The End is Near!! A Week of "Lasts"!

Our whole mission has been a wonderful, faith-promoting experience!  The things we have loved and have felt that we were sent here to do were: 1. Teach the young single adults (and a few older ones) institute classes that strengthen their testimonies; 2. Help the stake and ward leaders realize the vital importance of having Institute available for all the young people in the stake; 3. Develop meaningful, lifelong friendships with the young single adults in our branch and the elders and sisters in our area; and 4. Have the added bonus of being able to work in the temple one day a week. 

Hearing a girl in our YSA branch, after being asked to express what she was thankful for during a Thanksgiving themed meeting, say that she was thankful for the deeper understanding, appreciation and love for the Savior that she had gained from attending Institute made everything worthwhile.
 

This is after our last day working at the Manhattan Temple.  We loved serving the Lord here one day a week.

One last dinner with our district before transfers.

We had a tender mercy thanks to Hallelujah Praise the Lord Automotive!  Our engine needed to be replaced, this auto shop was recommended by the senior missionary over mission-owned cars.  They were efficient, professional and reasonably priced and we felt very blessed that they were able get everything ready for our long trip home.

Sis. Palmer was the mission seamstress, she brought her sewing machine to every transfer meeting and the missionaries brought their mending.  I usually sat by her and helped with hemming and other handwork.  We always had good conversations!

At transfer meeting last week we were in the "departing missionary" picture!

Class at South Shore was fun ... we had some of the youngest students on record, a 2 year-old and a newborn!

Some kids from our Plainview class listening intently!

This sweet girl, Kara, came to our class at the US Merchant Marine Academy, she's not a member of our church but was a dedicated student!

Every Wednesday night we watched our branch play volleyball, this was our last time there!

It was such a blessing to see a couple of our Institute students go to the Temple to get their endowments.

A last Sunday filled with meetings and a Monday filled with packing cleaning and one more FHE and then we start the long trek home with sad hearts at saying good-bye to so many wonderful people, but with eager anticipation of happy reunions with sweet family and friends.
We loved our year in NYNY South!