Leaving Guernsey with heavy, conflicted hearts!

As of the eighth of November we have been on our mission 6 months, so now almost seven months. It has been very different that what we thought we were getting into before we came, but we are still very busy and always trying to think of new things to do and ways to support the missionaries here on Guernsey. We have worked so hard the past five months to stay here, even though we were surprised to be sent to Guernsey. We have been drawn into the needs of this little branch and feel it is a small sacrifice to be here, when some of them have been one or two in a branch for many years, and looking globally at the conditions and needs of the members this is nothing. Elder Hewlett just talked to President Gubler and it looks like the Wells in Portsmouth will be coming here and we will be going to Portsmouth. We made reservations on the "fast" ferry on Monday afternoon. the ferry only leaves a couple of times a week during the winter, so we had to make the reservations. It I s really quite sad to be leaving, but we have faced significant stress dealing with the tax issues on Guernsey. We wish that hadn't arisen. As we prepare to leave we have tried to visit everyone and leave them each a gift from us ... I have tried to choose them carefully and some I still have to send, but I think we know them quite well by now and love them all so much.

The way they package Christmas tree is brilliant. Our Irish garden center owner who had been to Utah and went searching for rocks near Delta.

Our first Christmas tree of 2017, but not our last.

Anna Prevel's "Light the World first day gift" six for us and
the elders, advent chocolate calendars and when the other two missionaries came she made two more. We love Anna and
this was amazing.

Our last dinner together with most of the branch that was still around. Some had left for Christmas.

Last Dinner again ... President Furbank was here for a stake
visit and to try and figure all of the issues out. We left two
days later.

Packing our car to leave. Shopping bags with some of my favorite things from my favorite stores, cake plates from charity shops, large white serving dishes I bought and have used almost every week. We leave behind our polka dot tablecloths, our barbecue, our water dispenser, our fire pit .... they belong on Guernsey. If I could bring the barbecue I would.