Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Saying Good-Bye......For 2 Years!...........

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On the morning of August 25, we packed the car with your things and headed for the airport
in El Paso.  Your flight left at around 1:15....stopped in Atlanta for you to meet up with
more missionaries and then on to England.  We left home....and about the time we were going through
Janos...Pres. Whetten called to give you some last words of advice.  You really enjoyed talking
to him.  He told you to work hard, and be obedient.  And then, about the time we were in
Ascencion, you announced that you had fogotten your wallet!  Thankfully I had
your passport in my purse...but in your wallet was your debit card, your money and most
importantly your temple recommend.  Oh well....I ended up sending it to you a week later.
We arrived at the airport...checked you in, and walked to the escelator where we knew we
had to tell you good-bye.
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All the pictures we have of you are from behind.  You didn't want to take pictures...you didn't want
to smile.  You seemed pretty overwhelmed with the whole experience....and I
can't say that I blamed you. 
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We stopped at the bottom of the stairs...we all hugged and through alot of tears, we
said our good-byes.  Your hugs seemed extra tight.  We all told you how much
we loved you and off you went.  We stayed and watched you until we couldn't see you
anymore.  It was one of the hardest things we have ever done...knowing we won't
see you for two years.  On the other hand...I have imagined how this day would be
for many years.  I have shed many tears just thinking about it...and I sure shed many
tears as I watched you walk away from us. 
You never turned back.  You just kept moving ahead.
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I am sure we must have been quite a site...with all of our tears as we were leaving the
airport.  We walked back to the car.  No one said anything...just alot of crying.
We sat in the car for a few minutes...trying to gather ourselves.  We drove away
slowing..wondering what we should do and where we should go.  It was just so sad.
Dad really shed some tears!  The only place that would make him feel better was...you guessed it....
Harbor Freight!  haha  We did a little shopping....had some lunch....and then headed home.
Home was sad....we cried for days.  If anyone mentioned your name I burst into tears.
The next Sunday...after you left....Sis. Jewell Bluth told us that her great-neice was one of
the sister missionaries in your travel group.  She knew who you were...she said you took
charge of the travel group and made sure they were all accounted for and on the flight...
I thought that was great...given you are the youngest in your group.  She also said you were
a pretty spiritual guy!  Although hard to let you go....we are so proud of you for
taking 2 years from your life to serve Heavenly Father!

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