Mission Departure

Our last day at the mission home was Sept. 28th...

The Winegar family from Provo, UT and their friend were on our same flight.
They served a one-month service mission, one of many.
He had served as a missionary in Samoa when he was a young man.

Also, at the Faleolo International Airport were Elder & Sister Little's son and his family and one of our mission's returning Elder, Elder Snuka.  When I sat down by him, I put my arm around his shoulders and said, "Elder Snuka, Elder Thurber (AP) told me that I was to take good care of you."  He buried his head in my shoulder and wept and wept.  We truly understood his emotions.  We were on the same flights all the way to Salt Lake City.  He had a brother in Honolulu attending BYUH who met him for the layover.  When we boarded in Los Angeles, Apostle Elder Gong was seated toward the front and he shook our hands, thanking us for our service.  It was touching.  Elder Snuka was excited too.

When we descended the stairs to baggage claim in Salt Lake City, it was a sight to behold missionary family groups behind the tape waiting for their returning missionary like us.  There were banners, cheering, and excitement in the air.  And we were part of it!