This transfer brought some more changes to how transfers were done.
In order to accommodate the temple president's request for increased reverence in the temple, we asked missionaries to visit with one another in the cafeteria following the session. Thus there was no real gathering time outside the temple.
Because the departing missionaries were traveling on the day before Thanksgiving, travel arrangements were made for them to leave very early in the morning. The usual testimony meeting and lunch was moved to the mission home following the departing interview and breakfast.
While it didn't have the same "tradition" feel, it was still wonderful to gather together. In fact, it was nice to meet in that casual setting and have the missionaries reflect on their first testimony meeting in the mission field seated in that same room. Their testimonies have grown, their understanding of life has grown, their love for other people has grown.
 |
| Sister Chan and Sister Lewis begin signing the things they need to. |
 |
| Seated around the table: Sister Chan, Sister Bleazard and Sister Lewis. Cooking pancakes: Elder Brown and Elder Nisson. Looking at books in the dining room: Elder Goodman and Elder Valdetano. |
 |
| Elder Valdetano, Elder Goodman and Elder Wang review items on the table. Notice the collection of wedding announcements. Elder Goodman is looking at the collection of Dear John letters. |
 |
| The elders turn to eat - left to right: Elder Valdetano, Elder Mataele, Elder Brown and Elder Wang. |
 |
| Elder Goodman and Elder Nisson. Elder Nisson reviews the Dear John letters. Returning missionaries can read them and laugh. We don't show them to incoming missionaries who would cry. |
 |
Seated left to right: Sister Chan, Sister Bleazard, President Matsumori, Sister Matsumori and Sister Lewis.
Back row left to right: Elder Valdetano, Elder Nisson, Elder Wang, Elder Mataele and Elder Goodman. |
 |
| Elder Olsen joined us for the testimony meeting. Left to right: Sister Chan, Elder Olsen, Sister Lewis and Sister Bleazard. |
 |
| So - this is what happens when my camera is left around - someone takes crooked pictures. This one is of Elder Wang. |
 |
| Another photo from the phantom photographer this time of Elder Valdetano. |
