Monroe-Week 6

Well, Elder Phillips is almost ready for Christmas.  His current companion is going home and Justin just found out that he will be staying in Monroe but will be training a new missionary, so I guess that makes him a senior companion. He says he is not sure why the Lord has called him to be a trainer but he is looking forward to the learning experience.  His week has been good and they have met with a lot of less active members....half the ward he says but it is all part of the missionary work.  He is working hard but he says he hasn't seen a ton of success but he knows he is making a difference.  It sounds like he has been busy with the holiday scene.....going caroling, setting up christmas trees, going to parades and musicals.  He did include his miracle for the week...."I was praying on Saturday night and I was asking my Heavenly Father what it is I need to do better, because I know I can be better than this and I was having a tough time with it and then the phone rings and Elder Stevens answered and it was the AP's calling me to tell me taht I would be training and I am not sure if that has anything to do with it but I know that I am training for a reason.  I know that it won't be easy but God calls who he calls for a reason."

Monroe-Week 5

Justin sound great. He will be spending the holiday with a great family by the name of the Wrights in Monroe.  We are going to be able to Skype with him.  He says that they have picked up a new investigator.  He did share with us his miracle for the week.  I am really grateful for the miracles and small things that he shares with us.

 "There is a guy in our ward, he is in his late 40's, he has been on dialysis for like five years or something and he has a young son like 15 and he has a wife that he needs to support.  This man is a saint, he is just so grateful that he is still on this earth and that he is able to stay and support his family.  He has an amazing heart and has taught me so much about life and how to care for others instead of ourselves.  We have given him a couple of blessings since I have been here and the spirit was strong when we gave them, even though I had no idea what I was going to say.

He did say that he is freezing his butt off in Georgia and in his email this week his dad and I will be telling him to buck up since it is about 30 degrees warmer there than here.  We are really looking forward to seeing and talking with him on Sunday.

Monroe -Week 4

Justin has had a good week so far.  He says that they are very busy as missionaries right now.  They have been helping the members alot. They have not have very much success with the referrals that they received a couple of weeks ago but the members are talking to friends and Justin is hopefully that something will come out of that.  We are looking forward to our Christmas Day call from him and because he will be spending it with a family there in Monroe, we will be able to Skype with him.  I am so excited!!  He shared with us his small miracle for the week......a young pastor that we met a few weeks ago showed up after church looking for us. He talked to the bishop and said he wanted to meet with us again and that he wasn't trying to bash but he really felt something.  I know that he felt the spirit...I know it with all my heart, because I felt it too.  It is amazing how the spirit can soften even the hardest hearts."

Merry Christmas from Georgia!!

Missionary Christmas

I belong to a Missionary Mom website with other mom's whose sons and daughters are serving missions.  I received this poem this morning in an email and just wanted to share it with you.

I skipped the sales after Thanksgiving, the thrill just wasn't there.
No pictures taken with Santa Claus, my decorating has no flair.
His presents are shoes, shirts and ties, two suits and socks....No fun.
I've bought him all white clothes because....This year I'm giving Christ my son.

I've spent more time in the Temple, my testimony stirred.
I've re-read November's Ensign, felt strength come from His words.
Our family prays more frequently, my tears are quick to run.
Abraham seems closer because, this year I'm giving Christ my son.

I wonder how those Lamanite mothers, gave their sons to war?
Or how the pioneers chose Zion, their sacrifice was so much more.
My loss will be his presence, I'll miss his smile a ton.
For two years we will pray for him, We're giving Christ our son.

I stare at his face when he's not looking. I memorize his eyes, their shine.
He's always hungered for the part of him that makes his soul divine.
The stories and lessons he always heard, his choice and mine are one.
I'll put my faith in God's hand this year, I'm giving him my son.

Past gift have lost their glitter, I think I finally understand. 
Christ's birth should be celebrated by giving him a hand.
It's because I know Christ lives and reigns that all his packing's done.
My gift has taken years to make, this year I'm giving Christ my son.

I know there's one who understands, the sacrifice I'm making.
Who knows the gift I willingly give, the toll it will be taking.
For He has done it all before, Greater love...there could be none.
For years ago God gave to me His only begotten son.

The hands I washed, the hands I held, the hands I taught to pray;
Now knock on doors to find the ones who will listen to what he'll say.
Because I know Christ needs him, until all the gathering's done,
My gift has taken years to make...This year....I'm giving Christ my son.

I hope and pray that each one of us will go out today looking for opportunities to do as sthe Savior did, and love as He does.  I want to share my testimony with you that I know that the gospel is true and that I know that my Savior lives and loves me.  I know that the work that Justin is engaged in, is the Lord's work and that he is blessing the lives of many in Georgia.  I say these thing in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen

Monroe-Week 3

Justin reports this week that he had a great Thanksgiving.  They had a turkey bowl on Thursday morning as a priesthood body and then he had lunch with the Leach family and dinner with the Wright family.  They have been doing lots of service in the area which he says is great but he wants to teach more so that is their focus.  He says that weather is cooler but it chills ya to the bone.  His miracle for the week was they received 6 referrals from the Gladys Knight that was held in Georgia so he is excited about having more people to visit.  He can't believe that he has been gone almost six months, he says he loves serving the Lord and is grateful for all the love, prayers and support.  He ended his email for the week with his testimony.....I know that Jesus Christ died for us and that if we accept and follow him that we will be saved and make it back to live with our Heavenly Father.  I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and the Bible as well.  And that the Book of Mormon is not inspired of man but it is inspired of God.  I know that Joseph Smith saw Jesus Christ and God in the sacred grove and that the fullness of the gospel was restored through him.  I know that God is aware of us, knows us and wants the best for us and that if we ask him, he will tell us what is best for us.  Ask and ye shall receive.

Monroe-Week 2

 Justin is still serving in Monroe, Georgia.  He said this week that they have had a lot of opportunities to serve others and he loves it, well he loves anything where he can wear normal clothes.  They had found a couple of new people to teach and he says they have been blessed in that area, so far.  He is finding it hard to be obedient in this area since the members are not always obedient to the mission rules but he is doing his best.  He shared his small miracle for the week......"Elder Stevens and I went to visit a family yesterday, so we started walking there and I told him that we wouldn't have enough time to get there and back in time so we go anyway, next thing we know we are walking and turn around and see this guy running at us, he stops and asks us if we are mormon missionaries, we tell him yes, of course so we sit down and talk to him.  He is a youth pastor in the local church, he is like 21 years old and knows the bible, like the back of his hand.  He was super cool and had some great questions.  We gave him a Book of Mormon and set up an appointment for another time.  I haven't had anyone chase us down before, we are usually chasing others down."

It is great to see the growth in Justin and know that he is enjoying his time in service to his Heavenly Father.  He is being blessed and I know that we being blessed because of his willingness to serve the Lord.

Monroe-Week 1

Justin has been transferred to Monroe, Georgia, which is a small town east of Atlanta.  The ward that he has been assigned to covers Walton County.  The sister missionaries in the area cover Loganville and the Elders cover Monroe.  The church is in Between, the city name is actually Between.  He is living in a loft apartment above a frame shop called "The Guilded Lily".  He says it is an old building.  Monroe is very much like downtown Magna.  He is serving with Elder Stevens from Spokane, Washington.  He will only be with Elder Stevens for a while since he will be going home in about six weeks.  He is doing service once a week at a thrift store called, "The Fish".  He is once again in a tough area of the mission and this is what he had to say about that......"there is alot of work to be done here.  There hasn't been alot of success but I know that I am in Monroe for a reason so I am just going to roll up my sleeves and get to work and work my butt off to find those elect who are ready to hear our message."


He included his small miracle for the week though..."we visited some former investigators and we had one that invited us back so we have a new investigator now!"   He was excited about that.  He included some new pictures this week that I thought I would share.  Here they are.....




Elder....Can I just go in for a minute???




Hmmm.....That's sketchy...




Homemade Pizza




The water tower in Monroe



Elder Stevens walking down a super long road, ruined  my perfectly good Sunday.

Our apartment is the top floor.



I want to buy this home and live here after my mission. Just kidding!






Roswell-Week 17

So we heard from Justin this week and I guess the big news for the week is...Justin is being transferred on Wednesday (November 9th) to Monroe, Georgia,  a small town East  of Atlanta.  He will be serving with Elder Stevens.  I don't have a lot of information but I am sure he will update in his email this week.  He says he is going to miss serving with Elder King and serving in Roswell.  He feels like he is leaving home again, I guess that is a good thing, it is the only area he has known but he knows he is going to Monroe for a reason.

