Elder and Sister Williams' Nevada Reno Mission: Homeward Bound

This will probably be our last blog for this mission. Sadly we are being sent home along with most other senior missionaries in the world. We have mixed feelings. Unfortunately, the things we looked forward to doing when we get home are things we can't do now--spending time with family and friends, going to favorite restaurants, movies, shopping malls, etc.. For the first 14 days we are not supposed to leave the house for any reason and probably won't for a while after that.

Things are changing faster than we can keep up with them. Wednesday we got a call saying we needed to stay in our apartments and to not go near the young missionaries. The office secretary called and said we were given the option of going home. Later in the day President Godoy called and said going home was mandatory. Then we got a call asking us to drive an elder to Reno and to pick up another elder in Elko on our way back. So much for staying away from the young missionaries..

Our Zone Leader, Elder Fitzsimmons (from Maine), was just called to be an Assistant to the President. We are happy for him but will miss him. We have served with him since we got here last summer.

Elder Williams and Elder Fitzsimmons

We feel sorry for the young missionaries as they are all confined to their apartments for at least 30 days. At least we have TV and internet!

Sunday Meeting at Stake President's House

Last Sunday we were invited to the Stake President’s house for “church”. The elders were there as well (this was when we could still be around them). There was a sweet spirit there and we appreciate everything President Fullmer has done for us. There was young, newly baptized family there also. The father was able to pass the sacrament for his first time. It was a special experience for all of us. After church we went to our Bishop's house for lunch. He is a former marine and you can tell. We love him.

Home Church

Yesterday, Marc and I had our own church meeting. Marc blessed the sacrament. I don’t remember when I have felt the spirit so strongly before as I partook of the sacrament. Our Stake Conference had been scheduled for that Sunday so our stake presidency recorded their talks on Facebook and we were able to watch those.

We feel like we have accomplished much but finished little. We were making progress with many people who we taught. We have grown to love them and wish we could stay and see the fruits of our labors. We have made many friends and leave with heavy hearts. Marc sent a final report to the bishops saying that Ministering Brothers and Sisters can do anything we have done. We hope that they will follow up.