Last Night...the Finale

Dear Friends and Family, 

I am sitting here and it is almost midnight on the last night of our mission.  I am in a state of denial that it is really over.  I look at the schedule and our name is not on it.  We have lived by that schedule every day for the past year and to not see our name is a very disconcerting feeling.

We have so enjoyed this experience and feel so blessed to have served in St George.  These memories are precious and the friendships we have made are treasures we will hold dear for the rest of our lives. But the icing on the cake is the growth and strength of our testimonies.  Serving with Bruce has been wonderful.  I still claim he missed his true vocation.  He really should have been a lawyer.  You really do not want to debate Bruce, he his relentless when he wants to prove a point. The guests didn't have a chance if he decided they were going to walk away with a Book of Mormon.   He was a fantastic missionary and a wonderful teacher.

We ended in style. The last 10 days of our mission was spent in Manti working the Miracle Pageant, taking the Cleverly's to Hole in the Rock, and planning our last Bye party for the Sutherlands, plus working our regular shifts at the sites.

The Manti pageant was beautiful.  We worked the booths handing out pamphlets, Books of Mormon, referral cards and pictures of Christ.  The sad thing about this event, are the protesters who line the street in front of the Temple and hassle those entering the gates.  This year they took it to a new level.  They had 34 women dressed up like pioneers but with a twist. They all had a sign around their neck saying they were Joseph Smith's wife # such and such and their name is...  They lined up right along the sidewalk that everyone entering the grounds had to walk past.  Not sure what their purpose was but it made some guests feel uncomfortable.  They are very aggressive and obnoxious.  I was worried about Bruce confronting them, but they put us on the opposite side of the Temple.  "Tender Mercies".

Our trip with the Cleverly's was unreal.  We left Monday night after our shift and drove to Escalante and checked into a motel.  We then went to the Escalante Heritage Center and toured the displays of the Hole In The Rock adventure.  Tuesday morning we left early and traveled down a 60 mile dirt road that takes 2 1/2 hours one way.  We arrived at Hole in The Rock and were just amazed at what these pioneers did.  All the way their we kept asking "How did they survive and who in the world ever thought they could drive a wagon over a cliff and if Brigham was with them would he have turned them around?"  These people were unstoppable.  We made two other stops to stare in amazement at Devil's Garden and then a two hour hike to a slot canyon.  Soooooooo Fun!

Our last Bye Party was last night.  The Sutherland's leave in 10 days and we celebrated with a "My Favorite Things" party.  It was great!  These parties have been so instrumental in bonding the Sr. Couples together.  We work very hard and it is nice to get together and laugh, eat, laugh some more and of course end with eating more.

So now, We close this chapter of our lives.  We thought we came on this mission to pay back the Lord for the blessings we have received the last 43 years, but we are leaving more in His debt than ever.  I hate the principle "Endure To The End", but I think I understand it a little bit better.  I am sure we need to keep serving in any capacity when asked, but I'm not sure the next experience can match up to the past year.  We'll just keep on truckin'!!!

We send our love to all of you and pray for God's choicest blessings to surround you.  Here's to the end of our Mission and this blog.

God Bless,

Bruce and Dawna

Elder and Sister (for at least 12 more hours)