On November 15th, a crisp fall day dawned in Salt Lake City with a clear blue sky. A dozen young missionaries entered the temple for their last visit together. It's incredible to see the young men that they have become, representatives of Jesus Christ, having given two years of their lives in serving their Savior. They arrived in the mission a little hesitantly, unsure of themselves, of their testimonies, of their purpose. They leave us as confident leaders, devoted to God, sure in their purpose. How blessed we are to have had the chance to get to know them, to learn from their examples, and to serve by their sides. This was a combined group of the missionaries who would be going home in November and December.
Elder Hoffmann with his grandparents.
Elder Ross with his cousin.
Elder Casperson, who we stole from the Family History Mission and adopted as our own.
Elder Judd, my ever patient giver of directions. I'm not sure just how I am going to get around the valley now that he is going to be leaving! Besides, who else loves me "just the way I am"?
Elder Ross, who isn't really leaving at all. He's not even going to go home to Texas before he moves into an apartment in Salt Lake City and starts school here. Fabulous! He can still stop by for dinner at the mission home!
Elder Hoffmann is the envy of all the missionaries, because after a ski week here, he's going home to Florida and trips to the Bahamas. We should all be so lucky.
Elder Santos is going home with more USLCM sweatshirts than anyone else. I guess he's the favorite.
Elder Gutierrez is going to go home and then mail himself in a box to a girl and see if she'll keep him.
Elder Link is going home it's true, but he still has a whole lot of baptizing to do. He'll be great at it!
Elder Rosarion has promised me white sand beaches with crystal clear blue water if I come visit him in Puerto Rico. I think I will take him up on that! He spent the last night in the mission home visiting with the former missionary who taught his parents the gospel. And life comes full circle....
Life in the mission without Elder Tupou?!?! How can it be? His ear to ear grin will be missed every day!
Elder Fifita is the largest most gentle giant ever, with a testimony and faith that match his size. Ofa atu.
With Elder Thibaudeau going home, President Winn has probably seen his last ever balloon Incredible Hulk President Winn look-alike. How can we go on?
Elder Tubio is heading home. I will miss him calling me to tell me of the miracles he saw every day.
These hopeful young men are anticipating the day when they will be standing on these very temple stairs with a particular young woman by their sides for a wedding. It probably won't be that far in the future!
The doormen welcome us for lunch in the Garden Room at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building.
Going home!
Forever friends.
Memories to last a lifetime.
If you want to see more pictures of Trunky Temple Tuesday, click here:
No comments:
Post a Comment