Texas Fort Worth Mission reunion

About a year ago I committed to throw a mission reunion for those who served in the Texas Fort Worth Mission under my mission president, Ray L. White & his wife, Mary. Last Thursday as Wayne drove me to the airport, my MTC roomie, Leilani called to say that our flight had been cancelled. It was the last flight of the day, so we picked up Leilani & headed to Logan airport to sort out travel plans. At the terminal, Wayne asked if we wanted him to park and come in or what.... I said, "Honey, if there's one thing I've learned from the Amazing Race it's that you NEVER let your cab driver leave you stranded. You're coming in with us!" Friday a.m. Leilani and I flew to SLC via Minneapolis and silently laughed, cried & held hands through the worst turbulent flight ever! Crazy traveling and all, it was so, so great catching up with Lei.

Leilani and I arrived at the Halversens at 3pm and the reunion started at 6:30. It was a super busy 3.5 hours, but Cherie and Juli came early and Leilani's husband, Greg was there to pitch in. The Halversens had an oven full of briskets....oh my, it smelled SO good! I'm thankful for all who came to our aid and made this reunion a success.

At 6:30, the Whites arrived and it was amazing seeing them after so many years. Mary and I hugged and teared up. I love the Whites!

About 20+ missionaries and their spouses showed up. We visited, ate, visited, and visited some more. We gathered in the living room to hear the Whites talk about their 4 temple missions since our Texas Fort Worth Mission. They offered words of encouragement. I loved it when Pres. said, "I don't have to ask how you are doing, I can see it in your faces and countenances." Brad suggested that we all introduce ourselves and that turned into a testimony meeting filled with the Spirit of gratitude and love. I will never forget some of the things shared and how I felt. Afterward, we had dessert and visited some more. People lingered and mingled until about 10pm. It was hard to say good-bye, but that didn't happen before President White asked if we could do this again next year. It's on the calendar!

Left to Right: Mary White, me, Heidi, Karen, Cherie, Juli, Leilani, Kristen & Pres. White

I was reminded of Alma 17: 1-5, 10

I've applied it to my reunion weekend.....

1 And now it came to pass that as Rebecca & Leilani were journeying from the land of Boston westward, away to the land of Utah, behold, to their delight, they met with Cherie, Heidi, Juli, Pres & Sis. White, and friends from the TFWM.

2 Now these friends were with Rebecca while she served for 18 difficult, wonderful months sharing the gospel of Christ in Texas; therefore Rebecca did rejoice exceedingly to see her sisters & brethren; and what added more to her joy, they were still her sisters and brethren in the Lord; yea, and they had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth; for they were women & men of a sound understanding and they had searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God.

3 But this is not all; they had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with power and authority of God.

4 And they had been teaching the word of God for the space of about 19 years within their families and among their fellow Saints and communities.

5 Now these are the circumstances which attended them in their journeyings, for they had many afflictions; they did suffer much, both in body and in mind, such as childbirth, heartache, financial loss, unemployment, divorce, sickness, family challenges, death of loved ones, fatigue, and also much labor in the spirit.

10 And it came to pass that the Lord did visit them with his Spirit, and said unto them: Be ccomforted. And they were comforted.

Saturday night I met Lei, Heidi & Cherie for dinner. We rarely see each other, but it's always easy and amazing catching up when we do reconnect. We stayed for hours talking and learning from each other. I'm not surprised by my friends' lives, but I'm in awe and simply love being with them. Wonderfully wise, supportive, funny, honest, faithful, and courageous {in a word, inspiring} friends are the VERY best. I'll forever be grateful that our paths crossed in TX nearly 20 years ago. I couldn't have asked for a better reunion!