Goodbyes don't get any easier. Or maybe they do, but this is one of the hardest goodbyes I've ever had to face. This week, I not only had to say goodbye to Sister Moss (who is now one of my closest friends) and 30 other amazing missionaries I came to love, but I had to say goodbye to the Packards. President and Sister Packard, Angela and Michael. Brutal. I can't even describe how it feels to you.
Just to hit the big events, on Friday we went to Worcester bright and early for our Farewell Conference with President Packard. Bru-tal. I already said that, didn't I? Gah. Okay, so first, President gave a beautiful training/testimony on the Sabbath Day. It was really incredible. But I was sooo nervous throughout the whole thing, because right after that, it was Sister Bybee, Sister Moss and I performing the musical number. I wanted President to feel my testimony and thanks though song! I was so scared until I stood at the pulpit, then I was okay. We sang our hearts out! It was Alive, by Natalie Grant. Poor Sister Bybee squeaked at one point, but other than that, we were happy with our performance. Sister Packard hugged us, in tears, before she spoke.
Sister and President Packard both spoke to us (missionaries) for the last time there. Sister Packard was an emotional wreck, which didn't help any of us. :( We're excited for the Millers, we really are! It's just a crazy hard transition. President Packard shared his powerful testimony, counseled us, and blessed us. We sang "God Be With You Till We Meet Again". There was hardly a dry eye in the room, and then they took the time to hug each and every one of us at the end. We made a quick dash to the car so I wouldn't have to face anyone, and I cried most of the way to Central Falls.
We hit Central Falls for a quick African meal from my dear friend Faith on the way to our Open House in Providence! :) Her mom made us Fufu. Sister Moss was soon excited, since her boyfriend is serving his mission in Ghana. :D I love her! It was a bunch of fun, and a perfect distraction before an Open House! We drove the10 minutes to Providence and set up. We went on exchanges so that Sister Moss could go contacting/giving tours on her last night as a missionary, and I could finish the surprise goodbye video for President and Sister Packard. So here's the thing--we secretly asked every missionary to film themselves saying thank you/goodbye to the Packards for 10 seconds and send it to us, so we could piece it together into a beautiful video. Took awhile, but I worked hard on that thing! Meanwhile, we had discussed with the Digital Mission Sisters another gift idea. I mentioned a muriel of all the missionaries they served with, pieced together to make the Boston temple. Sister Thompson and Sister Webber loved that idea, so they ran with it! So we were simultaneously making the perfectgoodbye gifts for the Packards. <3
We ended up crashing in Central Falls again (after a successful night!), then getting up early to play Ultimate Frisbee! Crazy, that tradition started in Central Falls when I was there; every Saturday morning, frisbee with Brother Frandsen and Bishop and every missionary we could find! Since then, they've gotten more missionaries to come and found a better field. It was the best! :) I love seeing these people again. We had to head out in order to make it to transfer meeting on time. I know, on a Saturday! The schedule is so different this time. It's all because the Packards and 32 missionaries are leaving at the same time! That's a ton! Every one of them, plus the Presidency, took 2-3 minutes to bear their final testimonies. And we had two musical numbers. That's a long, heartbreaking meeting. The muriel was also presented to them. I'll never forget Sister Packard clapping her hand to her heart, and President's face tightening as he fought not to cry. What a meeting. The Spirit and the unity was so strong, and it was insane to see Sister Moss up on the stand. She's a wonderful, powerful missionary. She used the 18 months she had well. I hope I can do the same--the time is flying waaaaay too fast. :P
Two hours, another round of "God Be With You Til We Meet Again", more tears, more hugs later, I was with my new companion, Sister Cruz. Man, I'm so glad I love her already! She's the greatest! We had two events that night, and she was such a trooper, going from a Culture night in Cambridge to a Baptism in Belmont. Guess who's baptism we went to??? Chris DeHart. Susan's husband. Oh my goodness, it was soon special! I can't believe how far they've come, and now they have a precious baby girl named Lucy! She's darling. :) Susan said she couldn't be happier. Well, that's what the gospel does for you, right? :)
Sunday, we actually had a chance to go to our home ward. Which was a first, and a blessing, because of course the Packards were there, speaking for the last time. Both of their testimonies were again, stunning. President shared 5 ways to guarantee that you will never stop progressing in the gospel, so we don't have to be afraid of slipping back into who we were. I'll cherish that forever! Then, at the end, the Bishopric made a last minute decision to switch the closing hymn to "God Be With You TIl We Meet Again." Of course.
After that, we helped out at the mission home all day! The departing missionaries were having a feast, so we helped prepare it! We hung a banner and rolled out a red carpet, and when all the departing missionaries came back, we clapped and cheered as they entered the house. :) The best part was when the Packards pulled up last! We all stood on either side of the red carpet and put our hands up for them to walk under! Sister Cruz caught the best picture of them ever! :) :) I'll send it.
At the end of the night, all of us who were remaining sat down and watched the video I put together. We had it projected up on the wall. I knew the Packards would love it, but I didn't know how much. They laughed and cried through the whole thing, and when the movie was over, we just sat in silence while Sister Packard wept. I will never forget the feeling in the room, nor the following conversation. President read Alma 26 with us, we prayed together, then we took off for the night.
The last time I saw them was Monday. We spent the whole day helping clean their house to be ready for the Millers. The other departing missionaries had already left, so it was just our Zone helping out. There was lots to do, but somehow we got it all done before they had to go to the airport to pick up the Millers and leave. I got to give them one last hug--my parents in the MBM--and then they got in the car. President called out to us to tell us he loved us, and then his face crumpled as he drove away. :'( It was so hard! I'm sorry if I sound dramatic about all of this. I'm trying to somehow capture how much they meant to me and how much of an impact they've had on our lives for eternity. I can hardly think about not having them here. But I love and trust the Lord. I know His timing is perfect. I wouldn't have it any other way, and I'm so grateful for even having a minute with Dan and Alison Packard.
The Packards helped me develop a very real, very personal relationship with my Savior. I want to commit to you now, that no matter what happens, I will never fall away from the truths I have learned. The gospel will be my life for the rest of my life. Nothing exists that comes within a universe of the same significance. I know that to be true with every fiber of my being, and I will live in a way that reflects that truth.
I love you all so dearly.
Love,
Sister Merkley
MBM PVC Missionary
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