It has been a week of firsts and a week of goodbyes as we took one elder to the airport, attended the temple, had a wonderful dinner at the mission home and enjoyed a video and a testimony meeting with these fine young men.  One of them, Elder Fuller, was in our branch and we had gotten to know him better than the others.  Dinner was chicken pot pie with the best crust I have ever had, a wonderful salad with an apple poppyseed dressing and the lightest, fluffiest, creamiest homemade banana pudding. It was heavenly!  As I was trying hard to be good with all this wonderful food, the mission president came around with the pudding bowl and put more on my plate.  What could I do?  You know what I did!  Oh my!

The elders each bore their testimony, which was very touching, as they all made special reference to how their strength in the gospel had grown so much in the last two years while teaching others about Jesus Christ. When the elders finished the president asked the senior missionaries if we had any words of wisdom to contribute and Sister Putnam shared this, "There are two great days in your life, the day you are born and the day you find out why."  Very profound.





Elder France and I with Elder Fuller who was preparing to go home to Utah the following morning.

Columbia South Carolina Temple
 

On Wednesday we took Elder Burchfield to the airport.  I plugged in the address that I had found online into the GPS in the car, while Doyle spoke the address into his phone to get directions.  We were prepared..until we saw the sign on the freeway that directed us a totally different way.  I made the decision to follow my GPS and off we went further down the freeway and off through downtown, the capitol building, and finally down some side streets that looked nothing like the picture online.  Well, we had found the airport alright...the industrial airport!  Three choices and I took the wrong one!  Thankfully we had lots of time!  While Elder Burchfield directed us out of the area and back to the real airport, he shared lots of Revolutionary and Civil War history.  We found the airport and this one looked like the one I had seen online.  We sent the Elder off for home with 2 full hours before flight time.

Columbia, South Carolina Airport

On a funny note, today Doyle was asked for the second time if he is the new mission president.  I guess he just has that look about him!

We wish everyone a splendid Thanksgiving!  I see many posts on face book regarding the things that people are thankful for...one specific item for each day of the month.  We have so much to thank Heavenly Father for including His Son and His atoning sacrifice for us, our lives and our parents decision to bring us into this world, our families, and countless opportunities to learn and grow. 

Have a great week everyone!  Much love to you all!!