The Farewell - 17 April 2016

     Mason spoke in church on Sunday, April 17, 2016.  He had several people from work (he had been working at a daycare in Concord), Foothill High School, and friends from BYU-I (10 guys from out of town came) attend.  Mason did a great job.  It was a very emotional time for him and he said later he had wished he had been able to share more of his testimony and things he had planned, but he was overwhelmed at all the love and support they had all given him.  It was great to see them all.  The chapel was over flowing.

It was a busy week leading up to his farewell with everyone wanting to say good bye.  He had many outings, dinners and lunch dates.  When ever possible, we would go through the check list and sign things off and make sure he was packed and ready to go.  

Kara, Kyoshi and Ellis came out for his farewell, but Travis, Alyssa and Kyle were not able to make it as they were having finals that week.  When Mason was set apart as a Full-Time missionary by the Stake Presidency, we face timed with them so they were able to be a part of that special time.  It was nice being able to share that time with them even though they could not physically be there.  At 5:00pm he was officially set apart as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints by Pres. Jeremy McFadden of the Pleasanton, California Stake.

This is Stephanie Lee and her husband.  She was Mason's boss at the daycare he worked at. He was very touched that she came to his farewell.  

"The Gang" 

This is a combination of Mason's friends from church, Foothill High School and BYU-I that came to hear him share his testimony and speak in church.

Jonathan Murff is a special friend of Mason's.  He and Mason were "mini missionary" companions at a stake activity.  

Some of the "gang" came to our home after church for lunch and to tell Mason "Good-Bye" one final time.

Jacob "Jake" Paul and Mason have had a great bond/friendship since the day we moved to California.  Mason will truly miss him as they go their separate ways for a couple of years.  

Bishop Mark and Jana Paul stopped by for a last hug.  

When Robert "Bill" Wentworth was baptized at the age of 90, Mason assisted Steve (Mason's Dad) in the water.  There will always be fond memories and stories of our times with Bill. 

After Mason was set apart, we took some family photos in the front yard.

Kyoshi and I took turns being the photographer.

Uncle "Mas" and Ellis

The Happy Valley Crew

Monday morning, we packed up the last things.

Mason was hoping to take Ellis, his nephew along with him on his mission.  The two of them would have been quite the pair!!  He fit just perfectly in the carry-on.

Mason's last good-bye on Monday before heading to the airport was with his buddy, Gavin Beidleman.  Gavin took his lunch break at school to come see Mason one last time. 

Then it was off to the airport to say "Good-bye" to friends and family in Utah before being dropped off at the MTC on Wednesday.

Thought for the Week: