Our purpose in serving this mission in Missouri has been to invite individuals to "come unto Jesus Christ", as we have worked in the visitor centers, in our congregation, and wherever we have interacted with people. In the process, our lives have been blessed and we have drawn closer to the Savior. At this Easter season, we testify that Christ lives! He is our Lord, Savior, and Redeemer, for whom we are deeply grateful. It has been a privilege and honor to serve Him on this 18-month mission!
Elder and Sister Pyne at the front desk of the Independence Visitor Center, with the painting of Christ in the background.
Kansas City is known for its outstanding BBQ restaurants. Here we are standing in the foyer of Jack Stack's BBQ Restaurant, in the Country Club Plaza of Kansas City. This photo is taken the day prior to Sister Stobbe (in the red skirt) returning home from her mission. We had a enjoyable lunch with Sister Fonua and Sister Stobbe that day.
As we were leaving the restaurant, we were stopped by a family from Des Moines, Iowa, who noticed our name tags. They asked if we were related to the Pynes from Orem, Utah. We replied "yes" and explained that Elder Pyne's father was Samuel Pyne. The father of the family was the son of Anne Pyne, Elder Pyne's cousin, and daughter of his uncle Max Pyne. This family has named two of their sons, Sam and Max. It was such an unexpected delight to meet them as we were leaving and they were entering the restaurant.
Having Chad, Abbi, and Anna Rose visit us in Missouri was a special treat! Here we are in front of the statue of Christ in the Independence Visitor Center.
Chad, Anna Rose, and Abbi, at Preachers Rock in Adam-Ondi-Ahman.
Sister Pyne, Anna Rose, and Elder Pyne at Preachers Rock in Adam-Ondi-Ahman. What a joy to hold little Anna Rose!
After the Cox Family returned home to Alpine, Utah, we were visited by Jerry & Kristine Jensen and Elder Pyne's Aunt LaNon. Jerry is Elder Pyne's cousin, Kristine is Sister Pyne's childhood friend. We introduced Jerry and Kris to each other prior to their marriage, and they now live directly through the back yard of Abbi and Chad in Alpine. At 86 years of age, Aunt LaNon, who lives in Orem, Utah, is doing terrific!
Following the Jensen's visit, our good friends from Eugene, Oregon, Kent and Ludene Hansen, visited for a couple of days. They were on their way to serve an 18-month mission in Alabama. They will be serving in a Young Adult Center connected with the University of Alabama. It was great to spend a couple of days together, talking about old memories, families, and the experience of serving as senior missionaries.
Elder Pyne teaching the history of the early members of the Church in Missouri during the 1830's, to Elder and Sister Hansen.
The Hansen's and Sister Pyne standing in front of Clinton's Soda Fountain, where Harry Truman worked as a young man.
Next to visit us in April was Adam, Jessie, Alec, and Maddy! What a wonderful week we had with them!
Maddy sitting atop the horse in the play area of the Independence Visitor Center.
Adam, Alec, Jessie, Maddy, Sister Pyne, and Elder Pyne.
At the Kansas City Aquarium. Great for kids! We also visited the Kansas City Zoo and the Deanna Rose Farmstead, which were also great for kids.
At Preachers Rock in Adam-Ondi-Ahman.
Adam standing by the Adam-Ondi-Ahman sign. We took a similar photo approximately 12 years ago on a previous trip to Church history sites.
Sister and Elder Mehlin, new senior missionaries at the Independence Visitor Center.
Sister and Elder Kastel, new senior missionaries at the Historic Liberty Jail.
Sister Almodovar (foreground) and Sister Jorgensen, with whom we serve in the Independence 1st Ward. We love serving with the sister missionaries!
The Community of Christ temple, across the street from the Independence Visitor Center, on a cloudy day in Missouri.
An interior view of the spiral top of the Community of Christ temple.
A painting of the Prophet Joseph Smith, inside the Historic Liberty Jail. Joseph Smith, as the Prophet of the Restoration of Christ's Gospel in these latter days, was refined as a person and strengthened as a leader from the unjust afflictions he suffered in the jail at Liberty, Missouri, from December 1, 1838 through April 6, 1839.
