Last Sunday in Our Mission

Today was an awesome day and our last Sunday here in the mission.  We picked up the Hives family for church, like we've done almost every Sunday for well over a year.  We told them that this was our last Sunday here and promised to write to them and visit them again.  We love them so much. 

Today was Sister Hives' baptism!  What a fantastic way to wind up our mission!  We have worked with her, prayed for her, talked with her on the phone, taken her and her two daughters and grandson to church, waited for her to get ready for church - sometimes for over an hour - and loved her. 

After her baptism we had the family and the assistantswho taught her over for dinner.  We had a wonderful visit.  It was hard to say goodbye.

Tonight we attended the monthly "Why I Believe" fireside, where new converts tell about their conversion.  The minute we walked into the chapel, we felt that we'd be called on to bear our testimonies.  Sure enough, when President Wade stood to give his closing remarks, he called both of us to the stand and asked us to share our testimonies.  We were so happy to have this opportunity before leaving the mission.  We have had a Spirit-filled day, and one of the best things is that I talked to my mother and all my children.

We are thankful to our Father in Heaven for this wonderful day, for our mission, our family, our old and faithful friends, and for all the new friends we've made here in Oakland.