Outgoing missionaries--A flow of tears and shouts of happy hurrahs!

With outgoing missionaries, it becomes a series of events that ultimately trigger their final departure, a flow of tears, and shouts of happy hurrahs!

The Redlands Temple

First the outgoing temple trip. We attended the Redlands Temple with the outgoing and a few of those who have received their visas. It was absolutely delightful! Just delightful. Those attending: Sisters Bartschi, Bryant, Buitrago, Butler, Price, Rossignoli, Troncoso, and Lobb; Elders Hansen, Kligge, Nelson, Crowther, Stolle, Huckstep, and Sanchez. The day was beautiful! The temple was quiet and peaceful! As we greeted each missionary as he or she entered the Celestial Room, we felt immense love for each of them. Tears were shed, and hearts were full. Afterwards, we flowed from the temple into beautiful afternoon light. We took lots and lots of pictures. To see these incredible missionaries in the temple and then on the temple grounds warmed our hearts! We will miss them all!

Front: Sisters Price, Lobb, Troncoso, Bryant, Bartschi, Buitrago, Rossignoli, and Butler; 
Back: Elders Sanchez, Nelson, Huckstep, President and Sister Hammon, Hansen, Kligge,  Stolle, and Crowther.

Redlands Temple

Second, the “My Plan” interviews. One of the incredible things our missionaries do is complete a “My Plan” document, which basically is their strategic plan when they go home. Focus areas include: learning experience on remember and become, continuing discipleship, self-reliance, dating and temple marriage, and a life’s vision. Of course, there are several sub-categories under each topic. It is highly revelatory for each of them as they reflect on what they have learned on their missions and how they are going to transition home. I only wish I had had a “My Plan” before I returned home.

Outgoing missionaries in front of the Mission Home on the morning of departure

Third, dinner. Yes, you have to eat before you go home--lots of food. The Tenorio Family from Moreno Valley made delicious pork burritos with all the trimmings. Then, of course, Sister Hammon served the most divine tres leches cake. Nothing more delicious than tres leches cake. Nothing!

Sisters Rossignoli, Bartschi, and Bryant enjoying tres leches cake!

Elder Nelson, Kligge, Sanchez, and Loveridge (Assistant)

Fourth, the testimony meeting. As always, the testimony meeting was teary all the way around. What incredible young people they are. Testimonies included these phrases:

Sisters Buitrago, McCracken, and Rossignoli

• E. Sanchez—“Our mission is to refine us for our lives.”
• E. Kligge—“I have loved every single moment.”
• E. Nelson—“I have grown with understanding that God is a loving Heavenly Father.”
• E. Crowther—“The biggest lesson I have learned is who Heavenly Father is.”
• E. Hanson—“I had a confirmation that this is God’s work. I thank Him for everything.”
• S. Price—“The Gospel blesses us and our families. I have seen His tender mercies.”
• S. Rhoton—“We are all representatives of the Lord Jesus Christ.”
• Hna. Buitrago—“The Gospel of Jesus Christ is true, no matter what.”
• Hna. Troncoso—“I have learned how much Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love us.”
• S.  Butler—“I testify that Jesus Christ leads this Church. We will not fall beyond His reach.”
• S. Rossignoli—“With the Spirit, I have affected more people than I realize.”
• S. Bartschi—“This is been the hardest, yet most sacred experience I have ever had.”
• S. Bryant—“Jesus Christ is the Savior and Redeemer. Because of this I am not the same person.”
• E. McCracken—“God is a loving God. Hopefully, I have learned from all this.”
• S. McCracken—“Every single day we affect someone in everything you do.”

Fifth, companionship study with the President. Perhaps, this is one of my most favorite things to do prior to missionaries leaving. After a divine dinner and a spiritual testimony meeting, we gather in the family room and study together. We studied "light" and its aspects. It was truly a revelatory experience for me.

President Hammon; Elders Crowther, Nelson, Sanchez, and Kligge; Sister Price

Sisters Bartschi, Bryant, Troncoso, Butler, Rhoton, Rossignoli; and Elder Hansen

Sixth, the actual leaving. We rose early on Tuesday morning, ate a delicious breakfast, and then trundled out to the airport. We all said good bye to those heading east at one terminal and then rushed over to the other terminal with those going to Salt Lake City. As we watched each group walk up the stairs—the escalator was broken—our hearts were full. We had said our goodbyes, knowing full well, we will see some of them soon as they return to the Mission to participate in baptisms, endowments, sealings, and just tours.

Up the stairs to security

Up, up and away!

Finally, the return home after seeing them off. Seeing missionaries return home creates somewhat of hole in your life. They have become a part of you. You interview them numerous times; teach them the gospel of Jesus Christ; go out with them and watch them teach, testify, and invite; talk to them on the phone; attend the temple with them, attend their baptisms; and have various other conversations in less formal situations. You literally watch them grow, develop, mature, progress, and become someone totally different than they were when they came. It is a fascinating look at the emerging and changing lives of young adults. Yes, it is a blessing!

We also had four missionaries--all visa waiters--leave for their respective missions in Cape Verde, Taiwan, and Tahiti.

Elder Patching (Cape Verde) and President Hammon

Sister Lobb (Taiwan), Sister and President Hammon, and Elder Stolle (Taiwan)

Elder Huckstep (Tahiti)

Elder Stolle and Sister Lobb--off they go to Taiwan

May they all remember and adhere to what they wrote in their “My Plans” and what they have learned on their missions. If they do, they will be forever grateful and blessed.

Palm trees on the grounds of the Redlands Temple