Gramma and her favorite girls!

Saying good-bye ...by Evone

Last week we said our "good-byes" to Jaclyn, Brian and Brekan at the airport.  We made it quick and acted like it was any other good-bye.  Jaclyn was very brave!  Last night we went to Rich and Jeana's house to see them for the last time before we leave.  The boys were very nonchalant, but Libby was very snuggly and when she walked us to the car for the last hug, she had to wipe away a few tears.  She tried to be so brave, and I too got a little choked up.  I'm so glad that senior missionaries can call home and Skype with families.  Otherwise I don't think I could bear the separation.  We are starting to pack the suitcases......

Evone and her Spanish tutor Adam Vuinovic

Richard and his Spanish Tutor Gustavo Barrios (Native Chileno)

The Pope clan on July 5, 2013

Evone and I just returned from Provo, Utah where we had a wonderful family reunion with our children, spouses and grand children.  Went to Lagoon, 7 Peaks Water Park, Jump On It (a wonderful trampoline fun center), 4th of July parade and fireworks, and lots of eating.  While there we received word that our Mission assignment was changed from Rancaqua to Santiago (working in the Perpetual Education Fund Center for Chile).  We are so excited to get there.

While in Provo, we did two days of Spanish Immersion classes at the Mission Training Center with our tutors and others.  8 hours a day of nothing but Spanish.  They were wonderful, and needless to say, we were both exhausted, but felt that our grasp of the language was definitely improved.  We leave for the MTC a week from tomorrow (July 19, and enter the Mission Training Center on Monday the 22nd.  Look out Chile, we are on our way!!