Allan and Mary Howard

This is Allan and Mary Howard with Jared and Cheryl Willyerd.  Jared is our boss on the paint crew.  He and Cheryl live in Fort Madison.  They are absolutely wonderful people.

Knowing that the Howards were finishing their mission today, Sister Odum and I decided we needed to have a meal with all the people that they work with.

I told Jared what we were planning and he suggested having it at their home.  He talked to Cheryl and it was a go.  The Mensels, Allens, Odums, Carlsons, Flanders, Howards and us all gathered at the Willyerd home.  We had a tour of their very old historic home.  What a beautiful place.  Then we had Indian tacos.  Delicious!

At our last historic site training meeting, the Howards were asked to bear their testimonies.  Sister Howard said she felt sorry for everyone who never had the opportunity to work at FM.  That made me giggle.

On Friday they were each allowed to say some parting words to all the missionaries and FM employees.  Elder Howard expressed how much he has learned about the prophet Joseph Smith.

Sister Howard said what a privilege is has been to work with so many of us.  

They received their FM flag!  She really is excited to go home!

As for us, we will forever be grateful for their love and friendship!  They took us under their wings when we were so new and green.  They took us to church with them every week except for two.  They invited us to do Nauvoo on the Road with them which turns out is a really good thing.  Each of them have taught both of us so many skills that we would not have had if we hadn't worked with them.  They truly have been our "besties" in the mission.  Life here will be so different without them.  We hope to visit them one day either in Wyoming or meet them at a mission reunion or some other event.  Our lives are richer for having had them in our lives for the past 9 months.  We love you and will miss you!