Independence : GENERAL PRIESTHOOD MEETING

Dinner at Firehouse Subs before Priesthood

Attending general priesthood meeting with my sons and now my grandson has always been a special time for me. Last night was a little bitter sweet as I figured it will be the last one for a while with Noah and James. Since coming on our mission, I've been able to attend 2 of them with Noah. Attending these priesthood meetings with them will be right at the top of the many things I will miss when we return home in a couple of months.

EARLY GOODBYE

Front row L-R
Sis. & Pres. Hancock, Pres. & Sis. Vest, Sis. & Pres. Priday, Sis. & Elder Tefteler

We did not realize it until we arrived, but Monday was our last senior missionary dinner with President Vest and his wife. These special dinners are held every 2 months and the next one will occur a few days after we leave. Those missionaries that will be departing prior to the next dinner are given the opportunity to bear their testimonies and say goodbye. It was a very bitter sweet moment as our emotions were close to the surface ,contemplating this chapter of our lives shortly coming to end. I was not ready but perhaps it was better this way. I suppose if I had 2 months to think about what I ought to say, I would have taken too much time and not gotten out everything that was in my heart.

We have grown to love our mission president and also President Bruce Priday who was recently called to serve as the 1st counselor in the mission presidency after being released as the stake president in the Lenexa stake. Both these men are spiritual giants and examples of Christ-like service and love. We will miss them as well as all the other senior missionaries we have come to love and appreciate.

YOUNG MEN CLIMBING ACTIVITY

We have been trying to put together a trip to a local rock climbing gym ever since we came home from the summer trip to South Dakota. After the boys got a taste of the climbing and repelling fun on the trip, they have been looking forward to trying out their new found skills here. Ten young men showed up and they all had a ball. After only about 3 hours of non-stop climbing, they were done. Their fingers and arms were cramping up from all the exertion. I'm sure they will be back.