Farewell

Matthew gave his farewell last Sunday and it was terrific.  He is a great speaker and was really well prepared.  He gave a really well thought out and well delivered talk.  It was fun to get a glimpse of the kind of missionary he's going to be. 

The entire family that lives anywhere close came to show their support + Grandma Kristie and Grandpa John who were not that close also came.  There is a lot of strength in seeing a room full of people who love you and are praying for you.

Matthew also had a lot of good friends who were able to come as well.

Technically, the church handbook asks families not to have a big to-do after the missionary's farewell.  They don't want to encourage people to leave church early and miss their meetings to have a party.  We did do a really down scaled thing.  He had a lot of friends and we had some family that came from a good distance away and wouldn't be able to make their meetings.  He also wanted a last opportunity to visit and say goodbye.  We hosted a small get together for his friends and a few family members.  We ate yummy, not that healthy breakfasty stuff and they spent a lot of time visiting.  It was fun to see him with his friends.  He has some really good ones.

We are looking forward to the family goodbye party tomorrow night!  We had to reschedule it once because of weather, so I'm hoping that Mother Nature cooperates tomorrow night!