Farewells

Our Mission officially ended on February 19th when we had exit interviews with President Bertin.

 We had a farewell dinner with the other Senior Couples on Thursday.  Here we are with President and Sister Bertin, the Bremners, the Broadheads, and the Dicksons.  It's been a pleasure and an honor to serve with these brethren and sisters.  We were really lucky to have President and Sister Bertin running the Philippines Quezon City North Mission where we were assigned.  They did an outstanding job and we always felt appreciated and needed.

 

 We were given these cool barbecue aprons at the farewell.

 On the Sunday before last they called us in to have pictures with the Relief Society Sisters.

 Also with the Primary.  We love the little children.

 After Tianna and Doranda arrived we took them around with us to say goodbye with some families.  This is at the Sta. Maria home.  We visited 5 different homes.  We are going to miss everyone.

 Also the Branch had a going away social for us.  They are so appreciative.  It was really really nice of them.

 The Primary children dressed in traditional costumes and did a dance for us.  Then the Young Women, Young Men, and Single Adults also did a dance.  Then they had us sit in front and one by one came up and told us how thankful they were for all we did and how much they were going to miss us.  Then we had food and then a film clip that Chiqui made of us with various members.  We are really going to miss them.  After serving in a Branch for 18 months you really get to loving the people.

 At our last Sacrament meeting they wanted to take lots of pictures with us.  Here's Sister Swift and Tianna and Doranda with a lot of the sisters.

 This picture was taken at the back of the chapel after Sacrament of everyone that was there that day.

 Here were are with Alma, Aiza, Fatima, Erica, and Erin.

 Micalyn taking a selfie with Sister Swift, Tianna and Doranda.

 The Branch Presidency.  Me with President Joven Cruz and the first councilor Gilbert Perez.  I was the Second Councilor.  It was a privilege to work with these two great men.

It's been great being on a mission here in the Philippines serving in the San Ildefonso Branch in the Quezon City North Mission.  We loved it.  We loved the people.  We loved being missionaries.  The members here were so friendly and kind to us we felt right at home.  Sister Swift said she couldn't imagine not going on this mission and having these experiences.  We are thankful to have been able to be missionaries.

 Just recently Nathanael and Mary-Anne had their baby.  Here is little Jonathan Nelson Swift.

Also Joshua and Rebecca had their baby.  Here is little Asher Benjamin Swift.

We are so blessed to have such a great family and two new grandchildren (we now have 23).