Eighteen months may seem like a long time to be away from home and family, but the Smith's year and a half mission at the Mérida Temple has passed very quickly. In that time Sister Smith has accepted with a smile whatever assignment she was given and even learned all the ordinances in Spanish, while Elder Smith has been a valuable resource in the training of the many new workers that have been called.
To us, they are the kids, our next-door neighbors and our friends Cheryl and Steve. We have shared laughter at Steve's terrific memory for jokes, many evenings of temple stories, trips to learn about Yucatán, and pot luck meals. We admire Cheryl for her courage, and especially continuing to serve after breaking her wrist in January, and Steve for his generosity and tender care of his wife.
Many of their temple friends are shown in the accompanying pictures, taken at their Farewell Party, April 25, 2010, in the Centro Stake Center. Pres. and Sis. Dyer were out of town, Pres. Richards' cold kept him at home, so Gerhard hosted the party
and Bro. Caballero was the master of ceremonies.
with Caballeros
Sis. Richards played for the hymns that seemed to fit the Smiths--"Have I Done Any Good in the World Today?" and "God Be with You till We Meet Again."
We had a short time to pay tributes to the Smiths. Sis. Richards promised them they would be back in a short time, just as the Richards have returned.
The Smiths shared their feelings, and then for a couple of hours the temple workers present took pictures, and shared abrazos and memories.
Jaime Campos and Sister Zamario

Jose and Micaela Perez Victor and Elsa Verlinden

The Celis family, Blanca Dzul, Eury Espinosa and Isabel Villareal

Eury, Carmen Hernández, Landy Dominguez, Marisela Castillo, Rosario Hernandez de Flores and daughter Ana Carolina

Misioneras Flor Soto and Luz Sánchez on each end with Yari Cabañas and daughter Isabel

Sealer and Patriarch, Abel Ordaz, and Valeria

The pam-adero, Gerardo Herrera, wife Rocio and her sister, Lupita Roca

The Can y Pools, parents of two missionaries

Miguel Cetina, who will help with training after Bro. Smith leaves, and his wife

the Acosta family--the assistant recorder and great temple workers
The plentiful refreshments were enjoyed by the invited guests (even though there were no forks for the salad)
as well as the Young Single Adults whose fireside finished about the same time :)

During the next week, the Smiths continued to serve at the temple, while generously giving away items they couldn't take, even after buying a new suitcase. Many temple friends received good clothing, and the next temple missionaries will benefit from many household items they had purchased.


Sister Nieves Saldivar came one last time to clean the apartment. First she cooked a yummy turkey, pasta and vegetable dish. she has shared several recipes of typical home-cooked food.


The next Sunday, May 2, we walked with the Smiths to the bus station to document their last moments in Mérida. Hermano Jorge Ek opened the big gates of the temple parking lot.



Steve and Cheryl had bought their tickets the day before, so there was no need to stand in line. Gerhard took this picture of the GL bus, even after the guard warned him that taking pictures was not allowed for security reasons.


The bus pulled out on 69th street heading west toward Cancún for their flight home on Monday.
Hasta luego, amigos, y que les vayan con Dios.