It was a very sad day in our mission when we had to say goodbye to our dear friends and fellow missionaries--Elder John and Sharon Russell. They came knowing what it takes to be a valuable senior couple. This was their second mission--they had served previously served in Maine.
They spent their days loving, lifting, nurturing and teaching three struggling branches and guess what? Those branches slowly but surely started improving. They also loved the youth and personally saw to it that a number of young men submitted their mission papers. They were sought after seminar, youth conference and auxiliary training speakers. They truly helped their corner of our mission blossom like a rose!
A week or so before they left we had a game night. They love games but rarely had an evening off to come and play with us. Here Sister Russell and Sister Shaner are cracking up over a funny story that Elder Gottfredson is telling!
Elder Gottfredson always has something funny to tell us.
We're playing crud with Rook Cards and I think President Carlos was winning.
On Sunday Nights we always gather for a meeting and time to share the ups and downs of their week. On the Sunday before they left, President cooked his famous Chicken Cacciatore, Sister Shaner made her delicious break sticks, we had salad, broccoli and Sister Laker's scrumptious coconut cream pie. No wonder we can't lose weight!
We gathered for our last group picture. This makes me tear up just thinking about it.
We presented the Russells with a book full of photographs from their days here in the mission. Every missionary wrote them a note. Besides working with three branches they served as our apartment couple and knew and loved every missionary.
The dreaded day arrived. Here they are in the airport. That was the only time I ever saw Elder Russell with his jacket on.
We love the Russells and will miss them terribly.
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