Farewell to Chris and Ang

 June 2025

It's unreal that these two are really heading to west Africa for three years as mission leaders of the Cote d'Ivoire West mission.  Chris and I became good friends during our teen years. Angelique was my best friend who moved from Odessa when she was starting thirteen or fourteen. We stayed close through letters, phone calls (that cost money per minute back in the day!), and by visiting each other during summer or winter breaks. 

We all staggered our first year at BYU: Chris 1989-90, Ang 90-91 and me 91-92.  Chris and Ang basically fell in love through letters when he was on a missionary in France. Ang and I were roommates the spring term of my freshman year. We then worked as Academy for Girls counselors together June and July of 1992 before they were married in August. We have raised our children together. We've gone on couple vacations and family vacations together. We have served in the same ward together almost our entire adult lives. We've hung out almost every Sunday night since we moved to Odessa in August 2000. It's really hard to imagine life in Odessa without Chris and Angelique in Odessa. They will be fantastic mission leaders, and they will be missed.

Lft-rt, Back row: Thomas Pitt, new French speaking convert Chris helped teach, Grandpa (Steve Vore), Aileen & Alan Pitt, Laurel & David King, John & Shari Martin (Ang's parents), Britney & Adam Bird, Kerry Vore, Hudson Bird, Brian & Erin Gwilliam  On couch: Megan & Adam Vore, Chris holding grandson Noah & Angelique Vore, Holden and baby Olivia Vore & mama Courtney Rogers, Erin, Kaide & Tanner Vore  Front row: Lincoln, Christian & Gracie Vore, Ella & Charlotte Bird & Emerson Pitt

This little family farewell was perfect. Megan and Adam put it together. They had a few decorations and made some yummy French food. Brit and I brought some treats to share as well. We had it on a Sunday night at the Birds for our Sunday night family gathering. Grandpa made sure he had someone to care for Gram so he could attend. My brother Kerry, and his son and family Holden, Courtney & Olivia came for the occasion. They live two blocks away but usually just join in the family gatherings a few times a year. (It's too people-y for Kerry, I think.) Thomas Pitt (cousin) and his daughter Emerson and Laurel (cousin) and David King came from Midland. Probably the most fun/surprising addition was Alan (uncle) and Aileen Pitt driving from Kerville to say goodbye.

Megan & Adam (Adam is Chris and Ang's oldest)

Adam, Adam, Hudson, Tanner & Holden

Thomas, Emerson, Aileen, David, Laurel, Ang

Alan, Chris, friend, Dad

Playroom fun, Hud w/ Noah on his back, Gracie, Kaide, Ella

We did a little ladies farewell lunch the next day at Jason's Deli. Chris and Ang had already gotten together over meals with lots of friends for the past month, so it was a smaller gathering. We had a couple of tables in the back room, and we all had a great time being together one last time.

Some friends had to leave a bit early or came a bit late, but this was most of our group. 

Kara Thompson, Kimberla Payan, Ang, Shari Marten, Taylor Wiest & Britney Bird

Kaide, Erin, Ang & Megan

When we snapped this picture, my mind did a flashback to our early years. I love this girl so much. I remember a cute wood sign I bought as a gift for Ang when we were in college. It was in the shape of a house and had something like this painted on it: In my Father's house there are many mansions. I hope yours is next to mine. 

I think it will be.

Aubrey had to say goodbye a week early because she was heading on a trip with a friend. Aub, who isn't a crier, was quietly sobbing. When we got in the car she said, "They are my second family." 

She did spend tons of time at their house. She and La were best cousins. They had lot of sleepovers, and Aubrey was included several times to join in on their family vacations. Chris has been her home teacher, bishop and stake president. Ang was her seminary teacher for 2.5 years. She loves them and knows they love her.

Chris and Ang were sweet to include Derek & Brinley in a family lunch right before they were set apart. Bryn and Derek were also able to say one final goodbye at a going away party Ang's brother had for them the night before they flew to Cote d'Ivoire.

July 17, 2025 Elder Christofferson and another man set them apart. They were able to include immediate family members to be there. My dad and Ang's brother were also able to attend.

Elder Goury, Jake, Charity, Benjamin, Megan, Adam, Chris, Ang, Erin, Jeff, Lauron, David, Steve (Dad), Joseph, Kate & Elder Christofferson

They had a few days of training in the MTC and now they are off to love and serve in a new land.