Six missionaries left the mission at the end of October.
It doesn't matter if there are twenty-five or six leaving;
it's never easy to see them go.
Though we fit at one table (with a small table added
on the end) it took several pictures to get everyones' faces.
Elder Manson and Elder Biegel next to
Preisdent Crippen.
As the only sister returning home, Sister Fabian
brought color to the white-shirt-world of elders.
Elder Warren is on her left and Elder Knight on her right.
Elder Gibson visits with the Assistants to the President,
Elder Jones and Elder Young.
Left to right: President and Sister Grant
and Sister and President Crippen.
Pork tenderloin, potatoes and gravy, homemade hot rolls, dressing,
green beans with bacon and pecans, green salad with pumpkin vinaigrette...
and a surprise dessert:
homemade pumpkin pie by Elder Knight!
He brought two pies he had managed
to make himself in addition to packing up for home. Wow!
Ready for testimony meeting.
This was Elder Jones first testimony meeting for outgoing
missionaries since he was called as an assistant.
No one is ever very hungry for breakfast
on the morning of departure.
There was plenty of French toast left over.
Sharing stories.
The bags are loaded, last prayer together offered.
Time for one last photo in front of the mission home.
We seldom get to see the reunion of missionary and mom,
but Elder Manson's mom came to pick him up.
There was a whole red and black theme going on,
(Elder Manson's favorite colors)
including a red a black gift bag with a scrapbook of his mission.
Everyone was loaded in the cars. One last glimpse of
the assistants on their way to drive to the airport.
Inside the mission home, everything was silent.
Already the departing elders and sister seemed like a dream.
No evidence in this room; beds had been made
(even though they would be stripped for washing --
it's the thought that counts.)
A couple of slept in beds in another -- maybe they
really had been here.
A set of shoelaces left over when the other pair was
put into polished shoes so the wearer would look
his best on arrival.
Of course, what remains are the memories and the converts
forever changed by the message of those who were called to serve.
