We knew when we left home that we would see our 4 children and our 11 grandchildren again...but now we realize we will likely never see in this life all of the wonderful people we have met while serving a mission. No one told us it would be harder to return home than it was to leave!
The following quote by President Gordon B. Hinckley rings true for us.
"There will be more tears shed when you leave the mission field to return home than will be shed when you leave home to go into the field."
We are grateful for President Monson's reminder to the "mature brothers and sisters" in the 2010 October general conference, "...we need many, many more senior couples...I urge you to prepare for the day when you and your spouse might do so...There are few times in your lives when you will enjoy the sweet satisfaction that comes from giving full-time service together in the work of the Master." We testify that this is true!
How grateful we are for the love and support of our family while on our mission and look forward to being reunited with them.
We especially look forward to spending time with and giving lots of hugs to our grandchildren.
What greater gift could grandparents give to their posterity than to say by deed as well as word, "IN THIS FAMILY WE SERVE MISSIONS."
