I had a different email for my last one and didn't really talk about my last week. So here's that!!
Tuesday we went to a members house and it was their little boys birthday! We got to celebrate a little with them:) The dad educated me on the many languages besides Spanish that they speak in Spain. He made fun of me pretty hard for not knowing what Catalan was (a regional language). Got wrecked.
They live in Echternach which is a town SUPER close to Germany. On our bus ride there, the bus didn't stop at our stop and we thought it was going to drive over the bridge into Germany haha we PANICKED... wouldn't have been the first time I was in Germany though.. It stopped right before the border so no worries. We met a member who I've ALWAYS heard about even since the last time i was in Luxembourg (Sister Elder hehe) but have never met her. She pulled us aside when we got off the bus and she told us she wanted to take us out for brunch!! The best.
Then on Wednesday I had my last district council. It was aight. Not much to report.
We taught Cosette, who is a 7 year old preparing for baptism. She is the cutest and their family made it work out so I could come see them one more time before I left. We shared some insights on the gospel of Jesus Christ and why baptism is such an essential step. Played some games. Had some laughs. It was a tender moment. I love that family and I am grateful to have been able to teach Cosette. Fun fact, Sister Cameron and I taught Cosette's cousin, Aaron, for baptism almost a year earlier :')
We had a JA Just Dance activity. It probably wasn't the most appropriate place or the most appropriate songs. But they seemed to still have fun lol. My comp went ham with the dancing. The JA activities will always have a place in my heart. I worked with the young adults a lot throughout my mission. As I've been home and had the calling extended to teach Sunday school for the youth I have recognized that that is where my heart is. I love them and I love teaching and learning with them.
Thursday I had my departing interview with President. I don't know what I expected but it was a good chat.
Institute in Luxembourg always slapped. The teacher was amazing and this last institute class was no exception. We did a deep dive into part of the plan of salvation and the Old Testament. I was edified.
Friday was zone conference and I had to bear my departing testimony. It was a surreal experience. I watched other missionaries do that for months and then it was my turn. It felt weird.
Sunday, my girl Maigualida was baptized. I love this woman. And even though no matter how much I taught and spoke to her, she never thought I could speak Spanish.
"Hablas español Hermana?" 😭 Si Maigualida. Hablo español jeje.
Then Monday was p-day. Nothing special just picked up some odds and ends. Tuesday we went to brunch with Sister Elder and Sister Houghton. It was really fun and we went to a place that I have wanted to go to the whole time I was in Luxembourg. I got an eggs Benedict. Delicious.
Wednesday was the final day. I picked up all my stuff and we headed to transfers. The last time. I am relieved to never have to haul missionary luggage across Paris ever again I will say that. Brutal. I saw my past compas and said my goodbyes to my people and we booked it to the temple in Versailles.
The temple was the best thing ever. All the departing missionaries went through. It was the first time I had been back since I was endowed in 2020. I missed it. I was taught so much too. The Paris temple is incredible. I highly recommend going there if you ever find yourself in France. I felt so much peace and happiness while I was in there. Blessings. I wish I could've gone more throughout my mission.
Afterwards we went to Presidents house and we ate and chatted and gave more testimonies. It was so special to be there with all the missionaries who had finished. We did it. We made it through. All because of Jesus Christ, He has been good to us. He has been good to me.
The next morning we headed off to the airport. Everything went very smoothly.
My flight was 10 hours long. I left at 10 am Paris time and got home at 1 pm Utah time the same day jeje make it make sense idk ;)
When I got off the flight we went through customs and I hauled all my luggage to the elevator because my family didn't want to be where everyone else was and it be crowded. So I went to the elevators and the doors opened and there they were.
My besties.
Seeing my family and being able to hug them for the first time in so long was the best. It was one of my favorite days EVER.
one of my companions flew in from Oregon too. It was such a happy surprise to see her there.
I got to meet my niece for the first time.
It was wonderful.
We took all that wonderfulness to the canyon and ate cafe rio. The fall leaves held out for me and it was beautiful. I missed big cottonwood. My family held a mini birthday party for me since I was a bit sad about celebrating without them this year. Emmy made me a beautiful Biscoff (Speculoos) birthday cake that looked professional.
Later that night we had Wasatch pizza. So good.
The first night home was weird. I just kind of sat on my sisters bed and was hit in the face with the realization that: this was it. It was over. I finished it. Kind of whack but it didn't last too long. Mostly because the next morning I was headed to Moab and was extremely excited.
That's it. That was my very last week as a missionary. Not too shabby if you ask me.
I love my mission and am extremely grateful for it.
Talk soon, xoxo
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