Ashley, Brooke, and us on our last Sunday in Montana. It has been such a privilege to share a home with these two celestial sisters and friends for life.
Pulling out of the immaculate grounds of Richard and Deanne's home. There aren't even words to express our gratitude for their friendship and hospitality. Friends forever!
Had to have a farewell breakfast with the Kalispell zone before we departed town. These Elders and Sisters will remain our special friends forever. They taught us so much about dedication, perseverance,character, and going the extra mile. It is hard to look at this picture and not miss being with them and involved in the work with them. We love each of them and feel privileged to have labored in His work with them.
One of our last contacts was with this special man. We found his name on the ward list and had to find him. His name is Jerry Leon Stevenson. After knocking on his front door and talking with him we found out he was born in Santaquin, Utah which is were Gayle Stevenson,DAD, was born and we know they are related. His home was a representation of how hard his life has been. He is not in the best of Heath yet spends his days taking care of his wife who has the final stages of diabetes. The front porch we were standing on was dilapidated and broken free of the house frame. A tree had fallen on his roof 5 years ago and knocked part of the home off the foundation and has had a leak in his roof ever since. The roof was caked with moss and fungus. The ward has tried to help him but he has refused their help for some reason we weren't able to determine. Now they are losing even this home and have no idea where they are going.
This type of living situation is not all that uncommon in the rural parts of the area and has moved us to tears more than once. This earthly experience is so difficult for so many. We thought of a 25 year old ""Jerry" and wondered what hopes, dreams, plans, and desires he had for himself and his family. Now destitute, broken, alone with a terminally ill wife. Our hearts were so full of love for him and all in like situations. We just hope that he could feel that love for the brief moments we were with him. We could tell he was excited to know Alecia was a relative and loved seeing a smile on his face.
We know The Lord cares for and loves EVERY SOUL of his creation whether in a little trailer in the back woods of Montana or in a hut in a jungle of Indonesia. We just feel blessed to be able to be a part of this,HIS, work in even the smallest of ways,
We felt it was serendipitous that the wheat fields had been harvested as we were driving out of town,
Then a pink rainbow as we crossed the border into Utah. WOW.
They still don't have a place, flat, for us in Dunedin so we are going to stay in a flat that has been used by the Sister missionaries in a town called Oamaru which is 1 1/2 hours north of Dunedin. We googled it and it looks like a fun town. Can't wait to get there. Our travell plans may change to a Tuesday departure because of loads to Sydney.
We feel that our time in Kalispell was so special and part of the Lord's plans for us. We are so much more prepared to hit the ground running in NZ.
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