Fond Farewell...Warm Welcome!

DEPARTING MISSIONARIES!

Elder Ward and Elder Lyman, two of our "Southern Gentlemen" completed their missions on June 26. They have been outstanding missionaries during their two years of service. We will miss their "Yes Ma'am" and "Yes Sir" as well as the light they added to everyone's lives.

 Elder Ward, from North Carolina, plans to return to Wake Forest University this fall. Elder Ward is the oldest of five children. He is considering going to medical school and becoming a cardiothoracic surgeon. His brother just younger than he will be leaving for the Germany Alpine mission at the end of the summer.

Elder Lyman's mother flew to Vladivostok to meet her son upon completion of his mission. This has been a family tradition to pick up her missionaries. From Tyler, Texas, Elder Lyman, the youngest of six children, will attend Texas A&M in the Fall. He wants to be a professional golfer. He will say good-bye to his sister who leaves for the Ecuador Guayaquil mission as a medical missionary this month.  

NEW MISSIONARIES ARRIVE!

About 15 minutes after saying our goodbyes, ten enthusiastic missionaries (our largest group to date) emerged from customs (6 elders and 4 sisters). Though they had every reason to feel weary after the LONG journey to Russia, they were smiling and happy!

 Here Sister Handley, Elder Pack, Elder Niederhauser, and Elder Duckworth arrive through the doors first.

 Our traditional group photo includes: Sister Brinton, Elder Owens (AP) Sister Lutz, Sister Jennings, Sister Handley, Sister Peters, Elder Duckworth, Elder Pack, Elder Niederhauser, Elder Meldrum, Elder Sayers, Elder Craig, Elder Whitmore (AP) and President Brinton.

 This is the luggage of ten missionaries who brought everything they need for 18 months to two years! 

 We were at a disadvantage this time as our mission van was in the "shop" being repaired. We just had our 7-passenger SUV available for the biggest pieces of luggage.

 What a blessing that Vladivostok has a brand-new fast train that goes directly from the brand-new airport to the train station in Vlad. From the train station, it is an easy walk to the mission office. Each of the missionaries was given a Book of Mormon to give to someone on the way. They were accompanied by the Assistants on the train. In the meantime, Pres. and Sister Brinton took some of the luggage to the Mission Home from the airport and were able to meet the incoming missionaries at the downtown train station in time to retrieve all the rest of the luggage. After a short walk to the office, the new missionaries had a brief orientation, were registered in the country, went to the bank to receive their first "rubles", had photos taken and even emailed home. A welcome dinner was ready at the Mission Home and a short devotional followed. The missionaries were able to get a good nights' sleep.

 The next morning, President conducted training for the new missionaries. Pictured is Sister Peters from Fruit Heights, UT; Sister Handley from Provo, UT; Sister Lutz from Springville, UT, and Sister Jennings from Cleveland, UT.

Also at the training meeting were Elder Craig from Lehi, UT; Elder Meldrum from Idaho Falls, ID; Elder Duckworth from Las Vegas, NV; Elder Niederhauser from Layton, UT; Elder Pack from American Fork, UT; Elder Sayers from Altus, OK

 In the afternoon training session, the new missionaries were joined by their trainers...

 Elder Meldrum took a moment to look over his orientation booklet.

Elders Craig and Niederhauser do personal study.

Missionaries are eager to go preach the gospel!

We are so grateful to all the parents who share their sons and daughters with us for 18 months to two years. These are amazing, talented, bright, and spiritually-mature young men and women who are a great blessing to the Russia Vladivostok Mission. We thank you for your sacrifice and for preparing such fine missionaries to build the Lord's kingdom in this wonderful part of the world.