We will Miss you Spanish Branch!

We were officially released from our callings in the Spanish branch today. We were called to the Branch 5 years ago. At that time they told us we would be there for 1 1/2 maybe 2 years. Then John was in the Scouts and I was a primary teacher. But not for long. John was called to the Branch Pres. and we were told we would probably be in the Branch for longer. Since we have been in the branch John has held many positions including Elders Quorm Pres. and more recently Young men's Presidency. When we first entered the Branch we were part of a big group of Gringos called to help the Spanish Branch to function by itself, that lasted for about a year and a half or so and then the Gringo's were called back to there own wards. Then we combined the youth and primary with the 4th ward. Which was a huge help. While we were with their ward we grew so much. There were several weeks we had multiple baptisms and One week that 7 people were baptised most of which were PRIESTHOOD! A year later 8 of those people went through the temple!! IT has been so awesome to see them grow. Most of them now how major jobs in the branch including Branch President who has only been a member for a couple of years now!!
We have grown to love the people of the branch so much and are truly going to miss them!!! They have taught me so much about love they have always been so welcoming and loving to me and my family. We have added 3 kids to our family in the 5 years we have been in the branch and everyone has been so loving and supportive! I know we can be quite disruptive in sacrament meeting and instead of judging me they would come over and help especially when John had to set on the stand and I was by myself. One of the other things I am really going to miss is all the new converts. They bring such a new perspective on things and remind me what I have and not to take it for granted.
I won't lie the Branch has not been all easy!!! It has brought many challenges to our family. John has had many callings that have really pushed him to grown and learn. And I will have to say even with every one's help it was not easy always getting all of us ready for church by myself and John being gone so much. I think the hardest thing for me was not being able to socialize with the sisters because of the language barrier. I had a wonderful relationship with these wonderful sisters and I always felt their love for me and my family but it was so difficult to not be able to communicate!! OH How I wish I could speak Spanish!!! It was also hard to not be able to understand sacrament meeting. I hope I will never take advantage of being able to hear the messages each week. I know that with my little family I don't get to actually hear much but at least I will have the chance. That is not to say that I couldn't feel the spirit in the branch. quite the Contrary, I have often felt the spirit and anytime that I would pray specifically for a chance to feel the spirit I would and not only feel the spirit but something would touch my heart and I would know what Heavenly Father needed me to do.
Well I guess Heavenly Father has new challenges for us and knew things for us to learn. I will really miss the Branch and it's Members.