Saturday, August 8, 2015

Departure Day--July 7

Tristan--now Anziano Spencer--left early Tuesday morning, July 7, with Tim. We thought we better send him off with his favorite breakfast one last time...








Final good-bye!
After we said our good-byes, Tim and Tristan climbed in the car and Tristan waved, "Hurrah for Israel!" and pumped his fist in the air. Tim later said this was in reference to the movie The Other Side of Heaven, but I personally thought he was channeling his 5th great-grandfather Heber C. Kimball who made the same statement--with the same gesture, as we were recently informed at his home in Nauvoo--as he and Brigham Young left in a wagon to serve a mission when they were both extremely ill. Regardless, we all shouted "Hurrah for Israel" in response through our tears.

After we came back inside, we discovered Tristan had left a gift and letter for each of us in his room. Of course, that made us all cry all the more....

Italia jacket for Gavin.
Italia soccer ball for Caden.
And then, of course, we spent the rest of the day completely shell-shocked as Tim and Tristan sloooooooowly made their way to UT. (Flight extremely delayed in Las Vegas.)


Anziano Spencer using his time wisely in the airport!
A quick stop to say good-bye to the Williams!
Tristan and Tim had dinner with the Spencer clan at Scott and April's (pics apparently lacking), and then headed south. They made a quick stop at BYU and arrived very late to spend the night in Mapleton with Grandma and Grandpa Riding.

A very late-night stop by BYU to say good-bye to Benson and Lindsey.
Just a handshake for Lindsey!
Next post: The Big Day!!!!!




Tristan's Setting Apart and Last Day at Home

Tristan was set apart as a missionary on July 5. 
Look! I'm official! The missionary plaque goes up by the Bishop's office.
President Cannon gave Elder Spencer a beautiful blessing.

Father and son.
So glad the Ridings could join us!

Lots of love and support from the brothers and cousins!
(Emily and Hailey came to say good-bye that afternoon before he got set apart! ;-) No more good-bye hugs after that!)


Tristan had a few more visitors the next day...his last! Josh Waters, Kyle and Kevin, as well as Nidish and Zach.

Kevin
Josh 
He also went to Jamba Juice with another prospective missionary and their faithful weekly mission prep teacher for the past two and 1/2 years...who also happens to be our stake patriarch! What a privilege for Tristan to be able to learn from this spiritual giant, Brother Combs.



Friday, August 7, 2015

Tristan's Farewell Party!


On July 3, we had a farewell bash for Tristan. We were so delighted with all the friends who came to wish him well!
Anziano Spencer


No need to worry we would run out of food!
 Tristan had lots of well-wishers, including:

Henry
Josiah
Iris
Sundra, Scout, and Henry
All his CAC friends!!! 
Friends I don't know....if you see this, comment, and I'll fill in your names!
FMHS Choir friends!
Caden, of course!
Hannah
Kyle--our neighbor from Pasadena Place who Tristan has known since 2nd grade when we first moved here!
More CAC friends.
Max, Heinrich, Nidish, and 
More Caden! ;-) (Sadly, Gavin was still at EFY and had to miss out. We all missed him!)
Emily, Sam, Alyssa, and Amy

Alli and Serena Jones
Emily Bird and Emily Jones
Kyle, Mikaela, Kevin, Emily, and Emily 
Sundra, Henry, Scout, and Rhonda

Love these lifeguard friends from the CAC 
Mikaela
Keri and other friends

It was tough for these lifeguards to say good-bye!
I think it's safe to say we all had a great time and Tristan felt lots of love and support! We're so thankful for all who came to wish him well!