After final goodbyes, Grant...I mean Elder Russell, headed through security and out of sight. We went up to the observation deck hoping to catch a glimpse of him one last time as he walked to the plane. As we arrived upstairs we entered the glass enclosure. The boys called to him...he heard us and turned and waved one more time.

We watched as Grant (okay okay, so 19 years of being a mom wins out) walked down the tarmac toward the plane. As he came to the curve to go board he stopped and turned around.


He looked our way and raised both hands in the air to say..."HURRAH FOR ISRAEL". We raised our arms to signal back...Hurrah for Israel! With tears in all of our eyes and joy in our hearts we said one last goodbye.

He will be an awesome missionary. He has waited his whole life for this, prepared for this call, and will serve diligently. I will miss the sound of the piano keys filling our home (I guess listening to his CD will have to do), I will miss his sweet disposition, and his gentle way. The Lord is receiving a wonderful young man to further His work. As Troy put it...Grant will ROCK as a missionary. We agree.

Pictures say a thousand words...ones I cannot express.
Farewell Elder Russell...we will miss you!