As Time Goes By...

Elder And Sister Davis just celebrated the end of the 15th month of their mission in Riga, Latvia. Just three more months to go. We are looking forward to our departure and dreading it at the same time.  We love the people here that we have served in such a variety of ways. And all our new friends actually seem to want our help, they act like they need us, they tell us they love us; what a rewarding way to spend our time on earth. We truly love the people here and will shed tears of sorrow when we leave.

At the same time, we miss our family and know that they like to be with us, too.  

We have missed two Christmas's with family, lots of birthdays, a few crises and a family reunion. In fact, our oldest grandchild is having her second birthday without us (4 & 5 years) but still sent us an invitation (just to make sure she gets a present from Grandma). Don't worry Bailey, Grandma has the computer remind her whenever it's someones birthday..  

And what about BOB?

Bob is our faithful (but slightly mean) Chihuahua that was left behind 15 months ago. Okay, we brought a look alike on our mission but it isn't the same without the real Bob. The real Bob now has cataracts in both eyes and can't hear well but he can still bark and annoy you no end. 



Now, lest you think Sister Davis is getting "trunky" ( a missionary word for someone who wants to go home before the end of their mission), you can think again. Elder and Sister Davis want to make the most of the next three months.  We have three more Break-the-Fasts, lots more FHE's and Institute classes, a YSA mini-conference to host, lessons to teach, a week of CES Training, a wedding to help with, and we have plenty of time to make even more life-long friends. No, strike that! We are making ETERNAL FRIENDS.

And what good friends we have made here. Just this week at Institute, our most excellent friend Noemi, told us she was bringing treats to Institute. What she didn't tell us, was those treats were in honor of us. She had remembered that our anniversary was Feb. 7th but she knew that we would be out of town that week for CES training.  So she baked a cake for us to celebrate....but not just any cake! Last year on this very blog, Sister Davis posted a picture of     her favorite cake, a Black Forest Cake from Madonna Inn... and she made a cake that is nearly, the exact replica of a Madonna Inn Black Forest Cake.  AMAZING! 

We couldn't believe that someone would do something so nice for a couple of senior missionaries who have been married 37 years and still don't totally understand each other.

But that is the quality of people you meet on a mission.

Because of this mission, we see the world differently. We have learned about the history of Russia & the Baltic countries, about World War II and of course, the Holocaust.  We have learned  to better understand the strength and courage of the people here. We have come to appreciate how important the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is as it makes good people even better.  We see faithful members teaching classes,  helping the poor, raising righteous families and doing all sorts of good things in their respective countries.  We LOVE being missionaries here.

 What a dilemma for two senior missionaries who weren't really sure what they had gotten themselves into 15 months ago.  We can't stand the thought of leaving and can't bear to be away from family...thankfully, we still have three more months to serve our new friends and be the best missionaries we can be. 

And  Time Continues to Go By.....