Return and Report

We met with President Penrod, our stake president, Saturday morning (Oct. 5) and were officially released as missionaries.  Sad to have to remove our missionary nametags.  It was such a privilege and honor to serve!

President Penrod gave us a certificate and read part of a letter from President Castro to him.  I didn't tell President Penrod that I was the one who prepared and sent those documents to him :)

The following Sunday, we reported our mission to the High Council in the morning, then to our home ward in sacrament meeting.  At that time we were presented with the plaque which had been hanging in the entryway to our church since we left 18 months ago. 

We had such a great gathering of friends and family.  We are very blessed to have such a wonderful support group :)  We love you all.  Following are several pictures, and I could kick myself because I didn't get a picture of Justin Brodie and his girlfriend, Sasha.  "Elder" Brodie was one of the fantastic missionaries that served as an Assistant to the President.  It was so nice of him to come and meet our family and visit at the house.  Thanks, Justin!  Other special people who also attended sacrament meeting were Wade Capson (a counselor in the bishopric to Randy), Brian Poole (a co-worker of Randy's), Rick and Anne Peterson (dear friends - Randy served as counselor to Rick in the bishopric and stake presidency), and numerous ward friends.  So great to see everyone!  I should mention that Tyson Anderson, a young man from our ward, also spoke Sunday as a missionary headed to the MTC this week!  I guess it's possible some of those in attendance were there to hear him :) :)   (Elder Anderson is going to be a great missionary!!)

 

Daughters Tawn, Andrea, and Mauri

aka the "good fairies" who thoroughly cleaned our house

the weekend before we returned home

Thank you for that gift to us!

 

Silly sisters :)

Add brother Devin

Three of our wonderful son-in-laws

Jason Allen, Jay Andrews, and Gary Allen

Having fun with Grandpa

Graysen, Kyri, Alyssa, Tanzi, Victoria

Dan and Thelma

George and Dorothy

My sweet parents, Darlene and George

Karson Andrews

All the little cousins love Karson.  He is great with them.

There was no one his age to "hang" with

Daughter-in-law Nichole and Preslie

Larry

Kyri

 

In PJs - the last ones to load up and go home

 

Let's pull funny faces!

 

Catching a nap

It was a long day for these two troopers

I'm so grateful for their health and loving support

 

In all of this, we felt an empty hole and heartache in the absence of our beloved  Theresa, because we know she would have been right here in the midst of all the activities.  I suspect that she, and other dear ones, were observing and smiling upon this happy family assemblage.  How grateful I am for the Gospel of Hope, Love, and Peace, for the Atonement of our Savior and His redeeming love, and His tender mercies upon us all!