William Shakespeare penned the quote "parting is such sweet sorrow" in Romeo and Juliet. We could not find any better way to describe how we feel as we prepare to leave Palmyra, New York to return home. The parting is sweet because we will be with our children and grandchildren soon. Parting is sorrow because we leave the people and places we have grown to love.
We could title this post "The Incredible Journey" or "Reflections" and this post will be a little of all three titles.
What an incredible journey this has been. We arrived in Palmyra six months ago. There was an incredible feeling as we looked at our surroundings. Here we were in the cradle of the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The feeling was overwhelming. We were so excited. We can truly say we have not been disappointed ever. This mission exceeded all of our expectations and more.
Nineteen temple missionaries arrived at about the same time. Nineteen temple missionaries from nineteen different temples. We all loved the temples we came from and discussed how things were done in them that were different than the way things were done in Palmyra. Our Temple President, President Brighton told us that we were no longer set apart ordinance workers in any temple but the Palmyra Temple. It was to become "our" temple and that was such wise counsel. As we worked together in "our" temple, we grew together as a group. No longer did we think of any other temple but "our" Palmyra Temple. As we grew together as a group, we grew to love each other as brothers and sisters, not only in the gospel but as brothers and sisters in all ways. We learned of each other's families, trials and blessings.
As temple missionaries, we were asked to serve in wards and branches in the temple district. Most had at least an hour drive to their chapels. Monday morning, only the temple missionaries served in the temple. We shared stories of our wards and branches. Again we grew closer as we talked about the love we had for our ward and branch brothers and sisters.
There are not very many local ordinance workers. We were a little reluctant to serve with them. Many didn't have the opportunity to serve as often as we did and were a little rusty on some of the ordinances. Some travel four to five hours to drive to the temple. They stay overnight and serve the next day. They do this once a month. We, on the other hand, served four days a week. Our wise Temple President asked that we not offend any of the local ordinance workers. He said when we leave, they are the only ordinance workers he has and he needs every one of them. We were to teach by our example, so we tried to be the best examples.
Then came another epiphany from President Brighton. The Palmyra Temple Ordinance Workers were to put emphasis on serving "the one." Who is "the one?" "The one" is a patron. "The one" is the person who the patron is acting as proxy. "The one" is the local ordinance worker. "The one" is our fellow temple missionary. Imagine if whoever you come in contact with is "the one." What a wonderful blessing it was to represent the Savior in His Holy House serving "the one." As His representatives, we served "the one" as he did in His ministry.
As you can see, we have grown in our testimonies and love for all of God's children. How were we ever so blessed to have this opportunity? We thought we came to help the Palmyra Temple and we leave realizing that the Palmyra Temple taught us great gospel principles and the most important of all, serving "the one."
Friday was our last service. As we left the temple at ten p.m., I felt like I was being expelled from the Garden of Eden and thrown out into the Lone and Dreary World. It was very difficult to leave. We talked many times with other temple missionaries that serving in the temple is like being one step closer to heaven. Why would you want to leave that? It is hard and bittersweet. |Parting is sweet sorrow!" We will miss serving in the Palmyra Temple with our brothers and sisters.
We came to Palmyra in the spring. All the trees were dormant from their winter sleep. As we traveled to our Branch in Lowville every week, the trees were waking up and starting to green out. Each week more and more green appeared in different shades and we were in awe of the beauty of the hills and forests. We now know what "can't see the forest for the trees" means. We thought upstate New York was the most beautiful of all places. Summer was corn fields and beans and cabbage growing everywhere. Where once we could see across the fields, now all we could see were corn stalks. Another beautiful and amazing sight. How did they grow so tall so fast? We found out that if the night weather is warm, the corn can grow three inches in one night. Corn picked right off the stalk is like eating candy corn but better, so sweet and crunchy.
Then came the fall. It is indescribable here. We traveled all over taking pictures of the color. Color we have never seen before. We would go north, south, east, west and were never disappointed. Heavenly Father, His Son and Michael created the most beautiful of all places here in upstate New York.
As we prepare to return home, the leaves are falling off the trees and the trees are preparing for their winter sleep. The trees make it a little easier to leave now. We have heard that the Pennsylvania trees are still going strong in color. We are headed home in that direction to Gettysburg, so we are excited to see more color. Elder Perron found a place where there are 30 covered bridges. I asked if he has to take a picture of every one. He said, of course!
We don't know when we will be home. There is still a lot to see in the East and we may take our time touring it. When we think of coming home, we think of snow and our fire place with it's warmth. I love the snow capped hills and the blue, blue sky. It takes my breath away every time I see it. We also live in one of the most beautiful places on earth. We are excited to come home. "Parting is Sweet!"
We leave you now as we pack a few more things. On Monday we return our cable equipment to the cable company in Rochester, gas the car, have a farewell dinner at President and Sister Brighton's home. We leave early Tuesday morning with the Morgan's for breakfast at Tim Horton's, our last time, then on to Gettysburg. We will try to blog as we travel home. I am sure there are many things we will have to share.
