Feb 2014 Transfer/Testimony Meeting

The line-up of departing missionaries waiting their turn to testify included (from far left on front row)
Elder Peterson, Sisters Bullock, Clement, Nakatsuka and Tuft,
Elders Schoemig, Lanham, Neibaur, Winkler and Centeno

 We said Good-bye to four fabulous "Seasoned Couples" as well as eleven youngsters.

Elder and Sister Jackson

Sister and Elder Porter

Elder and Sister Neibaur

               






                   The Siegs were the fourth couple,
                but were not able to attend this meeting.

Sisters Clement and Nakatsuka watch Sister Bullock

Sister Bullock

Sister Clement

Sisters Bullock, Clement and Tuft

Sister Nakatsuka

Sister Tuft

Sisters Bullock, Clement and Nakatsuka

Elder Peterson

Elder Vaterlaus

Elder Schoemig

Elder Lanham

Elder Winkler

Elder Centeno

Elders Winkler and Centeno

Elder Winkler next to the Neibaurs

The final singing of the Mission Song

February 2014 Arrivals

Sisters Turley, Hansen, Phillips, Black and Elders Simons, Tracy and Fisher
with the President and me at our beautiful temple

From Reagan National Airport,
we took the Metro to the Temple and Visitors' Center

Sisters Hansen and Black, Elders Simons and Fisher
President and me,
Elder Tracy and Sisters Phillips and Turley

Then on to the Mission Home for Dinner, Training & Testimonies

The new crew of seven, plus Elder and Sister Colson
just arrived the same day to serve in the Mission Office

Sister Training Leaders, Sister Leben and Smith on the left
Visitors Center Director, Elder and Sister Eyring
Elder Neibaur in the white shirt with Sister Neibaur in red
Elder and Sister Pearson with the Mission Office, standing
Sister Mercedes Lorenzana on the right

Sisters Phillips and Pearson

Breakfast the next morning in the Mission Home

Elder Fisher took care of the waffles

Elder Simons prepared fruit

Elder Tracy handled the bacon

Elder Fisher, SIsters Phillips, Turley and our daughter Elizabeth

Sisters Black and Hansen with Elders Simons and Tracy

On to the Visitors' Center to meet Trainers and receive iPads

Elder Wood, one of the trainers, and Elder Simons

Sisters Graff, Phillips, Johnson, Black

Elder Johnson will train Elder Simons

Elder Gold will train Elder Fisher

Elder Tracy will be trained by Elder Wood

Sister Johnson will train Sister Black

Sister Graff will train Sister Hansen

Sorry I didn't get a photo of Sisters Turley and Hansen who will be trained by Sister Bascom

February 2014 Departures Evening at the Mission Home

Valentines' Day Celebration of 

Eleven Missionaries Finishing Valiantly

While they rotate through their departing interviews with the President, each missionary creates a scrapbook page for our Book of Remembrance.

J.S. Armstrong (Pres' Exec. Sec'y) and Elder Schoemig

Elder Vaterlaus

Elder Peterson

Sisters Tuft, Bullock and Nakatsuka

 After dinner, we go around the room hearing everyone's favorite "mission war story"

Elder Centeno

Sister Nakatsuka

Sister Bullock

Elder Lanham

Sister Clement

Elder Peterson

Elder Lanham

Sister Bullock, Elders Peterson, Vaterlaus and Centeno

Sisters Tuft and Clement

Elder Moss

Elder Centeno

Elder Schoemig

Elder Vaterlaus

Elder Winkler

I congratulate them on nobly completing this "victory lap"
which will launch them on to their next adventures

The President explains the service coins
he is about to present

Elders Moss, Schoemig and Peterson

Each coin is delivered through a handshake

Our dear friends, Sister & Elder Neibaur, also get coined
as they complete their invaluable service in the mission office

 Singing the Mission Song:  "Testify of Me"

Elders Moss, Schoemig, Peterson, Centeno, Vaterlaus, Winkler and Lanham

Sisters Tuft, Clement and Bullock

Sisters Tuft, Clement and Nakatsuka

"We are family….. I got my four sistas and me!"
PLEASE go to the CookeCrew YouTube channel to watch these ladies' parting ballad,
"Don't Worry; Be Happy."

J.S. Armstrong has a long tradition (several decades, in fact)
of sharing generously with the missionaries
his Brooks Brother ties and See's Chocolates!

Parting Note

The President and I are hugely blessed to have the services and friendship of
J.S. Armstrong and Sister Connell in numerous administrative responsibilities.
They are each superb!