Last Looks From Our Apartment

Thursday and Friday were dedicated to the packing of the car and the cleaning of the apartment, although those tasks had begun in the weeks prior as we tried to prepare the best we could for this task.  It is hard, physical work and also emotional.  This was a place we lived and served for 18 months.  We were so blessed to have been here.

There were little mementos like this old phone case that I loved but didn't fit my new phone.

My white board with some of my notes about the Desires of our hearts--a current topic of pondering for me.

Grateful once again for the white table which helped us organize the stuff for packing.  That table was so useful during our stay in this apartment.

Jena helping with the sweeping outside as well as inside as we try to get things ready for the Summers.

In the master bedroom, there was a narrow mirror.  It became the collecting spot for the different things we acquired over the 18 months...little mementos of our time with the young adults or from our family as well.  Jessica's kids sent the t-shirt with notes to us and Liam made the tie for Gary for Father's day. 

Things like flowers for a lula, programs from baptisms, cards from Jena, and other things that represented activities and sweet experiences while we served.  Thank heavens for photos to keep these things without having to pack them to bring them home with us.  (Literally, no room for them!) Well, except the t-shirt...and a few other things. Sh...don't tell Gary!

I loved this apartment but the small kitchen was not my favorite, especially considering how much cooking I did during the 18 months.  It was always an adventure finding space for things.

Living room/dining rooms done--checked.

We updated the calendar for October so that Summers would know a bit about what was coming up.

The clean kitchen...

Jena's closet really became the kitchen pantry after she moved her stuff out.

And Gary did a great job packing the car.  We only shipped three boxes home--two boxes of books and one box of games.

We only had one small problem--if we turned too sharp, a box would slide onto Jena, so we had to warn her each time to hold the box in place during turns.  It kept us paying attention throughout our drive. Fortunately, in freeway travel there aren't as many turns as the country roads of Arkansas.

Finally remember to take a photo of the packed car in our garage in Syracuse, before we unloaded.

And that is what cleaning and packing and remembering looks like when you leave a mission after 18 months.  Heartbreaking, but also so sweet!  How blessed we have been to have been here!