Farewell

So my neighbors daughter, Cassie Jo Jenkins gave her mission farewell talk today.  I don't know that we have official farewells any longer.  Maybe we do but they are a lot less than what they used to be.  I remember the productions that they once were with families taking the program with multiple talks, moms weeping, siblings singing and great honor being paid to the missionary to be.  That doesn't happen any longer, well it isn't common.  It may happen somewhere but not something I have personally seen in a long time.  Well, Cassie spoke in Church and she did a fabulous job.  I firmly believe that Cassie will be one of the hardest working missionaries in her mission.  She is a work horse.  She was an employee of mine for over a year and was one of the best I have had.  I like to say that her job interview was the day she came with her family and helped me move from the house next door into this one.  Her work ethic is incredible, she gives it her all.  She isn't a really vocal person and I used to tease her about making her hostess so she would have to talk to people, it would be a way of preparing her for the mission field.  Well, she hosted on occasion but I don't think we had a lot to do with her getting prepared for the field.  I believe it is her desire to serve the Lord and her love of the gospel that has helped her to prepare. It is parents who have taught her how to work.  She did stand and deliver today a message of power about the Sabbath Day and things we can do to keep it holy.  She was more animated than I have seen her in the past, she shared powerful testimony and she was filled with the Spirit.  I am excited to hear about her experiences. 

I have always loved the missionaries.  I love to hear their farewell talks and I love to hear their homecoming talks.  I love to hear them speak whilst in the field.  There is a great spirit about them.  I am grateful for the example they have been to me throughout my life.  I am grateful for their examples to my children.  I love that on High Council Sunday in this Stake we have recently returned missionaries speak.  Certainly my hope is that my children are listening and learning and feel the great spirit of missionary work, that they will have desires to serve also.