Gibsons Say Goodbye

Elder Wilburn (aka “Willie”) and Sister Julie Gibson will complete their 18-month member support mission on Grenada on June 28 when they fly home to the arms of friends and family in Alamosa, Colorado.
 
Their mission actually began in the Dominican Republic where they were called to help manage the distribution center  . . . but quickly recognized Spanish was not going to be something they wanted to add to their skill set!   A move to the neighboring West Indies Mission found them on the beautiful island of St. Lucia where they served for a period to ten months, before they were transferred to Grenada.

Sister Gibson calls seeing two sisters from Vieux Forttravel to the temple “an experience we will never forget.  We were not able to go with them, but when Sister Baptist came home her countenance had changed.  She was glowing with the light of Christ.  We were only able to teach the Temple Preparation class and help them fill out the application for financial assistance, but it was a wonderful experience for them – and for us – as they shared their excitement.”

What will they miss most? Like most couples, "what we will miss most is interacting with our brothers and sisters we will probably never see again in this life.  They have been such an example to us as they strive to live the gospel.  They are happy and very humble children of Heavenly Father.  We have grown to love them all. We are also going to miss daily interaction with young elders and sisters who bring such a great spirit and love of the gospel,” notes Sister Gibson.

Their advice to other senior missionaries is “to be flexible and not try to make things work here like they do at home.  You have to just do what works best for the branch, then enjoy the love the members so freely give to the couples,” states Elder Gibson.

The only big plans these hardworking and dedicated missionaries have for their future is “to spend time catching up with our family.  Elder Gibson has several grandsons waiting for Grandpa to take them camping and fishing. I can’t wait to hug and play with my grandchildren, then be there to welcome the newest one arriving in October.”

The Saints in Grenada will surely miss this vibrant couple.  The love and best wishes of those with whom you have served in theWest Indies Mission goes with you!