Crossing the Finish Line & Being Released - The Quinn/Peterson Exchange

*The Petersons and The Quinns - Mission Leaders in CASRM*

A lot of people have asked me how mission leaders are released. Like many Church callings, you are called by inspiration…and released by a calendar on someone’s computer! We did receive a beautiful letter from the First Presidency expressing gratitude for our service. It explained that our release would become effective when the new mission leaders arrived and was to take place before July 1.

*Sister Miller & Quinn working on the office calendar for the Petersons*

This week was filled with tying up loose ends, saying goodbye to our missionaries, and preparing for the arrival of President and Sister Peterson. Goodbyes are never easy, even when they really mean, “See you later.” During our final Miracle Monday, President Quinn and I shared our last mission miracle, and I cried my way through most of it.

*Screen shot from the Millers of the Miracle Monday Zoom call.*

One sweet highlight was a farewell dinner with Hermana Brimhall and her companion, Hermana Proffitt. We even had the chance to FaceTime with Hermana Brimhall’s parents. They will be coming to Santa Rosa this week to pick her up at the end of her mission, and since we won’t still be there, it was a special blessing to visit with them and have some time to brag about their daughter.

*Hermanas Proffitt & Brimhall with the Quinns*

We also prepared the mission home for the Petersons’ arrival and somehow managed to fit too much stuff into just a few suitcases. (I’m convinced missionary packing qualifies as a spiritual gift.) We purchased a new car, which we’ll drive to Utah, leave at our townhouse, then catch a plane to Orlando to meet our moving trucks. After that, we’ll fly to Chicago for our mission report and a long-awaited Quinn family reunion. Apparently, our release comes with a trip around the country.

*Flowers and a gift box for the Petersons - the Mission Home*

Saying goodbye to our missionaries—our “mission babies”—was one of the hardest parts of leaving. They have become family to us. Knowing they will be loved and led by wonderful new mission leaders made those goodbyes a little easier.

We truly sprinted across the finish line. There was a deep sense of peace knowing we had given everything we had and left nothing undone.

We spent Five hours with the Petersons orienting them and showing them around. We had previously zoomed with them about Six times even having them zoom in for a few meetings. The church does a good job of preparing mission leaders from January to July with lots of meetings, podcasts, and mentors. They’re ready and willing!

As we drove away from the California Santa Rosa Mission, one feeling rose above all the others: gratitude. We will never forget the love that was so generously given to us. It changed us forever, and a part of our hearts will always remain in Santa Rosa.❤️❤️

*Driving away looking back to the office staff and missionaries standing outside the office giving us some love!! ❤️*

Wow! Thanks for your endurance in following along on our mission journey. Next week I will post about our homecoming report and family reunion. Have a happy 4th of July weekend! 🇺🇸

More photos from the week:

Crossing the Finish Line & Being Released - The Quinn/Peterson Exchange

Just So You Know… - Tot Zeins!