Week 77 Training, Farewell, and Tender Moments

Especially for all my teacher-friends, this advertisement from the major bookstore chain came in the mail this week:

Translation: Full Speed School Start

We couldn't stop laughing!  The mixture of English and Swedish had to be deliberate--just a glimpse into Swedish humor!

Another last...birthday dinner for office elders.  I will miss all these wonderful young men whose lives have intersected with ours.  

Elder Olson's 20th birthday! (Elders Waters, Beverage, Olson, Derr)  Kebab pizza, ham and mushroom pizza (John's choice), banana and chicken curry pizza and french fries!  (I think it gave me heartburn!)

It tastes better than you'd think, but John won't even try it.

We had our last office meeting this week.  (The Youngberg's son and his wife are in town now, so the upcoming meeting is cancelled.)  Traditionally, the office elders take a "happy together" picture before they transfer or go home.  This is ours.

Hales and Andersons--Office meeting was a little tough that night, as Sis. Youngberg started to cry a little as she offered the opening prayer.  We've all grown close, as people do who serve together.

The next day our "replacements" arrived.  Even though they had traveled for about 20 hours to get here, they wanted to get right to work.  This picture isn't very fair to them; they were pretty tired after working all day, the second day. (Second days are almost worse than the first because adrenaline isn't pumping anymore)!

This was taken at the welcome-to-the-arriving-couples and farewell-to-the-departing couples parting Wednesday night.

Thursday night we had a lovely dinner with the Andersons at the Scandic where they were staying.  The next morning we were at the airport saying good-bye.  We will miss them-- our camaraderie, our explorations, and our impromptu lunches.  Of course, they are on our growing list of "new" friends to visit!

Next senior couple to leave...us!

Today was an extra special day.  Alasdair and Ingrid joined us for lunch and then we went to church together.  Meeting them has been a special blessing in our lives.  We have developed a mutual respect for each other and feel like we are leaving good friends.  In our discussion over lunch, we talked about science and faith.  Alluding to the gigantic formations of the earth and microscopic DNA, Alasdair said, "In our fields of study, (geology and biomedical research) we just have to believe in a Creator--there is no other explanation." After church, Alasdair said, "It felt so familiar."  We said our tender good-byes as we walked with them to the train station.  Thank you, Anne, for introducing us!

Alasdair and Ingrid Skelton

 We quickly returned to church for Sunday School and slid into seats in our class.  I glanced over to the young African woman sitting next to John.  Could it be Julia from Örnsköldsvik?  I heard she had moved to Stockholm shortly after we had come here.  Yes! It was her! She had just moved to this ward and was attending for the first time!  Another tender moment--a departing gift.

Julia and Daniella

As this week has unfolded my heart is being filled to overflowing.  I can't imagine what the next two weeks will bring as we say a final farewell and return home.  I've thought about the young missionaries who often say, "I wish I could just stay in Sweden.  I love it here." When we arrive, young and old, we are nervous, excited, and unsure of ourselves.  We stutter and cry, but we persevere and grow.  We become accustomed to the new land, love the people, and become comfortable.  We are home.  Then the end of our missions, looming on the horizon, suddenly bolt toward us.  We have to leave.  It is good for us.  The young missionaries are forced to move on with their lives. Their greatest decisions are waiting to be made-- to resume schooling, get married, find a career.  We, senior couples, are also forced out of our comfort zones to return home--it sort of "jump starts" us again.  I don't know of many things for retired people that offer "new beginnings"  in the way that returning home from a mission does.  I hear of many couples who, once they get home, miss having such purpose in their lives and want to serve another mission.  I can understand.  Already, the desire to serve is whispering to me.