Called To Serve in DC North

Friday, January 30, 2015

January 2015 Departures

Sister Austin joins Elders Hansen, Johnson, Peterson and Whitlock in back
and Elders Farley and Owens in front
at Reagan National Airport just before checking on to their flights home

A few days earlier,

at the departure dinner at the Mission Home…

… the first order of business is for each departing missionary to create a personalized page for the Cookes' scrapbook...

Elders Owens and Farley

Elder Peterson

Elder Whitlock

Elder Johnson

… and to mark your favorite scripture in the Cookes' set.

Elder Hansen

Elder Farley
and J.S. Armstrong (Pres' 1st counselor & dear friend)

Elder Farley worked especially closely with our dear friend, J.S., and mastered a wonderful imitation of J.S.' "Jimmy Stewart" style of speaking. We captured a few seconds of it here:

Dinner is a must.

President with Elders Hansen, Johnson, Owens and Whitlock

Elders Farley,& Peterson with J.S. Armstrong, our daughter Elizabeth and Sister Austin

After dinner, it's story time… with each departing missionary sharing one of their favorite funny moments during their mission.

Elder Hansen tells his story while Elders Peterson and Whitlock listen

Elder Whitlock

Elder Farley

Elders Peterson and Hansen

Pres Cooke with our son Howard and AP Elder Wilcox (not leaving yet!)

Elder Peterson

Elder Johnson and J.S. Armstrong

Elder Whitlock

Elder Johnson

Sister Austin

L-R: Elders Wilcox. Johnson, J.S., Elders Peterson, Hansen and Whitlock

Sister Austin

Elder Owens

Our son Joe listens to Elder Owens

Finally, the President presents service coins

with a handshake and a hug.

Pres Cooke explains the insignia and significance of the service coins before presenting them individually.

Pres Cooke embracing Elder Johnson after presenting his coin.

Elder Johnson watches as Elder Peterson gets his coin and Elder Hansen waits his turn.

Elder Hansen

Elder Farley

The evening traditionally ends with singing the mission song,

"Testify of Me"

Elders Johnson, Peterson, Hansen, Whitlock, Farley, J.S. Elder Owens, President and Sister Austin

The only problem with letting Sister Cooke accompany is that the song will be …
… very energetic (fast & furious)!

Final Testimonies at Transfer Meeting

Elder Farley

Sister Austin

Elder Johnson

Elder Hansen

Then, off to the Airport!

At Reagan National Airport

With a few minutes before boarding, we enjoyed the "rocking chair lounge" that looks out over the tarmac.

Farewell, dear friends!

Friday, December 12, 2014

December 2014 Departures

In December, 14 of our missionaries completed their service and gathered at the Mission Home for the traditional departures' dinner

The evening ends with everyone posing with the service coins awarded for completing their missions.
Back row L-R: Elders Gardiner and Stubbs, Pres and myself, Elders Malugin, Tavana and Proudfoot
Middle: Sisters Connelly, Johnson, Saviano, Liu, Taggart and Carcamo
Front: Elders Guerrero, Lussier-Houle and Horowitz

Sisters Taggart and Saviano with our daughter Elizabeth

Everyone creates a personalized page for the Cookes' scrapbook, which page becomes the cover sheet for any other notices of important life events that missionary sends us later - e.g. these wedding invitations of former WDCN missionaries

After dinner and scrapbooks, we gather to share funny memories of each missionary's service.

Sisters Taggart and Liu (a Temple Square sister who came to our mission for a two-transfer full-proselyting rotation),
Sisters Saviano and Connelly, Sister Johnson (blocked from view) and our daughter Carrie in back

Let the stories begin!