More Things We Are Going to Miss in Samoa

As we sit to write some "lasts" and reflect on other things we will miss, we begin to reflect on what a great experience this has been and what lasting memories we have made.  When we first arrived 17 months 1 week ago, we met Elder and Sister Jacobs who saved us.  They could laugh and they understood Theron's humor.  Thank you Jacobs, we love you.  Then Elder and Sister Gillette arrived and we were able to show them a little of the routine and we have now served with them 16 months (give or take a few days).  We love the Gillettes and hope to be able to see the Idaho farm up close and personal one of these days.  Shortly after this, Elder and Sister Ellsworth arrived to take over the mission office duties.  Sister Ellsworth is in command and that is exactly what is needed when running this mission office.  Elder Ellsworth has just learned a new skill - making neckties - we love you Ellsworths.

There are other senior couples who have come and gone, but these are dear to our hearts and seem more like kindred spirits.  No matter where we have served, we are always impressed with the senior couples who come to serve.  They have so many skills, lifetime experiences and love of the Lord; we will miss all the senior missionaries.

I'm trying to use the last of the food supply in the refrigerator and freezer, so I probably won't be going to Lucky's and King Arthur's again.  Meal planning will consist of eating out the last couple of weeks and just grabbing some leftover thing in the refrigerator.  We will always need a fresh loaf of bread and perhaps another jar of peanut butter, but for the most part, we are finished buying groceries.

We will still buy our fresh niu to drink each day (that's young coconuts).  Stella's stand will be one of the last places we will visit on our last day, September 30.

I have always loved buying fresh fruits and vegetables from roadside stands and especially Taufusi Market's drive through vegetable stand.  We will have to go back one last time for some misiliki - the small bananas that are sooooooooooo goooooood.  I am truly going to miss these!!!!

Right now is mango season so we will be buying fresh mango and if we can spot one or two we may buy a fresh pineapple that vine ripened.  None of that stuff you import green and wait to ripen.

We were able to see the Brookie, Jesse and Lauren today sitting in their new high chairs.

 We also saw Kacy today and she had food all over her face.  Tyce was a chatterbox with new glasses that are brown instead of blue;

Ali was in a happy mood because of the birds on the patio and she has started Kindergarten; and Mason just turned 8 years old.

So with all the good stuff that is here and all around us, I'm not going to miss watching these kids grow up through FaceTime.

Just three more weeks and we'll be home to see them in person and share pictures and stories of our time here and the things we miss about Samoa.