The Zhao Family

2025-06-09 Clayton set apart as Elder Zhao, packing, and departure

It was literally the last day, less than ten hours before he boards his flight for MTC, he's still packing his clothes.

Thankfully he was mostly packed when our Stake President Ure came to our house to officially set him apart as Elder Clayton Zhao, missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints serving in the Hong Kong Cantonese Mission. After a powerful blessing, he gave hugs to mom and dad. We took some photos.

Then Da gave him a late night haircut, then he resumed finishing packing until past midnight.

The next morning at 6:00am his best friend Ben came to our house to say one last goodbye before loading his luggage into the car.

In a very surprised visit, Mrs. Grimann came to the airport to say farewell to Elder Clayton Zhao. He was thoroughly surprised to see her. She gave him a little gift

This is the meticulous letter Mrs. Grimann wrote to Elder Zhao

...and we didn't realized that his missionary tags were mailed to us. So flew to the MTC without his tags. We mailed it back out to him the next day, but we did manage to put our family photo on the back of one tag :)

2025-06-08 Clayton's mission farewell talk and family dinner

This was the last Sunday Clayton last Sacrament worship service before going on his mission Many members come to visit church and listen to his talk. Cayleigh gave the opening prayer, the congregation sang Called to Serve, Da gave his talk, then the youth that knew Clayton and branch choir sang, "I Will Find You My Friend" which was Abbey's most favorite song. Then Abbey gave her talk, afterwards Clayton expressed his feelings of going on a mission. The closing hymn sang, "God Be with You Till We Meet Again". The most touching part of the Sacrament service was when Brennan said the closing prayer was very emotional and powerful. He'll definitely miss his brother.

At night, our family gathered to have one last family meal together before he leaves. We looked at videos of Phoenix and then look at slideshow of Clayton as he was growing up. The cousins gave their one last hug.