He included his small miracle for the week...here it is in his words...."So this week I drove a car for the first time in four months.  It was a mailbu.  I was on exchanges with the zone leaders, don't worry I didn't wreck it, but it was when a nasty rain storm rolled in of course.  I couldn't see anything on the road because it was late at night, Elder Nataren, who goes home this week thought he was going to be killed by a greenie just before he got home...it was scary/fun.  But I know that God protected us on the narrow roads of Georgia during that storm.

I am so grateful that Justin is learning to recoginze the small miracles that our Heavenly Father blesses us with everyday.  It was will be exciting to hear all about his transfer this coming week.

Roswell-Week 16

Justin spent Halloween in Roswell.  As a family we sent him a Halloween package and he had a great time with it. He included some pictures this week.  I happen to mention to Justin that I was struggling at the moment and he gave me this advice and insight....."Mom, we all struggle sometimes.  I've learned out here that sometimes god has to break us down, before he builds us up.  He has done that for me a couple of times, where I just feel like I'm at my lowest possible point and then he lifts me up out of the dark.  He is aware of us, he knows us, he feels our pain, he feels our happiness, and if we lean on him and continue following him everything will work out.  Sometimes he test our faith...but if we endure it, we come out stronger because of it.  Like when Joseph Smith was in Liberty Jail and god told him that everything that he has been going through will be for his good.  I know this gospel is true, and I know that Joseph Smith was called of god, he went through so  much for this gospel....because he knew it was true."  What profound words of wisdom!!  I see such incredible growth in Justin. 

He said the work is really progressing here and the woman that he baptized on the 23rd is doing great.  He believes that they are going to be strong members.  He mentioned that transfer meetings will be on Wednesday (November 2nd).  He included his small miracle for the week....."On Saturday we helped two different people move, it was a ton of work.  But the second person was not a member, the spanish elders were actually helping her move and they called us, so we went over and she was so grateful for us helping her and so while we were moving her, I was talking to her a little bit and starting teaching her on my own.  And it was so powerful, she said that we could come back and that she would try to make it to church next week."  Here are the pictures he sent this week. 

Not really sure what this is....

Justin's pumpkin we sent him

Justin and his pumpkin

A great use for the gel clings we sent him for Halloween!!

You said they would stick anywhere....LOL!!

Happy Halloween!!

A ping pong table in their apartment, I guess??

Roswell-Week 15

Elder Phillips is still serving in the Roswell area and loving it.  He says he is starting to get the hang of being a missionary, it is hard work but the ward supports them alot.  The little kids look up to them and he says it is an amazing feeling.  Justin also had his first baptism last Saturday (October 23) and this is what he had to say about that.....my week has been great, the work is going great.  Our baptism happened on Saturday, it was an amazing service, I have never felt the spirit on my mission as strong as I did when I put her in the water and brought her back out of the water.  She was truly ready to be baptized, she didn't have a single doubt in her mind.  I love serving the Lord and I know that he performs miracles everyday.  Last Saturday as I was getting dressed for the baptism I was praying to my Heavenly Father to help me do the ordinance right so that she could have the best possible experience.  After my prayer, I felt the same...nothing...changed so I took a leap of faith and just went and did it...hoping that God would help me and he did of course and the spirit was so strong.  That is my big miracle for this week.

He included a picture this week of his baptism and we were noticing that his companion is taller than Justin and we thought Justin was tall.

Justin First Baptism-October 23, 2011

Roswell-Week 14

Justin is still serving the Roswell, Georgia area. We received an email from Justin but also received a tape from him as well.  He sounds great.  His baptism that was suppose to happen last weekend did not happen but he is hoping that it will happen this weekend (October 29).  He says he is doing his best and that the Lord is blessing him.  The work is moving forward.  Our hot sauce investigator went to Stake conference with us and they have taught her two lessons so far.  The weather is cool and I love the fall colors.  While they were at Popeye's a lady asked them out of the blue who did Jesus visit in the America's and we shared a little with her and now we are going to stop by to share more.  I think it is just an excuse to go and eat at Popeye's.  I know that God answers our prayers, he does that for me everyday and I am grateful to have the opportunity to serve him for two whole years.

It is so good to know that he is being taken care of there and that he is enjoying himself.  He did include some pictures this week.

