Constancy Amid Change

As we completed our final two days in Portugal, we couldn't help but reflect upon the previous 18 months of our mission. Missionaries come and go but the missionary spirit lives on forever.

On our last day we went to the Orient Station to help the missionaries who were transferred.

Our time upon the stage is over and we will move on, but the teaching of the Gospel continues. The course of the Lord is one eternal round.

New Sisters arrived, their trainers came in from their various areas and two Sisters just completed their mission and were returning home.

Parting is such sweet sorrow and we know that we may never see many of these people again in this life. However, we also know that relationships are eternal and that we will once again meet each other.

Such a fitting way to say good-bye by attending the temple with the other missionaries who were also leaving.

Our final dinner and evening with President and Sister Barcellos.

The Barcellos are truly among the elect.

Transferred

At 2:00 am we arrived at the Lisbon airport with our bags packed and ready to go.

Our trip home included a flight from Lisbon to Frankfurt, an eleven hour polar flight from Frankfurt to San Francisco and finally a short flight to Salt Lake City.

Our New Beginning

As one adventure drew to a close, another began.

Our Eternal Family

Such joy to be met by those we love.

Time to be with the grandchildren.

Our first morning home we enjoyed a special walk with our granddaughter, Emily.

Our Eternal Friends

Ten days after our arrival home, we delivered our homecoming addresses in sacrament meeting.

We were honored and thrilled to reunite with three couples that served with us in Portugal.

We are so grateful for the opportunity that we have had to serve the Lord. Our mission blessed us as Sister Erickson and I developed a closer relationship one with another and stronger testimonies of the restored Gospel. Both of us also developed a closer relationship with our Savior, Jesus Christ. We know that He lives and that this is His Church and His Gospel.

It was worth it!