Bittersweet in Cauayan

October  saw 16 of our fine missionaries completing their time of service in the field and returning home.  They come in to the mission home with worn out shoes and collars, bags that have made room for some souvenirs, and hearts and minds overflowing with memories.

It is a bittersweet time.

It's hard to see them go.  But it's time for the next amazing experiences of their lives
 and we send them off with many hopes for all that lies ahead, 
blessed by all that they have just accomplished and leave behind.

First to go on October 11th was Senior Couple Elder and Sister Kiholm
It's hard to think of the mission without them--and we are deeply
grateful for their love and service.

On the morning of the 22nd, the Elders and Sisters begin to come in.
There's luggage to weigh, interviews with the President, and the departure
fireside for one last time to share their testimonies in the mission field.

Elder Magalog, Elder Reher, Elder Ardon (photo-bombing--we keep him for a long time still)
Elder Dixon, Elder Nielsen, Elder James, Elder Robinson
  

Elder James and Elder Dixon
The weighing and rearranging of the luggage

Homeward Bound--
with one last tradition to complete. . .
Front Row:  Elders Jimenez, Ballentos, Oyardo, Magalog, Sisters Ramos, Larsen and Klein
Back Row:  Elders Dixon, Nielsen, Reher, Proctor, James, Robinson and Allen

. . .the cutting of the ties
Elder Allen and Elder Robinson

Elder Proctor 

Elder James

and material from a skirt. . .

Sister Larsen 

Sister Klein 

Sister Ramos
 

So we will always have a piece of them to remember!
(the material from the ties and skirts will be made into a quilted wall hanging)

 

Elder Reher, Elder Dixon and Elder Nielson getting ready for the trip to Manila
(They haven't seen their suit jackets for two years)

One last picture with President Rahlf
Sister Larsen, Sister Klein, Sister Ramos

On the Friday before departures, we learned that the flight to Manila on the 23rd had been cancelled.
So just as these missionaries came into Cauayan on a bus 18 months or 2 years ago,
they returned to Manila and their connecting flights home the same way.
A 10-12 hour bus ride gives you lots of time to reminisce!

We watched while they loaded their luggage and climbed on the bus and waved good-bye.
Bittersweet.


God be with you 'til we meet again

"Thy friends do stand by thee, and they shall hail thee again with warm hearts and friendly hands."
Doctrine and Covenenants 121:9