Chapter 45 - From Institute Student to Missionary

Chapter 45 - FROM INSTITUTE STUDENT TO MISSIONARY

One of our greatest joys is sharing the excitement of seeing our institute students receive mission calls.  Two our very first students fall under this umbrella.  Ammon Autele left for his mission on 2/12/13.  He was called to Australia.  

We not only got to know him, but his family also.  They go to the same ward as us.  His Mom is the Relief Society President, and his Dad is the High Priest Group Leader.  They have a little boy about the same age as our Rhythm and he reminds us so much of him – curly hair and mischief in his eyes.  We love this family so much! 

Jared Iosefa left on 2/25/13 – He was called to serve in the Philippines.    

Jared flew out with Sister Pitoau Sikotilani, one of the missionaries from Western Samoa that we got to pick up when she flew in from Apia and spend the day with until the flight left at 10:30 PM for Hawaii.  They were both on the same flight as Sisters Burton and Wixom and their husbands.  When they got to Hawaii, they missed their connecting flight to Los Angeles.  So Jared called an uncle and he rescued them.  Two stranded missionaries had the chance to attend the Hawaiian Temple together before continuing their flight to the MTC.

Both of these young men have found their way into our hearts.  In fact when they were set apart, Dennis was asked to stand in the circle, and when they bore their testimonies they referred to us as their “grandparents”.  We will miss them so much – but they will be awesome missionaries….