May 2015 Departures

This was a particularly interesting departing group, including:

  

~ a couple of SLC Temple Square sisters who completed their two-transfer proselyting rounds in our mission, 

~ one sister completing her mission here after being transferred from a foreign country with less medical support, 

~ one Brazil VISA-waiter whose VISA came through after a couple transfers, 

~ two elders who originally came to our mission to wait for VISAs to Brazil but ended up completing their entire two-year service with us, and, 

~ 8 who were actually originally called to complete their service in 
"the greatest mission in the history of life," 

4 of whom were in the MTC 

at the same time as the President and I were there in June 2013.

Front row L-R:  Elder Richards, Sister Tuuhia, Elders Eshiet, Lematua, Andrade and Welch
Middle row L-R:  Elder Wilcox, Sister Wu, Me, Elders Lines and Jensen and our dear J.S. Armstrong
Back row L-R:  Elder Fuller, Sisters Edwards and Bertholon, President, Elders Swensen and Manning

Scrapbooking:

Elder Wilcox created a "textbook" scrapbook page that we will now use as the "cover page" for everything he sends us about his life in the future, including, wedding announcement, graduation announcement, baby announcement, etc.

Dinner:

Storytelling:

Presentation of Service Coins:

President explains the significance of the service coins for those who have completed their missions.

The coin is presented through a handshake in which the coin is passed from the President to the receiving missionary, in this case, Elder Eshiet

Parting words from Sister Cooke about "continuing the mission"

i.e.,  CHARLIE - MIKE !

Before anyone gets too serious...

This transfer, we also said goodbye to two of our fabulous "seasoned couples:"

The Colsons, who have been stalwarts of the mission office,

and

The Raybacks, who have been pillars in the DC3rd Ward,

also known as "The Hallelujah Ward."