"This week was an interesting one.
We had our final interview with our mission president, he goes home in under two weeks now. It was quite weird to say the least. Said our good byes and he talked a bit about the changes he has seen in me since the beginning of my mission, that was probably the highlight of my week.
The work was okay this week. We also went to the mountains for a service project to help dig holes for sister lineo. She needs us to dig 3000 holes to plant trees..... its rough.... but its also good service and a good back work out. So we headed the 45 min drive to find that she bunked us! she said she was worried about snow and didnt want to do it that day. well we just drove almost an hour and we werent about to waste that time. so we drove a little bit further down the road to get to some mountains with snow! yes snow in Africa!!! We parked on the side of the road and started our journey up the frosty slope. of course this is the day I forgot my camera so I didnt get a ton of great pictures..... eish..... but onward.... We were about 30 minutes behind the first group of elders. The mountain we decided to climb didnt have a path or trail by any means so luckily since we were behind the first group we were able to follow their foot prints in the snow. None of us were quite expecting to take an expedition through the snow but hey, adventure is out there! there were parts along the mountain where the snow got fairly deep. When we got to the top we took some cool pictures and then built a snow man. some of the Elders were to cold and left early but we toughed it out and froze our fingers to do something that none of you will ever get the chance to do in your life. and that is build an amazing snowman in the mountains of Africa.... worth it! After the snowman needless to say we were all frozen and ready to go home..... but unfortunately we had a snowy slope to get down and home seemed far far away. we decided the best approach would be to run! I still don't know how no one broke any bones as we were sliding down the mountain as fast as we could, slipping and falling along the way. Elder Adlard did get a nice gash in the leg and filled a nice circle of blood in his jeans. we then found it to be to dangerous to run down so I then sat down on my butt and scooted down creating a nice slide for the others to freely follow. now we were cold and soaking wet head to toe from sliding, rolling and falling in the snow. but finally we made it to the bottom. it twas quite the adventure."
Saying goodbye to his mission president
Mission Coin!
"Well it was a pretty weird week with a lot of spare time and other things happening so I guess that's it.
Love you all!
Elder North"
Package!! :)
He sent a package a little while ago and it finally came this week! I went over to his parent's house to pick them up and hung out with them for a bit. I got an Africa necklace, his name tag, two keychains: one of a lion and the other spells out my name, a South Africa bag, a mini traditional Lesotho hat and a handmade ornament with my name embroidered (spelled wrong, but he knew that haha) and a letter. I seriously love all of it so much! He is the best.
Fixing a toilet of less active member with Elder Changler
Glass coke bottles
"Our awesome investigator studying the Book of Mormon like a boss!"
Semp and beans
Time has flown by in so many ways but there have definitely been some slow days, weeks, and months. I've had a lot of time to reflect on this last year of life and it just kind of hit me how much we've both grown up in such a short time. Don't get me wrong, I still feel like a kid trying to adult with no idea what I'm doing sometimes, but I at least have a year of trial and error under my belt haha. We've somehow gotten through one whole year of being apart, of growing, of learning, of trials and setbacks, of sadness and joy and through all of that we still have each other. I think back to how I felt during those last few days together, how scared I was, how excited and sad and happy I was at the same time, but also how much I loved him and would miss him. One year later and I'm still a little scared. Scared of the future, scared of not being what he needs me to be or what the Lord needs me to be. One year later and I'm still excited about so many things. Excited about our future, excited about how much more we'll get to grow and learn in the next year and of course excited to see him again. One year later and I'm still a little sad, because it's hard to be without my best friend and the man I love for so long. One year later and I'm still so happy, because I'm the luckiest girl in the world to have him to love and to love me in return, even if it is from far away, and I'm still so happy because he gets to spend this time serving the Lord and His people. One year later and I miss him so much more than I ever thought would be possible, and I miss him more every day. One year later and I've only fallen more in love with him in every sense of the word. I didn't know it would be possible to love someone this much, especially being apart, but I've learned to love him in new ways that I don't think I could have if he were here. One year later and I'm still sure that he's the one I want to spend the rest of forever with, to share those sacred temple covenants with and take on whatever life throws at us hand in hand. It's the best thing ever that I get to say that I'll see him in one year!!!
This is just what I sent to him last week, and I'll include his response:
"I'm thankful for every moment I've gotten to share with you, together or apart. This last year has been one of the hardest of my life but with you by my side cheering me on it's been one of so much growth and maturing and I wouldn't change a thing. One year from now we'll be together again, and I can promise you that I'm never letting you leave me again :) But until then, here's to one more year of learning, experiencing, growing, trials, triumphs, and love. Continue working hard, giving your all to your mission and loving the people with all of your heart. I'm so proud of the man you're becoming and it's amazing to see your testimony grow. You are such a strength to me and I'm so thankful for you every single day."
"one more year. one day closer, one step further. to be together as one. I love you so much. I am not really going to even try and say something as great as that or act like I have this all under control but all I really know is that I love you so much and always will! You make it so easy to love you! thank you babe.
Always
Elder Mookie"
This one made me laugh hahaha
"Got my new suit today!! I lauve it!!!"
And here's some fun little throwback pictures to when he left. :)
This pictures still almost makes me cry every time.
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