Farewell Tommy

Tommy Walker entered the Mexico City MTC on December 17, 2014. He arrived alone in the country after leaving from the St. George airport the day before. All of us thought that he would surely meet up with more missionaries traveling to Mexico either in Salt Lake City where he had a five hour layover or in Atlanta where he had another layover. But no. He was on his own all the way. When he arrived in Mexico City, no one from his district had arrived, so he was companioned temporarily with a group of native Spanish speakers. It was a great start to his adventure.

We will miss Tommy but wouldn't want him any other place!

Pre-farewell Family Time

Tommy & Matthew

Since Tommy was leaving a week before Christmas, we decided to have a gift exchange with him for Family Home Evening before he left. After a hectic week, it was nice to spend time with each other and see each of the kids interact with one another. It was tricky coming up with gifts that Tommy

Tommy leaving rights to his clothes to Spencer

could take with him, but everyone exercised some creativity and came up with some fun and some useful gifts.

Tommy was set apart as a missionary Tuesday, December 16 at 4:00 p.m. by President Almquist. Since his flight was scheduled to depart at 6:00 p.m., we left Pres. Almquist's home and drove straight to the airport.

Jenny and her boys met us at the airport to say good-bye. Tommy was the only missionary leaving from the airport. Tommy was ready to go and even decided he'd had enough of good-byes. He went through security early and started his adventure.

Tommy and Anna

Tommy and Will

Tommy & Greg at the airport