Todd's Mission Reunion

England Bristol Mission Reunion 2011

President Lorenzo Hoopes (currently 97 yrs old)

Mike Boberg & Todd

Derle Pond & Todd

Vaughn Olson & Todd

James York & Todd

Todd & Don Mills

President Hoopes

Olsen, York, Pond, Grigor

The evening of Thursday March 31st, Todd announced that we were going to Utah to attend his mission reunion, his mission president is 97 years old and Todd has always wanted to attend a reunion but something always got in the way. He arranged our airfare (standby - United Airlines) thru Billy's brother, Bernie Dunn. Shelly arranged a rental car at the SLC Airport and Shelly stayed up all night doing laundry and packing - I guess its what she does the night before a trip. We had to be at the airport at 4:30 am for our 5:30 am flight to Chicago. Tyson drove us to the airport. The whole time we were waiting to find out if there was room on the flight - we thought 'if it is meant to be - it will all work out'. We were happy & relieved that we made the flight. In Chicago, we were down on the standby list and were hoping to get to Utah by Friday evening (the mission reunion); we got the last two seat on the flight to Salt Lake City. :) so far so good.

We arrived in Salt Lake City, looking on the beautiful snow topped mountains on a calm spring day. (Love the mountains) After a long wait in the line for the rental car we drove away in a Chevrolet Traverse (they didn't have any small cars & our other option was a minivan). Missionary friends, Mike & Vaughn, met us at the airport and we followed them to Mo's restaurant in Murray; Mike treated us to lunch.  We had a great time visiting, catching up, and enjoyed Rick's magic trick (the sugar packet disappearing act) (Rick is the owner of Mo's & is Vaughn's brother).


We tried to figure out where we were (Sandy? Murray? Pleasant Grove?) - but our GPS was not cooperating so we went to find a 'Best Buy' store to exchange it. After spending a long time on I-10 in rush hour traffic & in Best Buy checking into exchanging the GPS with a comparable model GPS. We got the paper work ready but they didn't have the comparable model GPS. So we headed to Vaughn Olsen's house and met his wife, son & daughter & visited more with Vaughn & Mike. We followed Mike & Vaughn to the mission reunion in a chapel in Pleasant Grove. President Hoopes was in good spirits and told some great stories (pulled muscle / driving at 97 in Utah). We met the a couple at the table where we were sitting. He asked where we were from - when he found out that Shelly was from Raymond Alberta he asked if I knew 'Wayne Dahl' Shelly said yes. It turned out that he is a close friend of Wayne's - they both went to University together in New York & have remained close friends. He called Wayne on his cell phone & Shelly said Hello - it was a little bit awkward (years since the last time Shelly knew Wayne he was 4 yrs old and she was the babysitter for Carol Dahl) he probably didn't know who Shelly was - but she explained the connection (mom was a cousin of his Dad Eugene, & my Dad was a close friend of his Dad, Eugene & Shelly sang in choir directed by Carol).


Each missionary gave an update on their life, bore testimony, etc. Shelly thought it was interesting how some individuals are still trying to prove their 'degree' in the gospel (they listed off their callings, # of children, children's missions, etc.); many individuals (full of humility) have realized they are dependent upon the atonement of Jesus Christ and are grateful for the saving ordinances of the gospel.  So many missionaries expressed their appreciation for the blessing of serving a mission; gaining a testimony; and learning to work hard & set & accomplish goals. They each thanked President Hoopes for his great influence in their lives; many said a mission 'saved' them and continues to bless their families. Many englishman had immigrated to the United States.  Todd enjoyed getting re-aquainted with friends.

 Todd & Elder Maynes