Sister Ripplinger's Mission had to come to an end. She honorably completed her service and was released on August 14, 2013. We aren't sure if any young woman ever loved her mission as much as Heather did. She set a goal and wanted to serve since she was about 12 years old. She prayed and prayed that the Prophet would drop the required age to go, as a sister. Very close to the time she received her mission call, the Prophet, President Monson, announced in General Conference, that the age of the young men would drop to 18, and the age of the young women would drop to 19! It was a miracle that stunned the Church, Heather had not been far off in her pleadings. Heather had her 21st birthday in the MTC - she got in there as fast as they would let her, at the time. The young sisters of the Church almost doubled the Lord's missionary force, with the lowered age requirement, and have since contributed greatly to His glorious work.
Above, you see the beautiful group of young single sisters Heather served with, at the end of her mission, with President and Sister Gilliland. Next, you see the group that came home together the same day. Heather was able to gain very close friendships with the adult married couple missionaries, the single sisters and the mission presidency and their wives. Several of the associations she made in Nauvoo and in Roseville will be lifelong,close, best friends.
Sister Heather Ripplinger gave her heart and soul to every day of her mission. She worked hard, loved everyone, lead and taught like Jesus would.
As a family, we treasured the weekly emails and letters, telling us the precious reports on the miracles that were happening every day in Nauvoo- the Beautiful, and in Roseville, California during those six months of winter. How honored and blessed we were to have her serve the Lord.
She arrived home to the Idaho Falls airport where many loving family members greeted her.
"Well Done, Thou Good and Faithful Servant"
