After eighteen months, it was time to go home. We left with mixed feelings because we didn't want to leave our friends in Mescalero, but we did want to see our family again. We told the Branch that our last Sunday would be in February. They didn't want us to leave, but knew it would happen anyway. President Fossum said to Elder Lee at their last Presidency meeting "Don't go, ok?" He said if he knew it was possible to request an extension, he would have asked for us to stay six months longer. But they held a farewell party for us and two of the members got up and talked to us about our service as they told us about the apache's. The Fossum kids did a native american sign language dance for us. Sister Ahidley said, she was grateful for our love of the Apache people and how well we blended into the community. One time at a school function, someone looked into the crowd and said "Who are those two people?" (pointing to the two white faces in the crowd). She said, she proudly said, "They are missionaries from our church, the Mormon Church). People got used to us on the reservation as we were there all the time. We went to the funerals, Birthday parties, community activities, feasts, and school activities. The best compliment I ever had was when I was at Wallmart, and a native american woman came in back on me in the checking out lane. I smiled at her and asked her how she was. She smiled back and said, "I know you, you are from Mescalero aren't you? You see they knew who we were and accepted us.
Sister Ahidley, jokinging with us said, "Sister Lee, I understand you were a little scared to come to Mescalero because you heard the Apache's were ferocious! That is true, and we want you to know that we love you because we are letting you go home with all your white hair!!! Everyone laughed. It was a great party and we had a wonderful time with our friends.
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