Departing 5/24/17

This was prior to our sharing experiences and testimonies.

Most wanted to weigh their luggage to make sure they were under 50 pounds.

Elders Herrera-Loya, Taufatofua, Lallatin

Sister Mortimer, Hermana Arkell, Sisters Fisher, Barnum

President Felix thought he would photo bomb.

Sister Fisher wanted a selfie.

It was a bit foggy when they left for the Burbank airport.

Transfers 5/23/17

Elder Andrus took pictures along the way of the transfers.

Sisters Christiansen, Hardy, Besendorfer, Page, Hermana Arkell

Elders Hales, Slaugh, Hermanas Arkell, Hernandez, Elder Whatcott

Elders Liddiard, McCurdy

Elder Stevens helping load up the trailer.  The luggage is color coded according to its destination.

Elders Allen, Shumway, Shaw, Avalos

Elder Bateman and Reeve talking

Elders Alder and Hiltscher in Santa Maria

We are grateful for Sisters Iverson, Andrus and Hardy for arranging for, purchasing, and picking up food for the lunch.  Lunch is provided for the new missionaries, trainers, departing missionaries, and those taking the departing missionaries out for the afternoon prior to dropping them off at the mission home.  We planned for about 50.

The new missionaries met with the Senior couples for orientation.  The trainers met with the assistants and President and Sister Felix.  After those meetings we all come together and the companionships are announced, a little training and then off to their areas.

Elders Harper and Reichman

When announced Elder Harper said "Yah, twin towers."

Sisters Lovatao and Frankman

Elders Thomas and Olasci

Sisters Masaki and Rosenlof

Sister Rosenlof said "Yea, another short one." 

Sisters Christiansen and Wright

Hermanas Coronel and Cortez

Elders Feil and Harris did not get their pictures taken.

Arrivals 5/22/17

The flights were delayed over an hour so we were very excited to see them when they arrived.

We are fortunate to have three elders called to serve in the CVM while waiting for visas to India.

Everyone went to Goleta Beach Park for lunch while we waited for Hermana Coronel who flew in from Mexico.  This is on the patio at the airport which sends balls going different routes.

Sister Frankman - Idaho

Sister Masaki - Hawaii

Sister Wright - Idaho

Hermana Coronel - Tennessee

Elder Feil - Utah

Elder Harper - Utah

Elder Thomas - Utah

After lunch we drove to the mission office instead of stopping at the Cross.  The visibility was not good due to the marine layer.  We decided we would go Tuesday morning prior to driving to the mission office for lunch.

The elders slept at the mission home and the sisters went to members' homes Monday night.

Tuesday morning we had breakfast and took pictures with us and the missionary to be sent home in the letter they would write in the afternoon.  President did interviews while Sister Felix played Jeopardy with the others and administered a questionnaire for a personality test.  

Sister Iverson helped drive the missionaries to the Cross.  The visibility was not good but we still wanted them to have the experience of putting "both feet in." 

I guess Elder Harper thought he was doing a standing long jump. They all said "I'm committed!"