SIX WEEKS OF BIG CHANGES

Well, the past month and a half has certainly been filled with big, and happy changes for our family.  As noted previously, our granddaughter, Orli, was born on June 20th. That was a happy adjustment we learned to make. Prior to, during, and after the time of her birth we also had to prepare for our son's 2-year voluntary mission.  A mission in our church is somewhat like a right-of-passage.  Young men and women cover their own expenses to serve missions throughout the world to invite people to come unto Christ and learn of His Plan of Salvation and the restoration of the Church He organized while upon the earth. The majority of young men and women who serve certainly experience great changes and growth during those two years, the greatest of which is real spiritual maturity and a true and deeper relationship with God that lasts an eternity.

Jonathan received his mission call toward the end of May. On Sunday, May 26th, we held a small open house for him to open his call in front of our closest friends.  He was called to serve in the California-Bakersfield mission and was to report to the MTC (Missionary Training Center) in Provo, UT, on July 24th.  It was a great night, and Jonathan was almost overwhelmed with joy as it "hit" him that he was really doing this! :)

After the call was opened we were able to begin buying all his clothers and needful items. We couldn't do it prior since we didn't know if he'd need summer or winter clothing, as he could have been called to serve anywhere in the world!

Well, he's done preparing, shopping, and even done flying to UT, staying at my sister's and brother-in-law's for the night, (which we are so thankful and happy they were able to do that,) and checking in to the MTC on July 24th (which for us Latter-day Saints is a special day known as "Pioneer Day", the day we remember and celebrate our Latter-day Saint ancestors who paid the ultimate price to travel across the plains of the United States in what has come to been known as the Great American Exodus in 1845-1847.)

Now, here are some pictures to remember this wonderful time in the life of our son!

Close friends that came to support Jonathan . . . .

. . . . So glad they could be here for this special moment!

Here is our Missionary, reading his call!

Our family - missing Nate, who had to work :(

Jeff and Jonathan grew up together since they were 8 yrs old - they both received calls within the same week and report to the MTC the same day - so they flew to UT together and stayed at my sister's that night, then checked in to MTC together the next day. They were actual "Missionary Companions" for 36 hrs - something our families had wished for 11 years and never thought would actually happen!

How can it be that time flew by so quickly?  This boy of ours holds my heart in his hands and forever he will be my little "Lovebug" that I'll love for always and forever: