Farewell Zone Conference; Montgomery

 President Sainsbury asked Elder and Sister Barfuss to bear their testimonies at the end of the conference.  Every one of the missionaries bore a short testimony prior to ours.  The spirit was strong and the veil seemed thin.  Sister Barfuss shared the story about Grandfather LeRoy Fairbanks serving as an old man in the Southern States Mission with Uncle Joe Barfuss as a young man. Rosie found a missionary card cleaning her father's den and called uncle Joe, who remembered him. Aunt Sally sent a photo of them serving together.  This story was told at Blair's mission farewell because we had just learned the details. Rosie could feel her father's presence and asked Blair after the meeting, "Was there any one at your mission farewell that you didn't expect?" Blair's immediate response was, "Grandpa Fairbanks!" When discussing this later, two sisters in law saw Grandpa Fairbank's face just above Blair's as he was speaking!
     Elder Barfuss told about his primary teacher, Sister Wolf challenging them to reading the Book of Mormon for the first time to earn a silver dollar and how it was the beginning of his testimony.  He quoted Paul "I have fought a good fight, I have kept the faith, I have finished my course." Steve thanked the missionaries for the experience of serving with them and all the joy that has come.
     Sister Manwaring, Sister of Sister Sainsbury, was visiting and told of trying to find her ancestor's grave sights. Her plane came late, her brother cancelled going and she was driving along a country road without success. As she passed a man along the roadside, she felt a prompting to turn around and ask for his help.  He was a church member who once a month took a half hour to clean up around two rows of tombstones that were along the side of the road.  This man was a relative, historian who spoke with her for over an hour about these people buried there.  What are the odds of this chance meeting? Sister Manwaring felt so blessed to have this time with the care taker.

Sister Packard and Sister Barfuss sang a duet, "Come Unto Christ" with Sister Sainsbury on piano. 

Elder and Sister Hoopes from Star Valley, serving on the Military base waking up to reveille every morning!! They were driving during a tornado storm and when they arrived at the base, it was in lock down from an active shooter!!

Feeding the Elders one last time in our apartment, double batch of lasagna, favorite candy bars to send with them