knitter and we will be in style when we arrive in Iceland in 2 weeks. 

Now we’ve said farewell to our home, farewell to our ward family, and farewell to many beloved friends. As this week goes on we will say farewell to our children & grandchildren and our 14 years in Oregon. What a bittersweet farewell it is! 

2 Corinthians 13:11 “Finally . . . farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.”