She's Coming Home December 8th!

4 August 2015

Dear Sister Finch,

We realize that your mission will not be ending for several months, but we need some important information from you as soon as possible so that your travel arrangements can be made well in advance of your release.

First, whether your information has changed or not, please send the name of your current home ward and stake, as well as your parents’ current home address and email address to the office at 2019159@ldschurch.org.

Second, please let us know the city and state and the name of the closest major airport where you would like to arrive, as many cities have more than one airport.

Third, if you wish to be picked up by your parents, we have been asked to have your parents call Church Travel at 801-240-5111 or the Mission Office (34) 91-623-7030. They will share some important information about your travel with your parents.

Fourth, you are scheduled for release on 08 Dec 2015.

The above information is very important. Please send it to us as soon as possible and we will coordinate with Church  Travel. They need to schedule flights at least three months in advance in order to have all arrangements ready when your release date comes. If you do not know this information, please email home this week and ask for it.

Remember that you are entering what can be the most productive time of your mission. You have acquired language and proselyting skills. Do all you can to emulate D&C 4 and serve the Lord with all your heart, might, mind, and strength to the very last day of your mission. May the Lord bless you in this mighty work.

Thank you for your dedicated service,

President Kevin B. PackSpain Madrid Mission

4 August 2015

Dear Parents of Sister Finch,

On 08 Dec 2015, Sister Finch will conclude her missionary service in the Spain Madrid Mission. It is with mixed emotions that we anticipate the release of another of our missionaries, yet we know that the experiences in the mission have prepared her for even greater service when she returns home.

In regard to your daughter's release, the following information will be helpful to you. The Church pays for the return fare of all honorably released missionaries directly from the mission field to their homes. However, when parents travel home with the missionary, the parents are asked to make travel arrangements, pay for them, and will then be reimbursed for the missionary's return trip, up to the amount the Church would have paid had the missionary returned directly home.

About one month before the release date, you will receive the itinerary for the travel arrangements indicating times and flight numbers.

The following information from the Church Handbook of Instructions, “Missionary Service, Release of Full Time Missionaries” page 35, will help to clarify some common questions: “Missionaries should travel directly home from their missions. Any other travel is permitted only when the missionary is accompanied by at least one parent or guardian. If parents request the privilege (of picking up their missionary) they should understand that: Their plans must be based on the release date. They should inform the Mission Secretary or the Church Travel Office at least 3 months in advance, if they plan to travel with their missionary. Missionaries must dress and conduct themselves according to missionary standards during travel from their missions because they are not released until they report to their stake presidents.”

Sister Pack and I would like to express our appreciation for the opportunity of serving with Sister Finch. Our choicest and most memorable experiences have been those shared while working with our missionaries. We have seen the blessings that result from their dedication and service. May the Lord bless you, and may you continue to find joy and satisfaction in your daughter's missionary service.

Warmest regards,
President Kevin B. PackSpain Madrid Mission