The YM presidency planned a wonderful missionary fireside before the three American families left the branch and Latvia. It was a great meeting. It started off a little interesting with a drunk man walking by the house yelling outside the gate and then coming slightly in the yard. Tanner was patient but firmly escorted him off the property and asked him to leave. He continued yelling in Russian so we didn't understand him, but he finally went away. We quickly sang an opening song and prayer hoping that would keep us safe and the man away from our meeting. ;) It was an easy lesson for the youth (without us lecturing) in why we have the word of wisdom and why it's important to obey that commandment!
Sister Bruner started us off talking about how she knew she wanted to serve a mission and how she prepared. She also discussed some of the highs and lows of a mission. She was followed by Sister Boswell, Elder Edwards, Sister Loo, Elder Wright, Elder Palmer, and Elder Aston.
Here's the power team! They're awesome! They all shared how the knew they needed to serve a mission and how it was being away from home and the blessings they've experienced serving. Despite sharing some of the "lows" of a mission, on the way home when I asked my kids what they thought and if they were excited to serve a mission, they all said, "Yes!" They didn't seem to be fazed by anything they heard, but were even more excited about their future as a possible missionary! The only concern I heard from Savannah was about learning the language if one was required of them; a natural fear that Bri and I tried to calm on the way home. 
The T family was unable to join us, so we had two American families and the Sencans family along with Bogdans.
Cherylyn made up a nice table of desserts...
which the kids devoured. ;)
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