Monday, December 2, 2019
It was dark, rainy and cold, but we went to the Sisters’ apartment and helped them down with their heavy luggage. We barely could fit it all in. Ha. So tight in the car. We helped the Sisters on to the bus. We gave them our last hugs and said goodbye—I truly love these young ladies—they have done so much to be faithful despite the challenges that each has had in their life.
We then helped the Elders on to the bus and then finished cleaning up and packing. We were out of our door at 12:20. Everything seems to be the “last” of everything. We drove the last in Rijeka, drove the last up the beautiful coastal ascent into the mountains (although it was raining cats and dogs), drove through the pretty mountains. We arrived at the Mission Office at 2:30 p.m. and there were lots of missionaries there. It WAS SO FUN seeing everyone—Sister Gittins, Sister Andrews, Sister Christensen, Elder Beck, Elder Christensen, Elder O’Brien, Sister Henderson, Sister Gunnell, Sister Scofield, Sister Roberts, Sister Taylor. And then the comment to me from Sister Melonakos—“You can hug any Sister who served with you or as a Media Sister.” What a privilege to do so—they are wonderful people, good at heart, pure in heart and intent, and just fun people. How I love them all.
We then drove to the mission home to discover what departing missionaries experience their last evening in the mission. Elder and Sister Ward and Elder and Sister Freestone were cooking a delicious dinner for us. After dinner, we watched videos of the young missionaries opening their call and their first try at teaching a lesson in Croatian at return and report. The best part of the evening was sitting in the living room listening to President and Sister Melonakos sharing their advice on how to live after the mission. They asked, "What great habits you learned on your mission do you want to continue? They also shared their advice to not be stressed about dating and asked the senior missionaries to also shared their advice. Then each missionary shared an experience on their mission that was meaningful to them and bore their testimony.
I (Perry) talked about how much it has been a blessing to serve with Susan—that I have been in awe at her ability to receive inspiration and revelation in areas that she is new to doing. I said that I would tell her “slow down” or “write it down” it came so fast at times. I also bore my testimony that God loves these people, even in their struggles and difficulties. I gave the example of Zdravko when we felt strongly we need to visit him and he was not there. I thought we missed a prompting, but then we drove to a store about 5-6 miles away from his home and ran into him next to the apples and pears (in a grocery store where he thought he could get some hardware equipment). We had a heartfelt discussion in the fruit isle and I told him that God loves him and wants him back to Church and that he needs it for him. He said that his son also told him to go back to Church. He returned the next Sunday. I also bore testimony that I had gotten to know the history of the countries and the challenges and discord that has existed for a century or more. I said that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the only way to bring the people together in harmony and peace. That it will build bridges that have been burned down.
Many of the missionaries stayed up to play games but we went to bed as we had to be up at 4:00 a.m. I woke up at 3:50 and just turned off the alarm.
Tuesday, December 3, 2019
Off to the airport at 5:00 a.m. and onto the plane. A tender mercy that they checked five of the bags without going through the cost of another bag. We would not have made it by trying to drag on the extra hand-luggage. Sister Anderson left her baggage at the Mission Home, but it arrived in time and she got on the plane, truthfully not much after we arrived at the gate.
Then a tender mercy in Frankfurt, we ran into the arriving missionaries and they got to talk, hug and say how much they will love their missions. So much love and Christ-like Spirit in a small group of stalwart young men and women.
We got to the juncture point of Terminal Z and we had to go to Z69 (the furthest down the terminal) and the others had gates around Z26. Lots of hugs and goodbyes, but we are so glad we are committed to getting together. We have special feelings for Sister Christensen and Sister Roberts in particular—they are such sweet young women—so pure and good.
We are now on a plane, over the Atlantic and about 6 hours or so from Dallas. What a joyous reunion it will be!! But I am SO happy for the joyous reunions that our dear missionaries will have with their families. I can only imagine the feelings of love and pride and pure joy that will be in San Diego about 11pm and Salt Lake about 8:30pm and Idaho Falls and Boise about 11:30.
We arrived in Dallas around 2:15 p.m., but had to spend almost 1 hour 30 minutes before we were out of the terminal. What a joy to have Tucker run up and jump into my arms and hug me! And to see Laila—she is a cutie! And to be reunited with Heather and Brett. It will be another several weeks before we see the rest of the family, but I guess it is like opening one present at a time.
We thought of each of the missionaries and when they would be arriving that same day—all after we arrived. What joyous reunion that will be. All were so faithful and shared their testimonies with conviction. All worked hard. I wish I could reconfirm, what they probably already know, that Heavenly Father is SO happy for them.
We went home, unpacked (somewhat), and had a relaxing few days with lots of playing with grandchildren.
We are so grateful to have served the Lord. We know The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is His restored gospel on the earth with the principles, doctrine of Christ and ordinances to bless and enrich our lives and give us joy. It has been a sacrifice to be away from our family, but we have felt the Spirit of the Lord guide our work, our actions and enhance our abilities. We know the Savior lives and loves us. We know if we focus on the Savior and the gospel in our lives that we can be happy regardless of the circumstances around us. That is the only way to be truly happy.
