Retirement concert

It was nice to be back and reconnecting with old friends. One such instance was a choir concert. I was contacted and told that Mrs. Moulton was finally retiring at the end of the school year and all of her previous students were asked to surprise her at the last choir concert. 

We got together to practice the song that we would sing to her as a final goodbye and thanks for everything. Mrs. Moulton's daughters were putting it together. They found someone who would be able to contact everyone and set up practises in time for the final concert at the end of May. We were doing the song "For Good" from the musical Wicked. I didn't know a lot of the people there, but again was surprised by who was there that I did know. It was awesome to see all of them that I went to school with.

The night of the concert it was so fun to see everyone again and for probably the last time. We all got seat in the audience and waited till it was time to come up to the stage. When it was finally time, Mrs. Mouton's daughter got up to do a tribute and that was our cue. The look on Mrs. Moulton's face was the best. She instantly had tears in her eyes to see how many students came back to thank her for everything she had done for them as her students.

The song went off without a hitch and to see her face as we sang to her was the best. After the concert was over we all congregated in the foyer to visit. Mrs. Moulton came around and gave hugs and thanks to everyone that was there. Even former teachers she taught with were there. It was a great night and a great way to say how much she meant to each of us.  

Basement

Right before my mission Taycina had graduated high school and really wanted to get out of her grandparents place. She lived with her aunt and uncle for a while, but still wanted to be somewhere else. So as a win win my parents allowed Taycina to move in with us and live in the basement as a roommate. When I left for my mission I think it was perfect, it helped them both out. She had a place to stay and my parents house didn't feel so empty. When I got back from my mission we became roommates again. I'm not sure she liked me taking my room back, but it was nice to be home and still have a roommate. I guess you could say that I got used to living with someone and would oddly miss it. She still had a life of her own and was there on and off like I was, but when we were both home, it was a blast.

Home

My mission was a little bit of everything, but when it was time to come home, I was ready to do so. My family was even able to come and pick me up and I couldn't wait to see them.

At transfers we all met at the church building closest to the mission home. Those that were given new assignments found their new companions and headed out. Those that were left were shuttled to the Mission home. We had one more night in the mission and we'd be staying at the mission home. We had a nice dinner, a little devotional, and a night of reminiscing. In the morning we had our final meal, a special goodbye breakfast with our Mission President and his wife.

When we were all done, everyone helped pack the luggage into the vans to get ready to head to the airport. When everything was packed up, it was time to say goodbye. Everyone loaded up in the van and they headed out. I was left in the mission home with my Mission President's wife while waiting for my family to show up. I sat at the window watching for them to pull up. Then a few minutes after the vans had left I saw them driving down the street. I quickly ran outside to meet them. They pulled over and slowly one by one got out of the vehicles. Not only was it my Mom and Dad, both my siblings and their families, my Grandma Shupe, and to my surprise my friend Taycina. I gave them all hugs and didn't want to let go.

We packed my luggage in the vehicles and hit the road. We headed back to the hotel before heading out for some fun.

We planned on going to Legoland, Disneyland, California Adventure, and the beach. I was so excited not only to see them, but to have some real fun.

After a week of fun it was time to head home and back to reality. We first met with my Stake President so he could officially release me as a missionary, then I had to report to the high council and report back on the highlights while one my mission. Once that was done I had to complete my final assignment for my mission; my homecoming report to my ward. The topic my Bishop gave me was; True conversion through the Prophets and Apostles in Missionary work. I again had a story or poem to lengthen my talk. I then did my best to stay on topic while sharing the experiences from my mission. When I sat down I could finally breath. The last part of serving a mission was done and over with and now on to the next chapter of my life.