DEPARTING JULY 2013

PLEASE CLICK ON THIS LINE FOR ALL PHOTOS OF THIS EVENT 

We experienced the strangest feelings we have ever had in a departing group.  As they arrived at the Mission home to gather, we were so emotional.  For this group was the first entire group of missionaries who had come into the mission after our arrival here two years ago.
It seemed like they had just arrived, yet we had experienced witnessing the change as each one of them BECAME who they were supposed to be while on their mission...it was a tender moment!  We have felt much of that emotion even from our first transfer, but there is something about seeing from day one that was just INCREDIBLE!

We took them to see the progress of our Phoenix Temple and it was great.  Then back to the house for photos as a group.

 Left to Right: Elders Barber, Hamblin, Steinfeldt, Robinson, Whipple, Bolton, Wheelwright, Tucker, Weston, Brame, L. Johnson, Burden, Lemon, Shelton, Sisters Fluckiger and Chord.

We also had a few fun photo shots...

 ...and then reveled in the fact that it actually RAINED!
It smelled so good, and some had to just get out and run around in it.  Rain is so rare here that we just relish it!

 After our traditional Cafe Rio Knock-off salads, we had a wonderful testimony meeting and some time for questions and council from the Mission Presidency.  This was an especially tender time for us because we not only lost 35 missionaries to the Tempe Mission this week, we also lose President and Sister Zayas from our Presidency who live in that stake.

 We are also losing one of our most talented piano players of the mission in Elder Wheelwright.
Seriously, it seems like yesterday that we discovered he could play the piano when he arrived in our home!

 This group all have great singing voices and it was a blend of Spanish and English each time we sang a hymn.

 We love Presidente and Hermana Zayas so much!  They are role models we have just loved for our missionaries.  They are generous to a fault, humble servants for the Lord and very dear friends.  We are better for knowing them and they inspire greatness in all who meet them.

 We finished the evening with a short Family Home Evening lesson complete with traditional game of "Don't Eat Pete."

The next morning we ran/walked and then got ready for an exciting day.  Elder Robinson shows us how he truly wore out his clothes in service of his God.
They may go home in tatters, but their souls and hearts are strong and whole!  They have build a solid foundation upon which they can build their eternal lives.
WE LOVE YOU AND WILL LOOK FORWARD TO GREAT THINGS!
Long Live APM Family!!!