President Sujud Ariano and Family – Sister Ariano was the one who wrote the beautiful poem for us. Elder Herman and his friends. They loved him because he let them take pictures with his camera. Proud father Agus Sadiyono and his daughter Dinda

Jemmy Mongan relaxing while his wife teaches the youth a traditional dance. Mary and Elder Prause as he is interpreting for us. The Manurung family one of our Home Teaching families who we will miss.

26 May 2008 – Monday

A very nice and busy day. We spent a regular morning including reading from the A&P in section 76. Sam and Anny came at about 10:00 and we spent a couple of hours packing up some things. I packed suitcases with all kind of things and it appears that we are going to be underweight for the trip home. We just have to be careful and not buy too many souvenirs in Hong Kong.

We met the Kanes for lunch but instead of going to Chili’s as we had planned, we ended up at a very noisy BurgerKing instead. For some reason Chili’s was closed until 5 today. But as Elder Kane said, it was not the food but the company that counted. We talked about a number of things including our plans – we should get to see them sometime late in July or early August in Utah.

While the ladies were powdering their noses, Elder Kane and I talked about how we did not find our mission experience as any kind of sacrifice. The Kanes feel they could not have had a better mission if they would have been allowed to pick any in the world. We have had a wonderful experience and it has made us eager to go on more missions as long as we can.

It was strange saying goodbye to those two wonderful people who we have shared so much with over the last 18 months. We have made friends for life and we will keep in touch. I think sister Kane had a few tears in her eyes as we said our last goodbye.

We then went to the mission office to drop off some things including some of the boxes that will be stored for the Rebers and music of sister Penni. I reminded the translation department that they needed to turn in their home work. The President was up in Bogor showing sister Hinckley the Gong Factory. Elder A. Smith is the new Assistant to the President – replacing Elder Bastian.

We got a wonderful surprise letter from Elder Roper that said a lot of nice things about his experience with us. It is nice to know that we touched the lives of some of the missionaries who served with us. We should get to see him in September in Provo as he is going to the Y.

We then made what will probably be our last trip to Sogo and BreadTalk. I tried to buy enough orange juice to last me until we leave. It is strange closing doors for the last time and knowing that you probably will never open them again.

Back at the apartment I took a short nap while waiting for it to be time to head to Tangerang 2’s Family Home Evening. The traffic was not bad and we made it there early. We got to watch the youth practice a traditional dance that they will perform for Youth Conference next month. People came in groups and it got started about 45 minutes late. President Sujud got stuck in traffic and it could not start until he got there. So it life in Jakarta.

Sister Tandiman had two of her sons from the US here for a visit. They had not been here for at least 8 years. One of sister Mary’s daughters and her family is also here visiting for the first time in many years. Their two children speak English but do not seem to know any Indonesian.

They showed slides from their recent picnic – everyone claps when some pictures come up. I am never quite understood why some did got laughs and applause and others did not. Then all those who were visiting gave short talks. We were given a turn but all we said was good bye and thanks for all the wonderful memories. Then sister Ariono – President Sujud’s wife read us a touching poem that we did not understand until it was translated. It did not matter what it said, just the effort and thought was enough reward.

They served dinner and I had rice, dog and dessert. The dog was a little too spicy for me but if I did not know it was dog, I would not have been able to tell it from beef. If it has a distinct flavor it was lost in the spicy sauce.

We took some pictures and said goodbye to a lot of people. As I said goodbye to brother Looky asked me if I was going to keep up our blog and I said I was. It turns out he has been reading it for a long time and thanked me for writing about his son’s sickness, death and funeral.

The trip home was a breeze and even with a short stop to drop off a camera at the mission office for the Walkers, we were home in under an hour. I count that as another of the Lord’s tender mercies. Another one today was just missing a demonstration that tied up part of a main street that we use. Our exit was just where the demonstration ended.

Back at our apartment, I worked on pictures so we can get copies made tomorrow or Wednesday. Then we can get them distributed before we leave or at least leave them so others can distribute them for us.

It has been a remarkable day and one we will remember for a long time. Below is the translation of the poem that Sister Ariono read to us. We are going to have the original in Indonesian framed so we can always be reminded of the people of Indonesia.

Poetry of Love

For Beloved

Sister and Elder Pier

Language .

has hindered me

to become close to you

Language .

has stopped me

to talk to you

Language .

has restricted me

in expressing my love to you

But . no!

I can still see the expression of love

through the gentle gaze of your eyes

I can feel the warmth of your love

through your hand shake

I can feel the spirit of the gospel

through your footsteps

And . your testimony in the gospel

has stuck

in the deepest soul

strengthen me to move forward for the future

Farewell .

We love you and will always miss you

Tangerang, May 26, 2008

Signature

Nani Ariono