DEPARTING MISSIONARIES JUNE 2014

 PLEASE CLICK ON THIS LINE FOR ALL PHOTOS OF THIS EVENT!
Well, we survived this last transfer of our mission...not without tears, but it was a sweet experience!

We made our traditional visit over to the Phoenix Temple site, and took dinner to our friend John who works security at the site.  He is so kind and we have visited with him for over 2 years at the site.  We hope to keep in touch and take him through the open house.

Here are our fine departing missionaries:

Elder Janzen
Elder Hughes
Elder Buechter
Elder Clay
Elder Barlow
Elder Gerritsen
Elder E. Jones

 That morning, on my run to the temple, we had watched as a large truck was delivering huge rolls of carpeting, that they were trying to drag out of the truck...and apparently damaging several of them in the process.
Made for a nice bench for the Elders!

Inside, Elder Alexander shared his testimony about temples and the joy of being sealed in an eternal family.  He told them about the beautiful materials used to build this temple and gave each a sample from the dark sapele wood used throughout the temple.

Back home, we got a little "Abbey Road" feel for their departing silly photo.
We had our traditional Cafe Rio sweet pork salads with lime cilantro dressing...still not tired of it after three years!!!

We have the Mission Presidency join us for this dinner and it is really sweet!

It was Katie Morris Birthday!  Oh how we love this time together to listen to departing testimonies and to let the missionaries ask questions to get advice from this great group of wise and loving people!

 After they leave, it is Family Home Evening time for a Primary song to start (Jesus Wants Me For A Sunbeam) then a short lesson.

And we finish with the worlds easiest group game ever...
DON'T EAT PETE!

They always love it!

The next morning we were up by 6:00 to run, had to get an early start for some early flights!
They are super obedient and it was just the best start to this day!

And then it was time for the inevitable!  Time to say our goodbyes before loading up to head to the airport.  I thought this would be devastating...our last transfer going home, but actually, it was not so hard, because we know we will see some of these missionaries soon when they come to school in Utah or Idaho.
We know they have built a strong foundation that if cared for, will sustain them beautifully forever!
Oh how we love these dear mission sons!  RETURN WITH HONOR!!