Sheltons in the Sun: May 2016

Blog # 27 Parting is such sweet sorrow . . .

May 3, 2016

What a month of mixed emotions we have experienced. Today is our last day in Bakersfield: such a blessing this journey has been; so many wonderful people we have met and loved; our testimonies have been strengthened as we have seen the Lord’s hand in His work; and have have felt the love of the Savior in so many ways.

I remember the first month we arrived, and that feeling of loss because the family wasn’t nearby. Then, as the next 17 months flew by, our days and weeks were filled with moving, planning, teaching, training, learning, loving, studying and, growing. In between, we had the joy of short visits with family and friends.

Bakersfield is a city of diversity, and the people were fascinating. Our office staff and service missionaries became our family. Our badges spoke our identity. The young missionaries were both students and teachers, and we loved watching them and sharing in their growth. We are certain that one day they will be our bishops, stake presidents and advisors. We became close to so many ward members and investigators who were learning about the gospel. Their conversions and testimonies strengthened our testimonies.

Each missionary and each ward member has his/her own story. We’ve been privileged to hear and witness miracles in their lives. They’ve been so generous to thank us for our service, but the reality is, we have been the benefactors. Our hearts have been touched by their challenges, their growth, and their desire to know truth.

This month has been an emotional roller coaster. We’ve closed five apartments (the last one will be our own in the morning.) One of the missionaries who helped us move out of the first apartment we closed in November 2014 helped us close our last apartment on Thursday. In our earliest blog, this sweet young man , who’d only been out for a few weeks, expressed how difficult it was for him stay because he was so worried about his family. We have watched him become a strong missionary with a powerful testimony. He has baptized many, and is a zone leader among his peers.

We’ve met with all of our inspector couples (service missionaries.) this month. One of our dear ladies mentioned she will be 81 next week. Then she said, “I’m sorry I ask so many questions. When I joined the church I felt like I was learning a foreign language. Now that I have this calling, I’m feeling like it is another new language…I don’t know what transfers, zone meeting, exchanges, and splits mean. We’ve talked to new members about the fact that one doesn’t just get baptized and is “saved”, but rather the baptism and confirmation is the first ordinance of a lifetime of commitment to Jesus Christ’s teachings. That was foreign to most investigators.

We also presented at eight zone conferences this month. I love this time to spend with all of the missionaries. We made a little movie about our motto: “Cleaning is a process, not an event.” It gave us some laughs. But the highlight of our presentation each conference is when we announce the companionship in the zone who won the Golden Plunger Award. Hey, they get a certificate, a scarf or tie, and their photo in the newsletter. One cute missionary who didn’t get the Golden Plunger (even though they scored an ten+ on the inspection) said he just wanted his mother to see the certificate!

Saying goodbye to all the missionaries, ward members and office staff has truly been such sweet sorrow. They have touched our lives forever. . . . and I’m so grateful that relationships can be forever and we will see them again. Mike and I have both shed tears and we recall the impact they have had on our lives.

We also don’t have any missionaries to replace us. There are not enough senior couples willing to serve; so, after weeks of trying to find a replacement, the church has asked the President if he can find a local couple who will serve. We have been writing up our job description to help train whomever my take our places. The Balls, our current office couple whom we dearly love, are adding to their load to make sure missionaries will still have smooth transfers from one area to another. This is the Lord’s work, so we know things will work out.

And as I sit here, on the only chair, with an air mattress that we will sleep on tonight, and several boxes that still need to go into the U-Haul, I am feeling the sweetness of the memories made this month and year. We’ve celebrated our relationship with a few dinners; our church meetings were so special yesterday; ten missionaries came over this afternoon to move about eight items into our storage trailer; Patti,, a dear friend and senior missionary, came over for a couple hours to help clean the apartment, President and Sister Wilson had a breakfast at staff meeting this morning (including our cute assistants), and we’ve shared so many hugs with ward members. Our new Relief Society President (of a week) insisted Mike and I come over tonight to get our genealogy project that she has spent countless hours helping us organize. We feel so blessed and so grateful.

With all thy joy, tender feelings and goodness surrounding us, I cannot deny the delight and anticipation we feel to be able to see and be with family and friend again. Ryan and Hali found out today that the baby they are expecting is a boy! Several of our children’s jobs have changed, Our oldest granddaughter will graduate from high school, and the youngest grandson is a year old. Two children have married and two have built new homes. And we are looking forward to seeing you again.

Yes, parting is such sweet sorrow. We will miss these precious people, and we look forward to renewing our time with you. Thanks for your love and support these many months. May the Lord continue to bless you in your journey, and we will see you soon.