Saying Goodbye is Hard!

This month we had to say goodbye to some wonderful missionaries, Elder and Sister Simmons who were ITEP missionaries from Rigby, Idaho.  They have been serving in Vava'u at Sioni Ha High School working with the teachers.  The other couple was our neighbors that we became very close to.  They are Elder and Sister Wood from Huntsville, Utah.  They were ITEP Missionaries here in Tongatapu.  They were the life of the party here and made everyone feel very welcome.  They were our companions in all our snorkeling days as well as other activities. We had one last beach day and then on Monday we headed to the airport to send them off.  Here are some last pictures we had of them. Even though they are gone, we know where they live, which is not far from us, so we will be seeing each other again!

This is our last beach day with the Woods and Simmons, it was a beautiful day.  Elder Murdock is trying to act like, a Tongan by shading his head with a towel holding it in his teeth!  Standing - Elders Simmons, Johns, Sister Simmons, Elder Wolfgram and Elder Van Den Akker.  Sitting - Sister Johns, Sister Burbank, Sister Wood, Elder Wood, Elder Murdock, Elder Holbrook, and Sister Deakin.

Sister Wood heading out for one last time of snorkeling!

Here we are on at the airport on October 5, 2015 to see these two wonderful couples off.  This is Elder and Sister Simmons.

This is a group of young Elders heading home as well.  Elder Wood is a singer, so he had them break into a song of "God be With You Till We Meet Again".  It was very moving!

After they checked in we had some time to spend visiting. This Elder Murdock, Sister Wood, Sister Holbrook, Elder Wood, Elder and Sister Deakin.

One final goodbye from Elder and Sister Simmons.

And a final goodbye to Elder and Sister Wood!

Elder and Sister Wood stopped on the tarmac and waved one final goodbye!

"Good people influence your life and help in molding your own personality and character and help you to mingle out in society and live the way that you should live.  They help you carry on worthwhile enterprises, and they lift you onto a higher plane."   David B. Haight