"Tears of Gratitude"

A Faithful Missionary who has honorably fulfilled his or her calling

is one of the most beautiful sights in the whole world. These are the faithful Missionaries who completed their Missions on August 24th and 25th. It is difficult for us to let them go. They are strong and wise and well equipped to confront all of life's challenges with diligence, patience, intelligence, and love. But their Mission shoes are impossible to fill. We will always love these beautiful Elders and Sisters. They hold a special place in our hearts. What an honor to have served with each of them. On Friday, we attended the Temple with them. As we sat in the Celestial room and watched them, we were overwhelmed with their goodness. They looked so happy and so clean and so pure. We pray that they can always stay as clean and pure and happy as they were on that special Friday in the Santiago Temple. We had our last lunch at the Mission home on Monday. They shared mission memories, and we laughed and cried together. Then from there we went to the Mission office for the last time, picked up their luggage and headed to the airport with the North American Elders and Sisters. The Latin Elders and Sisters stayed one more night and then we took them to the airport Tuesday morning...very early! We all shed many tears of gratitude as we spent this last day together and bid them all a fond farewell.