Sunday, May 29, 2016

Well, this week our mission was drawing to a close!  Ready or not, we were going to wind things up and head toward home!  It was a super busy week for us.....just like all of the others over these past 2 years.

This bottom floor apartment is where we have called 'home' for this mission.  We have thoroughly enjoyed living here.

On Monday morning we headed to the Atlanta Airport so we could catch our flight to Salt Lake City. We would be attending Ele's graduation.  This was something we had planned to do before Elder Schwitzer asked us to extend until the end of May so that we could 'train' Elder/Dr. and Sister Nickel with the new AMA responsibilities.  We were happy to extend but needed to know if we could still attend the graduation.  Elder Schwitzer told us we could, BUT we would still be on call.  President Kennedy is in our Stake Presidency.  He was our Bishop in the Whitewater Ward when we arrived in Peachtree City in June 2014.  He has a HUGE job at the Atlanta Airport....he is the #1 guy in charge of operations there!  Very impressive.  We have become good friends over our 2 year here.  We texted to let him know we would be catching a flight.  We were sure he didn't have time to come say 'hey' to us before we flew out.  As the flight was boarding, low and behold, here he comes on the jetway to see us off.  What a GREAT guy!!!

We were able to visit Sister Beckstrom in the rehab center where she is currently residing.  She is the sister missionary who was in a very serious car accident in May 2015.  Her companion was killed and Sister Beckstrom was left in pretty serious condition.  After head surgery, we were not sure how she would be.  She will probably never leave the facility and certainly never be able to function as a 'normal' person for the rest of her life.  We were so glad to see her and to talk with her parents again!

Ele's graduation was great.  We were so glad we could come.  We wish we could have gotten permission to attend Tim's and Emsley's last year.

A bonus graduation was that of Ryan.....from Kindergarten!!  We didn't even know about this until we had arrived in Salt Lake.  It was fun to be able to be here as well.

We took a few minutes to walk around on the Provo City Center Temple grounds.  It is beautiful.  We didn't have time to attend a session this time.....but next fall we look forward to that!

While walking around we got to talking to this sweet grounds worker.  Come to find out, she returned from her mission in February 2016.  She had served in the Tennessee Nashville Mission!  One of our missions.  When she looked at our tags she said, "Oh, Dr. Allgaier.  I know you.  You took care of several of my companions.  I wasn't sick but I know who you are!".  We love our mission.

While we were walking around on the temple grounds, we got a phone call from Denise.  She asked where we were.  We told her and she and Melvin invited us to come up visit.  We did.  We didn't get to stay long but it was a very nice visit.

Wednesday night we were able to have a family dinner with all of Kevin and Lauren't family along with Andy and Geralyn's family AND Tyler and Hollie were able to come!  What fun!  We love our family.  We went to the Brick Oven.  

Our 2 graduates of the week!!!  Ele and Ryan.  Good job guys!!

Thursday morning we headed back to Atlanta to do a LOT of last minute things.  Elder/Dr. Allgaier got a call and was by the window in the airport talking so he could have the best reception as possible.  He is such a hard worker.

Friday morning we began the training process.  Elder/Dr. and Sister Nickel will be great.  There was LOTS of material to go over.

At lunch time we were invited to a lunch with President and Sister Foote and the 2 office missionary couples, Elder and Sister Benich and Elder and Sister Jeffrey.

A foto with Elder/Dr. and Sister Nickel.

AND.....then it was time for the Army of Helaman to show up and help us pack our U-Haul truck.  We are so grateful for their help!

While we were packing Nancy Allen and her children came by to say goodbye to us.  I had made them an afghan and was able to give it to them.  Alan, her husband, was still at work and so we didn't get to see him.

These elders were such troopers and GREAT helpers!  We surely love them!!

The very hardest part of leaving was having to say goodbye to 'Lucy'!!!  We love Lucy so much and she has been a great cat.  We will surely miss her.

Part of the 'moving' crew!

We were ready to take off and head north!  I drove our car and Wayne drove the truck.

We got to see our PEACH watertower one more time.....in Gaffney, S.C.  If you look carefully in my rear view mirror, you can see the U-Haul truck right behind me!

We made it to Mt. Airy for Saturday night to have dinner with some of the Goins cousins (my father's side of the family).  How fun to be with them again!!

 Sunday we attended church in the Mt. Airy, N.C. Ward.  We started our mission by attending church here and we were able to end our mission attending here as well.

Sharon and Lester had us over for dinner after church.  We have loved getting to spend time with them while here in the south!!!

 Tomorrow, Monday, we will drive on to our home in Brunswick, Maryland!!!  We are excited and look forward to being home and seeing our family!  We have thoroughly enjoyed and loved every minute of our mission.  So, having completed our 3rd mission....we will head home.