Thursday, January 30

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 Thursday, January 30, Morne had me work from home. He didn't want us leaving the compound. I spent the morning doing my normal work and then at 2:45 in the afternoon, Sisca came knocking on my door telling me there was an emergency meeting called at 3:00 and Morne wanted all of us on the phone for it.  We met in Leonie's house and called in.  Morne started out by telling us that the M23 Rwandan rebels, who had already taken over Goma in the North, had started moving south and were planning on taking over Bukavu.  They announced their intentions to continue moving south taking over Mbuji-Mayi, Kananga, Lubumbashi, and then make their was to Kinshasa. The US Embassy had already been attacked and set fire to.  There was discussion about what we should do and the home office was involved too.  It was decided that all the women and children should leave. We didn't know for how long, but because the airport is also the military base, they wanted us to leave while it was still "easy".

Because of the US Embassy, they want all American's to leave so Cory was coming with. They decided to have us fly to South Africa and to the inspection at Marble Classic on the stone for the temple.  Then Morne told us he wanted us to do a "proper holiday" as it had been almost 2 years since we had one. (More on this later)

That night, Cory and I spent the night packing our six suit cases with everything that had sentimental value, couldn't be replaced or was expensive to replace. Then we packed what ever else would fit.  We walked through out house thinking, if I never see any of this stuff again, am I OK with that? We felt good about what we were able to pack.

We went to everyone and hugged, cried and said good bye.  We weren't sure what our future would hold, but deep down, I think we all knew we wouldn't be coming back.  

I went through the house, taking pictures of it, wondering if I would ever see it again. I had such mixed emotions.



One thing I forgot to pack and I am sad I didn't is my painting I did of the Salt Lake Temple. Maybe I will get it back eventually!





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