Our mission is coming to a close. Our last zone conference with all the senior and junior missionaries was held in Flagstaff, Arizona, about 2 1/2 hours from Kaibeto. It was great to see our mission president and his wife and all the other missionaries. We enjoyed our last interview with President Jones. Another senior couple and us who were also going home were asked to speak to everyone. It seemed really final.
The week before we left for home, two of my Navajo sisters showed me how to make fry bread. It looked so easy for them since they had been doing it since they were 7 years old. But I didn't find it so easy. They just dump the flour and baking powder and water in a bowl and mix it around quickly with their hands. No measuring. Then they pat it back and forth in their hands and throw it in the pan. It tasted wonderful! Even though mine didn't turn out like it should, we laughed a lot and had so much fun. Now I am supposed to teach my family!
We left Kaibeto to go home on Sunday, January 8. After church our Navajo friends served us a wonderful dinner. There were many tears and hugs. They gave us beautiful jewelry and I even received a traditional white Navajo dress.
This has been such a great experience for us. We have made so many amazing friends that we will not forget. We love the Navajo people and are grateful we had this opportunity to live with them on the reservation. We have seen their lives change for the better as they have learned and progressed in the gospel.
Attached are some pictures of our Navajo brothers and sisters.
Signing off,
Elder & Sister Payne
