Edvalsons in England: 24 May 2019: We're Comin' Home

I had a difficult time remembering what year it was as I began this blog - writing in the skies presently flying over British Columbia on our way home to Oregon. How many times have we mentioned the wonderfulness of Oregon and how many times have we invited people to come, visit us. Of course, most of the people we know in England, when they come to the USA, visit New York or Utah - but some will come to Oregon. Last night as we said goodbye for the last time, myriads of eager YSA - our brilliant and clever children - ran up to take pictures and get hugs and tell us that they are really, truly coming to see Oregon and our “famous” beach house. Only famous to them because we invite them so frequently and although no one has ever seen it - and only a few have any connection to the state at all - they are intrigued and excited to visit. We will be thrilled to see them. We are excited to be going to Oregon because some of our dear family is there waiting for us and the rest are coming to the Family Reunion in July. Plus we do have a couple of dishwashers and garbage disposals there and we have really missed them.

I cannot begin to describe how magical and life changing this mission has been for both of us, how much we have grown to love the YSA, the missionaries and all our various friends and connections, both in the Mission and Leeds Stake as well. We believe in eternal families and that means eternal friends. One of our American friends who is living in Leeds with her husband temporarily as he teaches at Leeds University, shared with me a phrase from a friend of hers back in Nebraska where they live.

This phrase will only make sense if you do this: Get yourself a Book of Mormon and read this wonderful allegory. It’s not long, but quite powerful. Like the Bible, The Book of Mormon is divided into smaller “books”. Go to the first one which is called First Nephi named after the Prophet Nephi and go to Chapter 8. When Nephi was a young man living in Jerusalem about 600 BC, his father, Lehi had a vision of a beautiful tree which we call “The Tree of Life” This vision is speaking about our life on this earth and searching for the love of God. In the vision, Lehi sees a path leading to a beautiful tree covered in white fruit, symbolic of the Love of God. He has made it to the tree and tasted the fruit, but he sees his family at the beginning of the path surrounded by concourses of other people and many impediments to keep them from coming to him. As they press forward, they must make decisions so as not to be distracted or lead away from the path, but continue to press forward. Our friend, Rachel shared with me the following thought which I related to many of our new friends in England:

“If I don’t see you on the path - I’ll meet you at the tree”.

Now as our missionary colleague , Sister Lyle would say after making a joke, “Do you get it?” But it’s not a joke. It’s simply an inspired direction to help us make the most of our life here on earth and return from whence we came - our home in Heaven with God and Jesus Christ and all our dear family and friends.

Fast forward to the end of the flight and our meeting with our Stake President Lake to be officially released. This occurred just a few hours after we disembarked from the plane to be met by our strongest support group Jon and Ellen who have looked after our various belongings while we were gone. President Lake kept smiling at me and remarked that he remembered how I was a bit reticent when we met 18 months ago as we prepared to leave. It’s true that in the beginning of this decision process, I only moved towards the mission because I knew Tim (we’re no longer missionaries so back to first name references) had long wanted to go on a mission so the first thing I did was CONSIDER praying about it. Eventually I got to ACTUALLY praying about it and at that point I began to feel positive energy and encouragement that enabled me to be excited and more than simply supportive of his feelings, but actually “all in”. I think that’s an important distinction because once I determined it was what the Lord wanted me to do, I was able to see the blessings, the tender mercies and even the miracles in my life leading me in that direction. Not that it was physically easy since for months before we left, I had not felt well until finally I was diagnosed with pneumonia. However, we proceeded ahead and eventually, everything was “sorted out” as our good friends in England would say.

We express thanks to many there and here who have been so kind to us. There in England for enthusiastically welcoming us into their lives and sharing with us their knowledge, thoughts, opinions, brilliant culture and love. Here in the USA for house sitting (thanks Ron & Cat) and for supporting us through prayer and word. Particular hugs to our most diligent blog readers and card senders: Miriam, Jurek and Cal. (and their supportive spouses) and our artists/authors/skypers daughters and grandkids. And we must mention those who actually came to visit: Mindy, Shona, Pam and Danielle, Jackie, Mike and Brittany. Also cousins, Tami, Mark and Katie; and those crazy kids, Marel, Tom, Allyson and Billy. And most of all the famous, “WE GO HEROES” themselves: Cristian, Celia, Clara, Sabrina, Elena & Caleb. We are most grateful to everyone involved in this glorious adventure. What have we taken away from this? A strengthened knowledge and belief of the Great Plan of Happiness given to us by our Heavenly Father and overseen by our brother and Saviour (English spelling) Jesus Christ. Also, in amazement, the pleasure of serving with those who do so with humor, diligence and faith - even the full time missionaries in the “Greatest Mission in the Universe” and teaching the beautiful, intelligent, hard working and ever humorous Young Single Adults of the Leeds Stake and serving with them and all of their leaders who we count as eternal friends. Hope to see you on the path. Open invitation to Oregon. It’s not Heaven, but it is very nice.

Love you all,

Dana & Tim