A Farewell to Sister Thomas

It was early in the morning of June 30th when Dan, Tessha, Grace and I got in the car once again and headed to Provo. This was going to be our last day with Grace for 18 months. She was entering the Missionary Training Center for two weeks before flying out to Tampa, Florida. Oh, how we were going to miss her. We could only take comfort in the excitment we felt for her.

We stopped in Orem and picked up a few things she still needed, found a post office and went on to Laura and Mark's place. We had prepared lunch for all of us before they would go with us to the MTC.

Kristi, Haini and their family joined us and Grace opened a few parting gifts. Then we all left for the MTC.

Things have changed since we took Seth there. No longer do we enter the building, take a seat in the large room, listen to how much cereal the missionaries at the MTC consume, nor do we watch the Call To Serve film.

Now we simply drop them off and wave goodbye from our cars. At least that's what they told us we'd do. So, we went to the upper parking lot, parked, got out and took pictures.

We could have walked to the MTC and taken pictures there but Gracie was quite ready to go so we just took a few pictures in the parking lot then got back in the car. We drove down into the MTC drive and followed the kind elderly men waving us this way and that. Before long we saw the bordering sidewalks lined with missionaries, young ones, older ones and lots of couples waving and waiting the help the new, incoming missionaries. I wished I hadn't been driving for I would have loved taking pictures of it all. It was like being welcomed to heaven by angels who were excited for us to be there. I really envyed Gracied right then.

We found our place along the walk and parked the car. She was out and getting her luggage from the truck about as quick as I've ever seen. Sweet elders were right there beside her lifting her bags and asking where she was going on her mission. A quick hug and she was gone. All so fast and sure.

We left the area feeling a little too light in the car. Gracie was gone, but it was all very good. You could spend a lot of time wondering about those mixed feeling during other monumental times in our lives like being born and dying. Good times but sad times, too. Good thing we knew we'd be seeing her again before too long.

Later that afternoon, Dad, Tessha and I went to see a show to kill some time before dropping in for the night at the Sugies. I think we saw "Eclipse" the new Twilight movie. When we came out it was raining lightly and we were glad to have it cool down a bit.

We spent the night with Kristi and Haini's family and early the next morning Tessha drove Dan and I to the Salt Lake Airport. We were on our way to another wonderful summer adventure ~ A trip to Daniel and Dalynn's house and baby Maren's blessing!!!.

The Thomas Family Reunion - 2010

On June 11th, Dan, Alisha and I made our way to SL where Dan had two VA apppointments. Both went well and before long we were connecting up with the Sugies at Burger King on 4th South. It was pretty late when we left SL and headed towards Nampa, ID. where we had a couple of rooms reserved for us. However, that didn't stop us from getting up early and moving on to Tacoma, WA. We were going to our 2nd Thomas Reunion, organized by Elizabeth and James with help from Will and Jenni at Discovery Bay on the Washington Peninsula. We had 3- 3 bedroom condos for a week right on the water front.

We traveled with the Sugies most of the way there and Sitani and Marley took turns riding in our car with us. It was a blast! We stopped in Hermiston, OR. for a little Mexican style dinner and then finished off the trip arriving at Elizabeth and James that night.

The next morning Will picked Seth up at the airport. Jenni, Luke and Jenn, along with Mark and Laura and their families all came over to Elizabeth and James' where we had Anabelle's blessing. She was so beautiful and Mark's blessing was amazing. We are so grateful for righteous Priesthood holders in our family.

After taking pictures and the men changing out of their white shirts, we packed the cars and traveled across the narrows to the peninsula. It was so green and beautiful everywhere. We loved the condos and everyone found a place for themselves. Laura and Mark picked Grace up at the airport on Tuesday and so, we were all there except for Daniel and Dalynn, Mika, Ember and Maren who had to stay in Baltimore. We had a blast spending the rest of the week swimming in the pool, visiting light houses, playing on the beaches, exploring forts,

picking flowers,

going geo-cash treasure hunting

taking lots of wonderful family pictures, enjoying the Olympia National Forest,



seaside coastlines

and towns(Forks, WA. too),

going through an animal retreat,




having a campfire-(campout for some), having family home evening all together again with the added blessing of grandchildren there, finding a magestic family tree,

enjoying a quiet moment alone
kyaking in the bay one morning with Gracie and watching two seals follow us around. We saw three beautiful, huge pink star fish under the water and watched them move around the rocks. And, thanks to Jenni, we had a huge birthday party for all the summer birthdays.

The children all pitched in and bought Dad and I a computerized picture frame for Mother's and Father's Day this year. Then they spent countless hours gathering pictures and downloading them for us to have. We now proudly display a slideshow of all the reunion pictures right in our living room. Some nights I lay there on the couch and watch the pictures as they come and go.

I've only touched on some of the things we did together. Kristi and others have done a great "day by day" blog of the reunion and of course they have other wonderful pictures, too.

What glorious memories with great pictures to remind us of a FANTASTIC THOMAS FAMILY REUNION!! Thank you everyone!!
(All the pictures on this blog are from my camera but Kristi and others have many more pictures on their blogs.)