A WEEK OF "LASTS!"

Our last morning Correlation Meeting . . .

. . . our last work assignments for the year, including cutting down the flowers and plants we've been watering all summer . . .

. . . and putting away all the handcarts . . . 

 . . . first at the Trek Center . . .

. . . and then at the Barn, being careful to leave space around them so that the winter missionaries can walk there this winter when it is too cold and snowy and windy to walk outside.

Somehow numerous knots got ties on the last covered handcart, 
but we finally got them loose . . .

 . . . and the last wagon got pushed into the Barn.

Many missionaries went out to Handcart Parking to put away the tables under the cover of the pavilion there.

Others concentrated on draining and blowing out all the water lines, both at Ranch 66 and at the Homestead.

The Laytons posed in front of just a few of the projects they created this summer.

It was a week of many gifts:
Sister Smith and Sister Butler created two beautiful quilts for us to give away at our Christmas Party this December, 
and another one was made by the sisters at Sixth Crossing.

Elder and Sister Williams made us a beautiful sign that came from the tree we cut down a year ago in front of the Visitors' Center.

Sister Stimpson painted a pioneer scene
with a clock as the handcart wheel!

We have received countless beautiful gifts all summer long from our sweet missionaries:  books, keychains, pioneer dolls, neckerchief slides, plaques. signs, leatherwork, crocheted and knitted items, stained glass, "sheepy" items of all kinds, plus lots and lots of delicious food and many other loved and treasured gifts.  Thank you for all of them!

Finally the time came to say goodbye.  

There were lots of hugs and tears and goodbye waves.

It was hard to see those RVs drive through the archway
for the last time.

There was one last, kind of small, but fun "get rid of everything in your refrigerator" meal together at Missionary Village.  
The evening was warm and lovely with NO wind!

And then EVERYONE was gone.
What was once a bustling, friendly, loving Missionary Village is now a virtual ghost town!

Just look at the "befores" and the "afters."

That was a lonely day, but we'll see you all next summer: 

July 11, 2015!

Happy Trails to You . . . Till We Meet Again!