Until we see you again................................................................
Much love, Elder and Sister Perron!
Sunday, October 26, 2014
Sunday, October 12, 2014
TRUNKY
Trunky - a slang term used amongst Mormon missionaries, describing a missionary who is excited about returning home. Also restless, antsy, specifically eager to leave or go home. Possibly referring to packing ones trunk!
I hate to admit this but I am Trunky! Wondered what that was all about when I heard people asking missionaries if they were getting trunky. I didn't think I would. I am too old! But the thoughts of coming home, seeing my children, my grandchildren, my friends, my Ward family and my Twin Falls Temple family are really strong. This has been a wonderful mission and I can not imagine that there would ever be one better. I love the people we serve with. They are the cream of the crop. Some have been in temple presidencies, most elders have been stake presidents, and or sealers in other temples We even have a Stake Patriarch who is on a 6 month leave of absence. Our testimonies of this great work and the plan of salvation and the blessings of having a Savior, who loved us enough to die for us, is now foremost in our minds. How were we ever so blessed to be able to be here? We are grateful for all our blessings.
We have experienced the most beautiful color slide show, you could ever imagine. I say beautiful color, because here in New York, the autumn leaves are brilliant in their colors. I have never seen anything like it . When we arrived here, there were no leaves on the trees. Then all of a sudden on our drives to Lowville every Saturday, the leaves started appearing. The forests were unbelievably huge. We know now where the saying came, "can't see the forest for the trees." Trees everywhere, all shapes, all sizes and all mingled together. So when the leaves start turning color, it is like someone has painted a painting, just for us, of these colors that are red, orange, maroon, yellow,
green, and in most cases, different shades of all these colors. So as you look at the forests, you see all these colors and they take your breath away. The slide show comes in play when you drive down the road and pass by all these colors, saying, "Wow, look at those colors," or "that tree is the most beautiful shade or red, I have ever seen." This goes on whenever we get in the car. Elder Perron has spent many hours in our travels to Lowville stopping to take pictures. I wonder how we ever get to our destination, we stop so much. Lately, he has mastered the art of taking pictures while he is driving. That's a little scarey, and considering you can get a ticket for talking on your phone or texting while driving, I asked him, "What do you think they will do when they see you taking pictures while you are driving.?" His reply, "I haven't seen a sign saying you can't take pictures while driving." It's always an adventure with Elder Perron!
We took a train ride to Old Forge to see the trees turning color there. All the missionaries went. We filled one passenger car with just missionaries, 40 of us. We had such a great time. The train ride was 2 hours. We left Palmyra at 6 a.m. and drove two hours to Utica to catch the train. We rode a ski lift to the top of the ski mountain at McCauley ski resort. We spent a couple hours in Old Forge, got back on the train to Utica and drove home from there. It was a long day, but it was so great. We took a couple of missionary couples with us and we had so much fun. I love these outings with all the missionaries. Great times, great memories, so glad we get to take these memories home.
We drove to Lowville yesterday and stopped in Watertown to watch the movie, Meet the Mormons. We met the couple there who just recently joined the church, the MacDonalds, and a couple of other sisters from the ward. An investigator, who I invited to come, also was there. He told us after the movie, that he has decided to be baptized. We were able to sit in on one of his discussions with the Elders. So we are elated about that. He is a very special man and will be a great asset to the branch. The only bad thing is that we will be gone and may not be at his baptism unless we find something to do here until November 15. We have been thinking about the route to take to come home, and maybe seeing some sights on the way. Elder Perron said we could just sightsee until November 15 so we could be here for the baptism. I don't think so. I am trunky, remember?
If you get a chance to see Meet the Mormons, please see it. It is amazing. I cried, Elder Perron cried, the MacDonalds cried. We felt the spirit so strong. Don't miss it. It will be a great missionary tool. Take your friends!
Today, we said goodbye to our Lowville Branch. It was hard. They had a going away potluck after church. We have grown to love those people so much. That is the hard thing about leaving your mission. You have to leave all those people you work with, worship with and love. I just keep thinking what is waiting at home for me, I think I'll be okay!
When we returned home from Lowville, we went to a fireside at the Sacred Grove. It was so amazing. The Elder who plans all of our activities was an Institute teacher and worked for the Church Education System. He has a great love for Joseph Smith. He portrayed him tonight and quoted Joseph Smith's history as if he were him. He didn't read a thing, but quoted word for word the Sacred Grove experience, the Kirtland Temple experience and the martyrdom. He is a great man. His wife, a couple of weeks ago, for family home evening, portrayed Emma Smith and told us all about her life. She dressed up as if she were Emma and she also told all of Emma's story without reading any of it. Can you just imagine the wonderful experiences we have had here. Elder and Sister Neely, our activities planners arranged for our pictures to be taken, as a group in front of the temple and pictures of individual couples. Tonight they gave our pictures to us. These pictures mean a lot to us. Can't wait to show family and friends.
This has been a most amazing experience, serving a mission. As we wind down and start packing and get ready to leave, we will never forget all that we learned and all the people who have touched our lives. Just thinking about this makes me sad, but makes me think that perhaps another mission may be in the future.
