NO GROWING IN A COMFORT ZONE...

PLEASE CLICK ON THIS LINE FOR ALL PHOTOS OF THIS EVENT
We love the saying that there is no growing in a comfort zone.
Perhaps that is what the Lord has in mind for the Phoenix and Phoenix South zones of the Arizona Phoenix Mission.
As of Monday July 1, these two zones will be transferred to the TEMPE MISSION.
 The 3 missions in the Phoenix Metro area will now be 5 missions.  We are actually the least impacted by these changes, but in another way, the MOST affected by these changes.
All of the other missions in the valley will be getting new mission presidents...that was happening for Tempe and Mesa even before they announced two brand new missions with new mission presidents.  In other words, those other mission presidents were already leaving all their missionaries and saying goodbye to all of them.
We however, get to stay and weather out the CHANGE. We had to say goodbye to 35 of our most dedicated and obedient missionaries today.
It was one of the hardest things we have had to do in the two years we have been serving!



But, it was with great (righteous) pride that we turned them over to the Tempe Assistants, who will introduce them to President and Sister Toone who come July 1.

 We had a wonderful departing luncheon with our missionaries, the Assistants from Tempe and President and Sister Porter of the Phoenix Stake, along with the Kings and Morris of our mission presidency.
We served what we serve all our departing missionaries...CAFE RIO knockoff salads!

They loved the food and the company.

 After lunch we took some zone photos for us to remember them by and to give to President and Sister Toone when they arrive.

It was tender to see them looking for their signatures on our mission flag and their desire to sing our fight song one last time.








PHOENIX SOUTH ZONE:
Front: Sisters Folsom, Mejia, Macy, Haar, Flint and Lathrop.
President and Sister Taylor.
Elders Aranibar, Absher, Gaspar, Miller.
Elders Anderson, Hernandez, Borrayo.
Back: Elders C. Johnson, Goff, Hyer and Bressler.

Phoenix Zone: Front: Sisters Taylor, Scott, Sister and President Taylor, Sisters Romano and Greenwood. Behind: Elders Jarvis, Mack and Cassity. Elders Keene, Maynes and King.
Elders H. Beck, Francis, Fenton and Nicholas. Back: Elders Forson, D. Gerber, Denny and Cassiano.

The "Blue Tie District"  Elders Fenton, Beck, Francis, Denny, Forson and Nicholas.

 We ended the day with testimonies of our love of the Savior and the WHY of what we are doing as missionaries for HIM.

We know that the Tempe Mission needs these missionaries right now.
There is something very special about them and how firm their commitment is to what they are doing.  It is a sacred feeling when we are with them.  They will BLESS whatever areas they end up in.

They have great confidence in and love already for their new Mission President.  This warms our hearts!  We know what it is like to come into a mission and be welcomed and loved!  It is THE BEST!

We heard from Sister and President Morris.

We heard from Sister and President King.



And President and I blubbered through our tender feelings for the Savior and how much it means to us to know these dear sons and daughters are serving Him.

The desire of our hearts is to always be worthy to be in a temple with each of our missionaries...for eternity this is our goal...ALWAYS BE WORTHY, ALWAYS BE PROGRESSING.

Oh how we love and admire everyone that we serve with.

We know that it is not WHERE we serve, but HOW we serve that matters.

But we will miss these beautiful souls UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN!
Now, GO LIFT WHERE YOU STAND!!