DEPARTING MISSIONARY DINNER AND FUN.

Well this was a big, fun group that went home. This is group that came in at the same time as us. 2 yrs ago. The sisters came 18 months ago, but the elders arrived just a couple of days after we did. So it feel strange to have them leave. After transfer meeting, the departing missionaries come home with us. We had a nice big rib dinner. (I forgot to take pictures as evidence-haha) then we head to DC for a final night of sight-seeing. After that we return to the mission home for my favorite meeting. We have our own private testimony meeting with our departing missionaries. This is a time when they share their feelings about the mission, their love of the gospel and the people of DC south. It is a very moving meeting and I really treasure these meetings every time we have them. This group included: Sisters Barrero, Nichols, Spencer, Aulava, and Malmberg and Elders Khishig-Erdene, Kirkham, Scott, Gillihan, Jones, and Karren. Also included on the program at transfer meeting were Elders Rex, Tovar, and Orme who leave in August all on different days. We were blessed to have a number of parents come and pick up their missionaries. The Aulavas, The Gillihans, The Jones, and the Malmbergs. It was fun to meet all of them. The group that left at 5:00 a.m. for the airport. Elders Scott and Kirkham and sisters Barrero, Aulava, Nichols, and Spencer.
Elder Key from Mongolia. He left later in the afternoon. What a special young man. He is half way thru medical school and was allowed to leave and serve a mission. He learned to love DC and the US and is sad about leaving. We hope that someday he will be able to return and we can see him again.
Elder Jones family picked him up at the mission home. He "dressed up" for the occassion. They are spending a couple of days touring the area before returning home.

Elder Gillihan and his parents. They are from Las Vegas and it was fun to visit and realize that we had lots of common friends at home. It will be fun to see Elder Gillihan at home.

5:00 a.m. heading for the airport
A last trip out of the mission home
Elder Key hangs his tie on the banister.
Sisters Malmberg, Aulava, Barrero, Spencer, Nichols, and Elders Jones, Scott, Kirkham,

Karren, Rex, Gillihan and Key at the Jefferson Memorial.
Elders Key ad Rex

Elder Kirkham- one of the kindest young men anywhere. Off to Idaho and shoulder repair and to Sweeden to represent the boyscouts at the International Jamboree. Actor supreme.
Elder Gillihan- off to Las Vegas and school and on to Jewelry design.

Elder Scott- returning to his beloved truck in Idaho. A super "redneck" and fun guy.



Elders Gillihan, Rex, and Scott
Sisters Barrero, Nichols, and Malmberg
5 beauties: Sisters Spencer- school teacher from Utah, Sister Nichols- Airforce Cadet at the Airforce academy in Colorado Springs, Sister Malmberg-from Canada, Dental Assistant and

RS President, Sister Aulava- from Florida- Volleyball player and coach heading to Utah, and Sister Barrero- from Oregon heading to BYUI for school. A great group of ladies.
Elers Key, Doman, Kirkham, and Res
Sister Nichols and Elder Kirkham giving me the cute face.
Sister Malmberg
Outside of transfer meeting there is a lot of action. Everyone is moving their belongings from one car to another and it is really quite the event to watch. Making sure everyone has a ride and a place for their stuff and especially to transport bikes is all quite a feat. Our office elders do a remarkable job of working out all the kinks.



Sis Aulava's parents came to pick her up and see her mission. They came to the transfer meeting. It was fun to meet them because Sis Aulava is so much fun. They didn't get to come to dinner because they had to leave for the airport but we were happy to see them at the meeting.