Category: Departing Wednesday

It’s never easy to let these precious souls leave the ATM.

But we also know there are precious families waiting for their return. Let’s load up and get these missionaries home!

Lots and lots of bags!

Such amazing experiences shared with such good friends. The joy of missionary work and the gospel is embedded in their hearts and shines in their countenances.

We are always on the solemn side of seeing our missionaries leave and we never get to see the other joyful reunion side. But this transfer, we were able to see two of the families come and get their missionary sons at the airport in Tucson. It truly was a special, sacred moment. We almost felt unworthy to be there taking photos.

Love, love the Mom hugs!!!

Carry on dear missionaries of the ATM!

LIVE, LOVE, and SHARE the truths and testimonies you taught and bore for the last 24/18 months. We love you!

Here we are….. bright eyed and excited for the new day. It’s time to depart the ATM for home, family and friends.

It’s quite surreal and daunting, but we must move forward with all that we have learned here in the ATM and go forth into the world and be lights of righteous and true disciples of Christ.

Thank you for all of your hard work and diligence in inviting others to come unto Christ.  Keep that missionary tag forever on your hearts.

We will miss you, but you have family and friends on pins and needles waiting for you this morning.

Well done dear missionaries!

Switching gears now…let’s get to the temple where we meet up with the departing missionaries.

After a special time with our departing missionaries in the temple, we head off for the mission office for some lunch and interviews.

 

Everyone….these are Sonoran Hot Dogs. They are the Tucson bomb!

A good brother from Tucson makes these for us. They are something everyone should try, they are THAT good.

All of the departing missionaries squeal with delight, well maybe not the Elders, when we tell them what’s for lunch… their last ATM lunch.

They are THAT good.

Let’s eat!

Elder Gillespie thank you for being an ATM missionary. We enjoyed getting to know you and work along side you. We love you!

Off to the mission home for our last dinner and special testimony evening. Pass around the tissue box!

Departing Wednesday-early in the morning… doubt none got very much sleep.

Off to the airport and to get them home to their families!  Bitter sweet.

Unloading the precious cargo of eighteen months/two years. Hoping every bag is under 50 lbs! Cross your missionary fingers.

Tickets in hands and hearts a-pounding. Gulp.

 

This sight is the most tender sight of the transfer cycle. Backs to us, and faces toward their futures.  Onward, ever onward!

God Bless you all!! May you take what you’ve learned from your missions and light the world with your Savior’s LIGHT!

In the wee hours of the morning, there is a stir at 939 W Chapala Dr in Tucson, AZ.

This morning, our ATM missionaries are leaving their home of the past two years or 18 months to fly home to family and friends excitedly waiting for them. Can words really describe how we all feel?  Simply put, NO.

  But maybe you can read between the lines, seeing the faces in these pictures and maybe feel a little more of what we all are going through.

It’s just hard to explain…

T   H   E      A   I   R   P   O   R   T

T  H  E    U  N  L  O  A  D  I  N  G

T   H   E      S   T   U   F   F     T   H   A   T   ‘   S     B   E   E   N     S   T   U   F   F   E   D

T  H  E    G  O  O  D  B  Y  E  ‘  S

T  H  E    H  U  G  S

   T  H  E     F  I  N  A  L     T  I  C  K  E  T      H  O  M  E

Farewell to all of our dear ATM missionaries.   Safe travels!

Thank you for all your service and dedication to the Lord’s work. May the Lord bless you for your efforts and may He be with you in all of your many endeavors. We love you!