Arrivederci Marc and Tanner!

Our day began with a trip to New Orleans and the sad departure of 2 outstanding grandsons. I'm so very proud of them for the young men that they've become. It's so hard to think that it will be over 2 years before we see Marc again but are thrilled with the new chapter in his life that will begin soon and how it will mold him into the person he will become. And Tanner is not far behind. He anticipates being in the mission field by the end of the year. Wow! Poor Danielle. I know exactly how she is and will be feeling. But as sad as it is to have children leave home for missions, we wouldn't want it any other way. But they're not so serious that we can't have a ton of fun!

The Monday office meeting was postponed until this afternoon because of schedule conflicts. Elder Hansen (not to be confused with Pres. Hansen), who'll be going home in 2 weeks, gave a very tender spiritual thought about charity. Anytime someone uses Moroni 7:45-48 they have my attention, and today was no different. Elder Hansen began with a quote from President Monson who said: "Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved." He tied it into the verses on charity, then shared the example of how Elder White, one of the Assistants, illustrated the very point he was making about loving and caring for him in time of need. Elder White has a very kind and tender soul, so it was easy to see that connection. We'll be sad to see Elder Hansen go home but know he'll return as an even better young man than he was before he came. We haven't had much time to get to know him but enough to recognize some great traits in him, such as humility and gratitude. Hm, those are two of President Hinckley's 6 "B's." I'm thinking that he's also smart, clean, true and faithful, which are the other four.

Elder Fowler and Elder Jacildo--the Zachary Elders