We leave you as we prepare for our departure. Until next time....................................much love!
I hate to admit this but I am Trunky! Wondered what that was all about when I heard people asking missionaries if they were getting trunky. I didn't think I would. I am too old! But the thoughts of coming home, seeing my children, my grandchildren, my friends, my Ward family and my Twin Falls Temple family are really strong. This has been a wonderful mission and I can not imagine that there would ever be one better. I love the people we serve with. They are the cream of the crop. Some have been in temple presidencies, most elders have been stake presidents, and or sealers in other temples We even have a Stake Patriarch who is on a 6 month leave of absence. Our testimonies of this great work and the plan of salvation and the blessings of having a Savior, who loved us enough to die for us, is now foremost in our minds. How were we ever so blessed to be able to be here? We are grateful for all our blessings.
We have experienced the most beautiful color slide show, you could ever imagine. I say beautiful color, because here in New York, the autumn leaves are brilliant in their colors. I have never seen anything like it . When we arrived here, there were no leaves on the trees. Then all of a sudden on our drives to Lowville every Saturday, the leaves started appearing. The forests were unbelievably huge. We know now where the saying came, "can't see the forest for the trees." Trees everywhere, all shapes, all sizes and all mingled together. So when the leaves start turning color, it is like someone has painted a painting, just for us, of these colors that are red, orange, maroon, yellow,
green, and in most cases, different shades of all these colors. So as you look at the forests, you see all these colors and they take your breath away. The slide show comes in play when you drive down the road and pass by all these colors, saying, "Wow, look at those colors," or "that tree is the most beautiful shade or red, I have ever seen." This goes on whenever we get in the car. Elder Perron has spent many hours in our travels to Lowville stopping to take pictures. I wonder how we ever get to our destination, we stop so much. Lately, he has mastered the art of taking pictures while he is driving. That's a little scarey, and considering you can get a ticket for talking on your phone or texting while driving, I asked him, "What do you think they will do when they see you taking pictures while you are driving.?" His reply, "I haven't seen a sign saying you can't take pictures while driving." It's always an adventure with Elder Perron!
We took a train ride to Old Forge to see the trees turning color there. All the missionaries went. We filled one passenger car with just missionaries, 40 of us. We had such a great time. The train ride was 2 hours. We left Palmyra at 6 a.m. and drove two hours to Utica to catch the train. We rode a ski lift to the top of the ski mountain at McCauley ski resort. We spent a couple hours in Old Forge, got back on the train to Utica and drove home from there. It was a long day, but it was so great. We took a couple of missionary couples with us and we had so much fun. I love these outings with all the missionaries. Great times, great memories, so glad we get to take these memories home.
We drove to Lowville yesterday and stopped in Watertown to watch the movie, Meet the Mormons. We met the couple there who just recently joined the church, the MacDonalds, and a couple of other sisters from the ward. An investigator, who I invited to come, also was there. He told us after the movie, that he has decided to be baptized. We were able to sit in on one of his discussions with the Elders. So we are elated about that. He is a very special man and will be a great asset to the branch. The only bad thing is that we will be gone and may not be at his baptism unless we find something to do here until November 15. We have been thinking about the route to take to come home, and maybe seeing some sights on the way. Elder Perron said we could just sightsee until November 15 so we could be here for the baptism. I don't think so. I am trunky, remember?
If you get a chance to see Meet the Mormons, please see it. It is amazing. I cried, Elder Perron cried, the MacDonalds cried. We felt the spirit so strong. Don't miss it. It will be a great missionary tool. Take your friends!
Today, we said goodbye to our Lowville Branch. It was hard. They had a going away potluck after church. We have grown to love those people so much. That is the hard thing about leaving your mission. You have to leave all those people you work with, worship with and love. I just keep thinking what is waiting at home for me, I think I'll be okay!
When we returned home from Lowville, we went to a fireside at the Sacred Grove. It was so amazing. The Elder who plans all of our activities was an Institute teacher and worked for the Church Education System. He has a great love for Joseph Smith. He portrayed him tonight and quoted Joseph Smith's history as if he were him. He didn't read a thing, but quoted word for word the Sacred Grove experience, the Kirtland Temple experience and the martyrdom. He is a great man. His wife, a couple of weeks ago, for family home evening, portrayed Emma Smith and told us all about her life. She dressed up as if she were Emma and she also told all of Emma's story without reading any of it. Can you just imagine the wonderful experiences we have had here. Elder and Sister Neely, our activities planners arranged for our pictures to be taken, as a group in front of the temple and pictures of individual couples. Tonight they gave our pictures to us. These pictures mean a lot to us. Can't wait to show family and friends.
This has been a most amazing experience, serving a mission. As we wind down and start packing and get ready to leave, we will never forget all that we learned and all the people who have touched our lives. Just thinking about this makes me sad, but makes me think that perhaps another mission may be in the future.
We leave you as we prepare for our departure. Until next time....................................much love!
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