Cheers!: The time is far spent; there is little remaining…..

“All good things must come to an end.” "Parting is such sweet sorrow.” So they say… It is that time for us. This is a time of mixed feelings and a jumble of emotions. We are so excited to return home to our wonderful family who are waiting with open arms, at the same time tearing ourselves away from Bristol and the joy we have found here is very difficult.

Last Saturday we took Fran on an excursion of a life time! We had promised her for a birthday present we would take her to Costco. She had never been there before and finally last week we were able to schedule it. Alas we forgot to catch and preserve it on camera. Fortunately she took many pictures of all the things she had never seen before, especially products in such huge quantities. Pretty awesome when something so simple can make some one so excited!

It has been a week of good byes. Do not like good byes but then I do not know many people who do. Sunday was a lovely day. We were able to attend the Downend Ward. Our sweet friend Medea Zhang, she is the recent convert from China I have mentioned before, was giving her first Sacrament meeting talk. I really wish I could have recorded it. She did a magnificent job. It is a profound experience to witness the ‘mighty change’ in people as they embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ!

We have many YSA friends in that ward so it was nice to worship with them. We attended the YSA Sunday School class and enjoyed it. It is wonderful that the course of study this year is the New Testament.

Sunday evening we attended the re-broadcast of the World Wide Young Adult Devotional presented by Randall Ridd of the General Young Men Presidency. It was held at the Wells Rd building with a light supper after. The talk was phenomenal and the evening warm and enjoyable. It was our first round of last farewells however and the tug on my heart strings began. Several of our sweet friends were going on holiday this week so we had to say our parting words there and then. Then it was group picture time, the last group picture time. Thank goodness for pictures and texting!

Sister Sowter enters the MTC Provo on March 10th

We celebrated a last good bye again Monday evening with a meal and FHE for the YSA in our own Southmead Ward. I think we will make the most out of this good bye stuff and party as much as we can. It was just a great evening! Most of the young single adults from our ward attended. We ate, mingled and shared a spiritual message. It was with a lump in my throat that I shared my testimony and the admonition to never let go of the iron rod. Amazing how it feels like they all belong to me!

Tuesday sorting and sifting and organizing! Closing down the flat means a lot of foot work.

Wednesday the next round of parting moments…our last missionary District meeting. Elder Terry asked if we would take some time and share what we have learned from this mission and any words of wisdom we could impart. So there we were talking to ‘our kids’ again. I try really hard to put into words these experiences and feelings but I know that I fall short. I will always see in my mind’s eye those 8 humble dedicated young faces looking to us for council and advice!

gift to us from the Bristol District

The Wells Rd elders made us beans on toast for lunch! Believe it or not it was my request. They make us laugh with their comradery. Someone got a basketball out while the food was cooking and Sister Dantzscher was by far the best shot among them. More good bye hugs and teary eyes.

Elder Preece shared the 'parable of the pickles' from Elder Bednar

Wednesday evening was the monthly YSA meal. It is now held at Adrian and Brenda’s home. There were at least 13 there and the food and company was top notch. Bill and I have teased them since we first came that we could take the lot of them and match them up one to one with a marriage partner. We do actually have a list, which of course we will not share with them. You should have heard them try to pry the information out of us. It is mostly all in good fun, but with a little bit of seriousness to it. Sometimes the best things in life are right under your nose. No final farewells that night. We did however accidentally leave our camera and this is what we found when it was returned.

Thursday the regular Institute instructor Scott Balloch had asked if we would combine classes and teach the lesson. The subject was from several sections of the Doctrine & Covenants dealing with the Law of Consecration and the United Order. I am not sure why it seemed so daunting to us but the whole day we both felt the responsibility of the assignment keenly.

The lesson went well, the spirit was strong, the valiant thoughts and testimonies of these fine young people filled the room. Then we had to give our final farewell speech. We have spent hundreds of hours with them in all kinds of circumstances. There have been many FB conversations and hours of one on one counseling and priesthood blessings. We have laughed and cried during games and activities. We have danced and worked and prayed with them and now we have to say good bye. Our lives are changed! We are not the same people we were. As we were singing the closing song “I Stand all Amazed” I was engulfed by a spirit of love and joy. I knew that it had been our job to represent the Savior for the last 18 months and the reward for that service means we are privileged to feel His powerful love for them. What a privilege!

Thank you for the wonderful remembrances!

We now have a lot of adopted Preece's Pieces

Friday was deliver furniture day. The great missionaries in the Southmead ward were the movers. Bill rented a van and they all headed to Bath to take our ‘excess’ to the sister missionaries there. They have a pretty sparsely furnished flat and were really excited about new furnishings.

fairy princess making a count down chart till Grandma and Grandpa come home

Now for the excitement!! We can’t wait to see our children and grandchildren! We are excited to go home to sunny AZ! So many friends to greet and embrace! Our little 4 year old grandson Markus said he dreamed that “grandma Preece made him a cake”. I can’t wait! 5 year old Miles said not to worry grandma, you don’t have to say good bye just say “see you later”! 7 year old Olivia made an advent calendar to count the days tell grandma and grandpa come home. 9 year old Jakey wanted me to know he saw a red cardinal today! And on and on!

I can’t help but think about the day when we all leave this mortal life it will be heart wrenching and sad to say good bye to loved ones here but just think the glorious reunion with those on the other side of the veil!

Four more days in Bristol, then we drive the Bristol Flyer up to the mission office and turn in our keys. We will attend the temple one last time, have dinner with Elder and Sister Cannon one of the office couples and then stay at a hotel near the airport for a 10:30 am departure from Heathrow Thursday morning. Whoa that made my stomach do flip flops!

So I will just end by saying “See you all later!”

Things you will not see in AZ: