Epilogue 3: Finale

We left Wyoming on Monday and headed for Utah. It was a 7-8 hour drive. We had to stop because we had a little car trouble, but we got to Provo at a decent hour. I forgot how much I love the mountains. Every place we visited had its own beauty... like the trees and the beaches in North Carolina, the rolling hills in Ohio, and the prairie in Nebraska, but when I saw the Wasatch mountains, my breath was taken away.

Welcome to Utah

Provo

Even more wonderful than seeing the mountains, was seeing all these people for the next few days.

Most of our children and grandchildren. Alyssa
& Elayna couldn't come, and they were so missed.

Several of my siblings and their kids were there, too.

I loved seeing my little brother, Paul.
He is one of my favorite people. He
had a stroke while we were gone, and
just seeing him made my heart sing. I
tried really hard not to cry...
unsuccessfully.

We went to a park with the best climbing trees.
Every direction I looked, our grandkids were
having a great time in those trees.

Caroline and our oldest granddaughter, Lily.
Lily grew up so much while we were gone.

These cuties have already or are turning 11 
this summer. It's fun seeing them have so
much fun together.

All the grandchildren except for Elayna.. we
missed you sweet girl. Our oldest grandson Mikah,
the tallest in the picture, recently turned 16. He
has literally grown UP. He was very sweet to all
his siblings and cousins.

I feel blessed to see how much these kids love
each other. They played and visited non-stop.

Susan, Caroline, Dwight, and little brother, Paul

Caroline, Susan, and Dwight

Having an in-depth conversation with our
3.5-year-old grandson, Forrest

Dwight and Susan taking our two youngest
to dinner--Us with Caroline and Joseph.

I couldn't decide which picture to use, 
so you get both.

On Thursday we made it "home" to Hurricane, Utah. We've never lived here, so it really doesn't feel like home yet. Caroline came with us. Our daughter, Anna and her family came the next day to swim, celebrate Independence Day, and help us move in. That made it feel a little more like home.

Home in Hurricane

View from the back of our house... so beautiful.
We were home long enough to get a few things in
the house. Then we turned around and headed to
Cedar City to be released. I didn't prepare myself
for how lost I would feel taking off my missionary
name badge. When can we go on another mission?

On the 4th, we saw lots of flashing lights outside.
 When we went to investigate, we saw this.
Some kids had shot off rockets and
started a fire. Thankfully there wasn't as much
wind as usual, and the firefighters got it put
out quickly. I'm very thankful for our 
first responders.

Today at church, it was hard not to think about all of our friends in North Carolina. I had no idea that my love could be so deep for people outside of our family. We have been forever changed by our experiences as senior missionaries. Sometimes I feel like I'm going to burst with love.

It helped me to feel love in return when we walked into Fiddlers Canyon Ward and my wonderful friends squealed when they saw me. I love them so much and can't wait to make new memories.

This week has been mostly about family, and that's what the Gospel of Jesus Christ is all about... striving to be eternal families. I hope our children and grandchildren know how much we love them and want them to be happy... to have true joy. Our joy is found in a loving Heavenly Father, and in the Savior Jesus Christ and His Restored Gospel, and in our precious family.

Our love for all of you has grown over the past two years. Thank you for all of your support!

Love, Sister and Brother Potter, Susan and Dwight, Mom and Dad, Nana and Pop Pop 💖