Growth

growth/grōTH/

Noun:	The process of increasing in physical size. The process of developing or maturing physically, mentally, or spiritually.
Synonyms:	development - increase - increment - accretion - rise

Growth is a good thing, but growth brings change, which is always hard for human beings.  We are creatures of habit.  We find our comfort zone, and we like to stay there.  When forced out of our box, however, we discover that change brings growth, and things we didn't know we could do suddenly become commonplace.  We try new roads, we set new goals, we reach new heights.  The Utah Salt Lake City Mission has been growing and improving over the past two years that we have served here. We have watched our missionaries work hard and rely on Heavenly Father, and we have seen miracles happen.  With out little band of about 200 Stripling Warriors, we have seen about 5,000 men and women come unto Christ, enter the waters of baptism and change their lives.  We see the joy on their faces, as they begin to have the image of Christ in their countenances.  We see miracles every day among our missionaries too, as they become men and women of virtue and integrity. 

So now, it was time for a change.  A new mission was to be born.  From within the Utah Salt Lake City Mission an entirely new mission was to be created.  On July 1, 2012, the Utah Salt Lake City West Mission would come into existance.  We would have to give up sixteen stakes in the Granger, Hunter and Magna areas.  We would have to give up 76 of our "kids" - the missionaries we had grown to love.  But we knew that from this change would come new growth, that those 76 missionaries were ready and prepared for this challenge.  On June 25th, we spent one last day with them.  We went on a hike up Ensign Peak.  It was a wonderful day! 

Gathering in the parking lot for lunch. First things first!

Then the hike begins

Ensign Peak Monument

The Salt Lake Valley

We made it to the top!

West Mission Assistants to the President.

Elder McNees and Elder Tui

I know, it's a little scary, but it's the best we could come up with!

The Original West Mission

President Winn shares his testimony one last time

Even Taya listens to grandpa

Departing Testimonies for those going home soon

Elder Vogt

Sister Reyes

Elder Grau

Sister Magdaleno

Elder Mendenhall

Elder McNees

Elder Morales

Captain Moroni, holding aloft Laban's sword

Elder Tui

Elder Bragg, helping out with President and Sister Winn's grandson, Carson

Elder Solie, helping out with President and Sister Winn's granddaughter, Taya

A sad good bye

For more pictures of Ensign Peak on June 25, 2012, click here:

2012.06.25: West Mission hike up Ensign Peak