Called to the Work

We have returned home, but we thought it would be nice to share some photos with you of the final week of our mission.

Final Temple Night

Last Wednesday was our last night to serve in the temple. Our shift supervisor informed us ahead of time that both of us will be assigned to officiate in the endowment session for that night.

“Tell your YSA kids that you’ll be conducting the session,” he said. “And ask them to come so you can all be together in the temple before you go home.”

So that’s what we did. We asked everyone to come join us.

Over 30 YSA members were able to come. What a thrill. Some did baptisms, while others were in the endowment session. Elder and Sister Low scrambled through the building, up and down the stairs, doing their best to greet everyone as they arrived.

Of course, it was an absolute joy to be together with so many we love in the House of the Lord. It was a glimpse into eternity. Emotions overwhelmed us as we sat in the endowment room and looked out at the people we’ve had the honor of serving and teaching during this mission, while they smiled back at us. It was Heaven.

After the session was over the two of us rushed over to the Celestial Room and took some time to hug and greet each member who was there. Tears overflowed as we reminded each one how much we love them.

After that, we spent a few minutes saying goodbye to our fellow temple ordinance workers. We have grown to love these people so much as we served with them every Wednesday night. It was always the bright spot of the week. It was very difficult to say goodbye to our dear friends.

Then we went next door to the annex building to say goodbye to our YSA kids one last time. We all gathered in the Visitor Center to take some pictures, hug, reassure, laugh, and cry again.

Goodbyes

Most of our last week was a frantic mess. We had to pack up our life and clean out our apartment while doing final handoffs and training, with a lot of goodbyes mixed in between.

At the airport

A few of our close loved ones were able to break away from the middle of their busy day to see us off at the airport.

And, then…

The Arrival

Some Final Thoughts

This was a grand adventure. We loved every minute of our mission. Well . . . most of the minutes. It was a joy. And so fun.

Looking back we are overwhelmed with gratitude that we were allowed to participate in this work the way we did, represent our Savior, and serve and teach. We are forever changed.

We are incredibly blessed. Our family is incredibly blessed. We think our children, daughters in law, and grandchildren were blessed immensely as we served. And we know that the bond between us all grew stronger in our absence – more than it would have been if we stayed home.

We dearly love the people we served with. Our circle of loved ones grew exponentially on this mission. Our ability to love others and express that love grew in a way that surprised us. We weren’t prepared for the deep, powerful bonds we created as we met, taught, fed, and served those around us.

This is the kind of life to live. It’s not about achieving independence. And it’s certainly not about obtaining a comfortable lifestyle. It’s not even about being successful. The right kind of life is a life spent serving the Lord and His children.

We know this to be true: A marvelous work has come forth among the children of men.

Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day.

Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God ye are called to the work;

For behold the field is white already to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul.

– Doctrine & Covenants 4:2-4

We love you all.