The Beginning of the End

Today we said goodbye to our wonderful 2nd year missionaries.  They've been our mentors, our friends, our examples these last six months and we can hardly stand that the end of their mission has arrived, and ours is soon to follow. 

We hosted a farewell dinner celebration for them last night.  And early this morning they began their departure.  A group of us gathered at the entrance of our Ranch 66 Missionary Village campground to bid them farewell, one more time.  They stopped, and hugs and tears were exchanged one last time, with hopes that we would be able to see each other again one day, but with realization that many we would probably never see again on this earth.  It was an emotional farewell. 

 

 

 

And then a mile or so beyond, they met at the gate that led to the highway, all these dear friends who had served together for two years.  They exchanged hugs one last time, took one more photo, then gathered for a group prayer before they departed for their various destinations.  Our director, Elder Fenn, bid each one goodbye at the gate, and then they were gone.  We weren't there to witness this last exchange, but just seeing the photos one of our friends who followed them to the highway has shared brings renewed emotion. 

What a very special blessing to have these amazing missionaries as our companions as we've served here at Martin's Cove this summer.  We have never-to-be-forgotten memories of our experiences with them.

And so, the end has begun...