Farewells

All good things come to an end, including Hill Cumorah Pageant. How we enjoyed the nights we served in the information booth, and the nights we attended (two of which we were able to bring several people for whom it was a first time event and an introduction to our church).

Before the start of the last performance, we were treated to testimonies given by some of the directors of  Pageant.

from left to right: Brent Hanson -- the artistic director, the choreographer, and the battle master (in charge of war scenes)

Cast members greeted audience members for the final time on closing night.

Cast members lined up for a final time before marching onto the huge stage.

Right after Pageant ended, we had a few more farewells, as several missionaries headed back home.

We hated saying "good-bye" to Elder Wilson, an awesome Elder who had been in our district. A very talented singer, he'll be majoring in music theatre at BYU. (Hello Broadway).

We also hated saying "good-bye" to our awesome zone leader, Elder Stoker. He has always set such a good example for all of us and has taught us so much.

I started a new tradition of "farewell"luncheons at our place for missionaries "dying"(finishing up) in our district.

We weren't sad to say "Good-bye" and good riddance to this old sofa that the elders had fun demolishing with a baseball bat before shoving it out the window of an apartment we closed down in Hornell.  We are sad to be saying farewell to the missionary behind the sofa, Elder Campbell, who is going home next week. He is one of the Assistants to the Mission President and has helped us with many a move in and move out.

This week, we said farewells to a few wonderful senior missionary couples, at a barbecue in Palmyra for senior the couples.

Elder and Sister Jones (from Utah) have done wonders in the small Warsaw branch. They will be greatly missed! But we'll see them again in Texas. Elder Jones comes to Galveston a lot on business.

Serving out here together, we all become like family. We have such love in our hearts for all the young elders and sisters,  the senior missionaries and mission president and his wife, who have left their homes and families to serve the Lord and help bring the blessings of His Gospel to the people of New York.