On Thursday night the missionaries who will depart for home tomorrow come to the mission home as soon as they get back from the temple. Since we will leave before the next group will depart we were invited to this one.

We arrived early and were able to help prepare dinner…that is another last as we have had the chance to do this a number of times for different events. It is always fun to work with sister Anderson as she gets ready to serve another meal to 10 to 80 people.

Unfortunately I left my camera plugged into the computer at home because I downloaded all the pictures from earlier in the day. I would have run home and got it but we were needed. But when the missionaries arrived E/S McCormick were kind enough to let me use their phone to take at least a few pictures. So the event did not go completely unrecorded! I think I will ask some of the missionaries who went home to share some of their pictures with me.

As soon as the departing missionaries arrive at the mission home, there is a blessing on the food and they dig in. Elder Edwards’ mother will be happy to see he is getting salad before he hits the meat and starches. Elders Silva, Chamberlain, Maki, Edwards, and a wide smiling Kata are ready to get started filling their plates.

The two B’s that are finishing their mission, Elder Beer and Sister Beck pose for their picture. Elder Dowdle carries his heaping plate of food while elder Chinchilla can be seen in the back ground.

The letter reading group grew to three when sister Andrus joined them. We have had the great experience of serving near both sisters for much of our mission. President Anderson watches over the food while sister Collins helps out. The Collins have been busy almost everyday for weeks as they try to find housing for all the new companionships. Then they have to fill them with furniture, and everything else the missionaries will need. They are an amazing couple who have served for at least 3 years and are planning to continue serving as the housing couple. We will miss them very much.

Elder Silva and Sister Lake get their food…I can testify that those rolls in front of sister Lake are wonderful. Even though I am trying to keep my weight down, I can not pass up the rolls. Elder Beer continued to attract the sisters…now the party includes sister Lake.

I am not sure if Mary was guarding the salad bowl or making sure each missionary had something green on their plate besides delicious green beans.

After dinner we gathered in the living room and President Anderson asked each missionary to share a special spiritual experience that they had on their mission. It was very interesting and spiritually uplifting to hear how they were led by the spirit to special people who the Lord had prepared to hear the gospel from them.

Then it was time for a departing group picture before we had final hugs and goodbyes. Hopefully we will be able to see some of these great missionaries again after we get home. But no matter where we are the memory of their great spirits and friendships will be in our hearts.