Farewell to NOM

Goodbye NOM...

you've been some of the best years of our lives

and we will never be the same because of you.

But wait...

what's this?

A new grand baby,

lots of loved ones around,

NOM RM's all over the place,

and a whole new season of life to live.

Hello to the Westons

Just as we have watched hundreds of missionaries

come up the airport terminal,

we also watched as the Westons made their way

off the plane and into the adventure of their lifetime!

They are wonderful people and we feel that we are leaving the mission

in very good hands.

Later, a yummy dinner by the office staff,

then over to the mission home for a brief meeting,

 finally the ceremonial Passing of the Phone and

 the mission is all theirs.

Final Office Lunch and Goodbyes

Goofing off at the China Buffett.

Back to the office for more goodbyes.

Goodbye Sister Lund...

goodbye Missionary painting...

goodbye Sisters...

goodbye Elder Lund...

goodbye Sister Nordhoff...

and Elder Nordhoff...

goodbye Sister Horne...

and President's office...

and goodbye to the 'wall of the presidents'.

(All these other good folks have come and gone too

and now we are just a picture on the wall.

At least we are in very good company.)

Good bye to all our wonderful office staff.

We could never have gotten through a single day without them.

We love you all!

Farewell Dinner

The senior missionaries gave us a lovely farewell dinner

and presented us with some priceless gifts...

a beautiful book made by Sister Scott

with pictures of Omaha, the mission,

the missionaries and the Trail Center.

Oh, my goodness what a treasure...

Elder Watson presented a painting on canvas

done by a LDS artist of the Missouri River

where the saints crossed and set up Winter Quarters.

It's gorgeous!!!!

Many sweet sentiments were expressed by all

and it made us very sad to think how much we would 

miss all these dear friends.

But we take comfort in the fact that they will be our friends

forever!

Nothing binds people more then 

serving, sacrificing and growing together.

We will always love these dear souls,

our fellow missionaries.

Pioneers Past and Present

Because the Sisters musical presentation

has been such a big hit,

we have decided to perform it in Stake Building

as a member missionary effort.

Every time I hear it, I am just amazed

at the talent and poise of our young Sisters.

So is everyone else!!

They absolutely love doing it and it shows in their faces.

The audiences love it too!

Galland's Grove

The Galland family is an old pioneer family

who crossed the plains with the saints

but chose to stay in Iowa rather then move on to Utah.

Their graves were identified

and much effort has gone into making their grave sites

a pleasant and welcoming place.

Brother and Sister Galland, who were mission presidents several years ago, 

and their daughter flew in for the unveiling

of the new Abel Galland Memorial Cemetery.

Along with the Gallands is a dear sister missionary

who is also related to the Galland family.

Many sister missionaries did a lot of work to help make this happen.

It was a fun ceremony with all the trimmings.

Everyone had a wonderful time.

Final Temple Trip

We have the opportunity to go to the Temple once a week

with the different zones in the Mission.

This will be our last time to be with a group this size.

It is such a sweet experience 

to see each of these amazing young people dressed in white.

They always smile at me when I walk in 

and my heart just about bursts with love for them all. 

Afterwards we take a quick stroll around the temple.

The grounds are so peaceful and very beautiful.

Knowing this is our last time

we gather everyone together for a few pictures.

These are the moments that I will miss the most.