We were finally approved to get travel trailers for the mission. I had been working on this idea for at least a year. It will add flexibility in locating our missionaries about the mission. We made a quick trip to Phoenix and brought one back to Chine. It is planned to be used by Sister Balling when a new senior couple come in August.
We went to work as normal Monday Morning June 19 through Friday June 23rd.
On Saturday the 24th we had a going away party for President Jones who leaves only three days after us. This was one party I didn't want to attend. We had a good time seeing some that came in from the reservation areas. Wendell Jones and Carolyn came and brought President Jone's brother Lorden. Wendell spoke as part of the program and mentioned our experience as BYU roommates, bookselling together, etc.
Saturday evening, actually at 3am Sunday morning Joey, Jacobs friend drove in from Mesa to get our fifty wheel trailer. Sunday morning Sister Langkilde and I got up and left for Dulce. Joey and his wife left for Mesa with the trailer about noon.
We had a great outdoor meal. Elder and Sister James gave us a hand knit dolly with the words
Langkilde New Mexico Farmington Mission on it.
Sunday after church the branch had a going away dinner for us. We had about 35 in attendance. It was sad but fulfilling knowing we had served the area and had made an impact for good. Again presents were given of which we were the recipients of some memorable items. After taking a quick nap we went out and visited some members who had not come to church and said our goodbyes, with some picture taking.
On Monday June 25th we went over more details with everyone at the office. Everyone said their goodbyes with hugs, kisses and tears. Gifts were also exchanged in many cases. The reality of going home is settling in, there is not much we can do about it now. Its like the day of the dental appointment you have been dreading, but once here you just have to face it and go on. We stayed late at the office as usual and left about 8pm. We drove the gauntlet at night one more time (the road between Bloomfield and Dulce). We call it the gauntlet because of all the deer and elk that are along the highway. We saw several bunches including several bull elk. It was like they were saying goodbye too.
Tuesday morning we got up and filled the car with gas (only $3.11/gal). We went to the Jicarilla Tribal building to purchase some going away items and see Darrell Piaz, a previous Branch President and an accountant for the tribe. One of the items I have had my eye on was a hunting knife with a Jicarilla Tribe name and logo on it. We bought it and a few other items to remember Dulce and our experiences on the Jicarilla Apache Reservation.
We then drove to Farmington to finish some loose ends, then on to Chinle, AZ to drop off a hitch security device which was the wrong size. We then stopped in Ganado and said goodby to Elder McNeill and his wife. Then it was on to Mesa, AZ arriving at 10pm at President Bowden's home for our official release.
After our release we went over to Jared's home and with mixed emotions retired for the day. Mission accomplished except for our welcome stake high council report and homecoming talk on July 15, 2012.
For the next few days after being released we acted like fish out of water not knowing what to do or how to act. We felt uncomfortable without our missionary badges. As we walked through stores it felt strange not having someone stop us and acknowledge us as missionaries.
Christopher and I drove to Long Beach California to check out Los Alamitos Race Track, home of one of the best quarter horse tracks in the country. Christopher has three acres and some horses in Mesa. I have told myself that If I bought another horse it would be a claiming quarter horse. This is the least expensive way to get a really good horse with a good blood line and running history. One can get a stud, filly or gelding depending on what the objective is, breed or race for the purse money and maybe even both.
I then went to Phoenix to observe the auction of foreclosed homes. The other option I have considered is to get my real estate license again and purchase, fix and flip homes. It was interesting. I may go ahead and get my license on our return to Mesa mid October.
Christopher and I got the dozer started at his place and worked with it for awhile. I may sell it or keep for potential use on the 20 acres in Show Low, AZ. I bought a 300 Weatherby rifle to take up to Alaska for the hunt that is anticipated and or to sell up there and make a few bucks. I had a 7mm magnum that I gave Christopher and was going to take it, but I used to have a real nice 300 Weatherby and sold it so am particle to it. Besides I got a great buy (that what Janelle says we she gets something I don't necessarily approve of).
Well its over. We gave our stake high council report and homecoming talk today, July 15, 2012. Afterwords we met at Jared and Loralee's house for a luncheon. What a day what a great time!
What to do with our lives now is a challenge. Its like getting out of High School wandering what to do next.
Our immediate plans after our home coming talks are to leave Mesa, AZ and stay with Joseph and family for a week. Then on to West Richland to visit with Andrea and family passing through Salt Lake City seeing Irene and family. We are planning on going on a camp out and trail ride in a wilderness area in the Oregon mountains where I was raised near Ukiah, Oregon. We then will go on to Seattle Washington to visit with Lana and family prior to leaving for Juneau Alaska on August 10, 2012. President Jones, his brother Lorden, Wendell Jones and another BYU roommate will meet us there for a week long fishing trip at Doc Warner's. Kristina and her husband are now managing the fish camp so we anticipate a great time. After that Kristina has arranged a Caribu and perhaps a moose hunt for two weeks.
We will fly back to Seattle and spend a few more days with Lana then spend a week at the Windjammer resort on the Washington coast, not to far from Astoria, Oregon. We want to spend time there exploring due to my father and grandfather being Columbia River Bar Pilots just down the coast line on the Columbia River. After that we will probably spend the week end with Andrea watching General Conference then spend a week with Irene and family in Salt Lake City before going on to Long Beach, California for a week at a timeshare resort there then on back to Mesa to wait for an anticipated Langkilde World Reunion in New Zealand from January 17- 24, 2013. From here we have no idea what is ahead for us, work or maybe another mission, who knows?
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