In This Family We Serve Missions: November 2012

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Departure Day & Arrival Home

There is excitement and a little anxiety when you arrive and when you depart the mission field. The memories of home and family permeate your heart upon arrival and the memories of your mission and the dear people you have come to know and love likewise fill your heart as you depart. We feel so blessed to have had such wonderful experiences in the Spirit of the Lord that we know our love and friendships will remain bright always.

President and Sister Monahan with us at the front of the Mission Office

President and Sister Monahan with Elder Tolman, departing this week also.

Us with Elders Mayes and Tolman. They served as assistants to the president together.

President and Sister Monahan with us

Us with Elder and Sister Engels, the office couple

The Monahans and us at the door of the Mission Home. We spent our final night with them.

We will always remember the loving smile and wave as we departed. What a special experience we have shared.

A quick look back as we leave the parking lot to see everyone is getting back to the work of the day. It's transfer week and there are a lot of things to do. Our hearts are with you.

We passed the familiar sights of the market - pilanque

The cane fields

Buko stands along the roadway.

Rice drying on the highway

More cane fields

Mountains in the distance... where the air is cool and comfortable, unlike the lowlands.

Then into the traffic of Manila

A view from our hotel room on the 27th floor

We got a short night's sleep... up at 4:00 AM on the plane at 8:00 AM and...

...home to the arms of family waiting for us at the Salt Lake Airport 23 hours later.

Grandma's already got Kaylee in her arms before she gets a hug from Steve or anyone else.

Our hearts are brim with the sweet joy of reunion with loved ones and the memories of our dear friends in the Philippines.

The bags are stowed in the car and we are on our way home... tired but very happy.

The Final Weeks

The final weeks have been especially sweet. The members have shared the true feelings of their hearts with us. They went out of their way to let us know they love us and will miss us. they shared many times that we helped them through difficult times and blessed their families in ways we never knew.

Manaoag priesthood brothers

Manaoag Relief Society Sisters

Sister Lady and her children. She was working on a special gift for Mom,

Mom receiving a few small gifts from the sisters that she taught how to play the keyboard.

Sister Lady and Sister Malou give Mom their gift, a purse made of straws.

The Manaoag Relief Society held a special farewell for Mom and each came up in front of everyone to stand by Mom and tell her how she had blessed their life.