the 9th through 11th days
Today was our last day, it was so hard to say goodbye to our friends that we have become even closer to through this last week. There were so many of us that they had to put us in two computer labs, and we were just a few of the couples that were left.
When we pulled in on Tuesday morning they were loading the big missionary bus that takes the missionaries to the airport. There must have been a lot that left because the cafeteria was much more quiet that day than it had been since we arrived last week.
The new senior couples came in Monday but they didn't have as big a group as ours. I may be biased (yes I know) but all the older teachers and the younger returned missionaries that taught us said that we were really a special group and we all felt it too.
The teachers told us that the church needs so many more seniors than they have and it made us feel good to really be needed. At our age it is easy to just fade away and wait to die or travel all over trying to get every minute in before we die. This is so much better and the Spirit testifies to us how important the work is that all the missionaries are doing.
This week we spent the whole time in the computer lab, Monday wasn't bad but Tuesday I hated it, we worked on finances and I'm certainly glad they aren't letting me do it in the mission because I would give away more than I would take in.
Yesterday they seperated us from our partners and they worked on the finances and we worked on posting baptisms, letters to families, missionaries etc. and doing the mission newsletter. I am going to lose my mind trying to get that cut and paste right!
So great to see our little ones (Tymber, Tyme and Kenya) at OutBack. We love our grandchildren so much and I had to work so hard not to cry again, but I did pretty good, as did Elder Ward.
Elder Ward did so good on our final exams today, he was through before most of the men and I came along really good until I got to the cut and paste, oh well, this too shall pass.
Tomorrow we finish up everything; cleaning, packing etc. We are going to leave on Saturday morning and stay the first two nights in Cheyenne, we are staying over on Sunday and going to church there and then leave on Monday to stay that night in Omaha. We have been sort of in limbo these past two weeks, not a home here and not in the mission field yet. It will be so good to finally be really serving. Time to go to bed, Elder Ward is asleep in the chair, I have to get him into bed so we can finish up tomorrow. Love you all.

8th Day

Today we started our classes in a new building and our numbers were fewer than last week. We were still one of the largest groups of office missionaries. We learned the computers and I really had a fun time learning new things about the computer, Dad even learned some things. I finally learned how to put pictures on the computer and I will try and do it tomorrow night.
Dad and I really had a good time on the Excell, I was so glad that I had that at work and boy, did I learn all the things you can do. Our teachers (returned missionaries) were really impressed that we were all pretty good on computers, Dad and some of the others were very good. They have had missionaries come through that have had trouble turning on the computer, but how special they were for keeping in there and learning.
Dad and I went out to dinner with Uncle Mark and Aunt Kaye tonight. We had such a wonderful time, they are still planning on going on a mission too, but are a little frightened because of the unknown and leaving everything, along with Mark's health. When we left Mark gave me a hug and Kaye did more than one with tears in their eyes, we have become so close this last year and it is hard to leave them, but we told them that we would be there for their homecoming.
Enjoyed our visit with Mark and Kristine's family this weekend and the beautiful piano solo of Elisha's.
We love you all.