Saying Goodbye To Puerto Rico

March 6-7, 2015

It was hard to say good-bye a week earlier than we had planned.  But it was time to leave.  On Friday we said our farewells to the great couples we worked with in the Puerto Rico San Juan Mission.  Each have touched our lives for good.  We missed Sister Heidenreich who is the mission nurse.  But so appreciated her showing us around our first week in Puerto Rico.

Elder & Sister Jewkes with President and Sister Boucher

Elder & Sister Lee from Washington.  She is the mission secretary and he is in charge of finances.

Elder and Sister Porter from Orem Utah.  They work in Self Reliance

Elder & Sister Eckle from Parker Colorado.  She is over apartments and he is over the cars.

The Assistant to the President: Elder Medina from Dominican Republic, Elder Kendell from Utah and Elder Rognon from Utah

Map of Puerto Rico

President Boucher told Elder Jewkes to take me to the beach one last time . . .I really wasn't much in the mood to put a swimsuit on, but we decided to venture out and see a couple of places we hadn't been to before we left. 
We drove to the East side of the island to Luquillo and Fajardo.  The beaches were as beautiful as everyone had told us.  The wind was blowing and the waves were high, so not many people in the water.  Fajardo is a port city and also where you can catch the ferry to go to the islands Vieques and Culebra.  We didn't have enough time but would like to come back and visit these islands someday.  Culebra is supposed to have some of the nicest beaches in the world.

Beach at Fajardo

Looking the other direction down the beach.  See the red flag . . . stay out of the water!

Windy day!

Looking towards one of the  small islands

Looking across the bay at Fajardo

We decided to drive to Humacao where some of the  members of the Metro Ward (English speaking ward) live.  Many of the members of the ward work for the FBI and DEA.  Some of the members work for medical supply companies there. It was beautiful and green. And again we saw more windmills.  We also stopped to get a couple of spices at the store that I needed for recipes I have been given. Then it was back to the apartment to finish packing and cleaning before we leave on Saturday.

Windmills among the greenery

Elder and Sister Porter were kind enough to take us to the airport on Saturday.  President and Sister Boucher were in St. Thomas for the dedication of the new chapel there.  We so appreciated the Porters help.

I love the people of Puerto Rico!  We have made so many great friends and have been invited to stay with several when we make it back to this beautiful island!

I so grateful for the opportunity we were given to do this special assignment for the Church History Library.  The opportunity to meet, hear conversion stories and testimonies and also feel the Spirit as we did these Oral Histories.  We hope that we will be given an opportunity to serve in the capacity again.

I know that this work is important and all part of the plan of our Heavenly Father.  He lives.  He knows each one of us and has a plan for us.  We need to search and pray for the opportunities to be a servant in His hands.  He loves us! I love my Savior Jesus Christ.  I am grateful for the Atonement that Jesus Christ in  my behalf as well as yours.  I know Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God and restored the gospel of Jesus Christ to the earth in these latter days.  I know that Thomas S. Monson is a Prophet of God. May each of you feel of our Saviors love for you.  If you have doubts, get on your knees and ask Him . . . then listen for His answer to you.  So many times we heard of people who had a warm feeling come over them as they prayed about what they had read in the Book of Mormon and listened to the messages the missionaries had for them.  I know it is true! This is my testimony and I am so grateful for it!