THE EXIT INTERVIEW

Maryland Baltimore Mission President Mark Richards

It is difficult to deny that your mission is coming to a close when you get called into the mission president's office for your final interview. Monday morning we had that experience with President Mark Richards who treated us with much kindness as he expressed his sincere appreciation for our service to the Chesapeake Ward and the Maryland Baltimore Mission during the past 18 months. Most missionaries have mixed feelings about going home at the end of their mission call, and we readily admit that we are having similar thoughts and emotions.

Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened.

                                                         - Theodore Suess Geisel

We were told that both President Halsey, the Stake President, and Bishop Fox of the Chesapeake Ward have said that we have made a positive difference while serving as a senior couple here in Baltimore on our mission. With less than a week left until we pack our car and drive home to Greensboro, North Carolina, this is certainly a difficult time for Sister Lindsay and me as we continue to say goodbye to ward members.

       

We have also made many friends among the young elders and sisters as well as with the other senior missionary couples in the Maryland Baltimore Mission during our time here. President Richards also thanked me for the photographs that were taken with my camera during mission activities. Sister Richards has posted many of them on the mission blog and some of these images were included in the recently published 2012 mission yearbook.

And so, we are about to make the transition from teaching missionaries back into our role as Church members supporting missionary work in our family and home ward. But the importance of the message of the restored gospel remains the same, and our testimony of its truthfulness continues.

RAISE YOUR VOICES TO THE LORD

Evan Stephens (1854-1930)

Raise your voices to the Lord,

Ye who here have heard his word.

As we part, his praise proclaim,

Shout thanksgiving to his name.

Shout thanksgiving! Let our song
Still our joy and praise prolong,
Until here we meet again
To renew the glad refrain.

Thomas S. Monson, president of the Church, has counseled all of us to fill our minds with truth, to fill our hearts with love, and to fill our lives with service. Truth is found by searching, studying, and living the revealed Word of God. Peace is found in this troubled world when we lose ourselves in the service of our fellowmen.