Justin eating a habenero (2nd hottest pepper)

Hmmm.....close enough

Roswell-Week 13

Justin stared his email this week with his testimony of the Plan of Salvation and included a special message to his future sister in law, Monica, who has had some struggles lately.  He says his week has been good.  It is getting cooler and wet in Georgia now.  He tells about an experience with the Spanish missionaries......I ate a Jalopenio pepper yesterday with the Spanish Elders, apparently it is the second hottest pepper in the world, yeah...I recommend not eating one.  I drank so much milk after."

"The work is moving forward.  Elder King and I are excited for one of our investigators who is getting baptized on Saturday."  We are very excited for Justin and his companion.  They picked up a new investigator this week.  She is only 16 years old but she is an elect.  They met her in their apartment complex when the traded a Book of Mormon for some hot sauce and now she wants them to come back.  He has experienced Cajun cooking and says he loves southern food.

"Sunday was a tough day and I really missed ya'll (yes he really wrote ya'll) but I know that this is where I need to be and that God has a plan for each and every one of his children.  I am here to help them come back to his fold."

Roswell-Week 12

Michael and I were on vacation last week and so I didn't get a chance to update Justin's blog so I am going to do a two for one this week.

Justin is still serving in Roswell but he is with a new companion.  His name is Elder King and he is from Mesa, Arizona. Justin says the work is moving forward and they are seeing their success. 

"Elder King and I were out street contacting the other day and we ran into this kid whose car broke down...we walked up and started sharing the gospel.  He was Catholic but very open to other ideas.  His dad showed up right after we gave him the Book of Mormon.  His dad climbed in his car and turned the key and it turned right on.  I know that God is in this work.  I know that there are people that Elder King and I need to help come closer to Christ.  This was my small miracle that the Lord blessed us with this week.  I am continuing to do my best and Trust that the Lord will do the rest."

It looks like Justin will be staying in the Roswell area for at least the next six weeks which, is when transfers are again.  We continue to see incredible growth in Justin and are excited to see and hear about all the changes in him.

Roswell-Week 11

We got our weekly email from Justin on Monday and he is doing great.  He says they have been busy and the work is progressing.  Transfers are on Wednesday (September 28) and Justin will be staying in Roswell for at least another six weeks.  He is getting a new companion.  His current companion, Elder Hughes is leaving the area.  He is excited about the change.  I asked him in my email how his bike was holding up and he said great but he also shared that he had a crash on his bike.  He said it was wicked.  Not really something a Mom wants to hear about but I am glad he is okay and the bike is too.  He says he loves the gospel and he is still trying to learn how to teach it. 

One thing about Justin, is he is really good about answering any questions that I ask him in my email.   The weather is good, he got my package...the lemon bars survived the mail, he gets the Ensign every month and he doesn't need anything at the moment.  We look forward to hearing from him every week and knowing that he is doing awesome.

Roswell-Week 10

Okay, so I realized yesterday (Saturday) that I have not updated Justin's blog this week.  I am not sure where my mind was this week.  He is still serving in Roswell and he says the weather is changing now.  It has been cold and wet....not a good combo he says.

So Justin was very excited to hear from us this week that his beloved Utes beat BYU!!  We sent him a picture of Oliver dressed in this BYU outfit.  He looked so cute!  He is excited for General Conference and he says the work is moving forward in his area.  He shared with us that on Sunday he fell back into his old ways and  had one of his famous bad mood Sunday.  He said his whole day was off until Sunday evening after dinner they went and visited a less-active member who needed a blessing.  Justin was the one to give the blessing.  He says as he gave the blessing the spirit just overwhelmed him and he realized that the Lord really is in the work that he has been called to do.  Justin says that even when he is in a bad mood the Lord manages to calm him down and brings his spirit back into his life.  He counts this as one of the small miracles and blessings this week.

It is so exciting to see the changes in Justin as he continues to grow in the gospel and learn to recognize the spirit in his life.

Roswell-Week 9

Justin has been out almost three months now and has been serving in the Roswell, Georgia area for the last nine weeks.  In his email this week he said that he thought he would be staying there until the end of the year.  His companion will be leaving in November to return home and he didn't think the mission president would split them up and leave the area empty.  His small miracle for the week was this...."we met this former investigator who was really cool but the missionaries dropped him because they couldn't get a hold of him, he lost one of his kids a couple of years ago, I'm not sure how they died but he went to temple square and was impressed by what he saw.  Anyway we stopped by and he was willing to meet with us.  I feel like he is one of the elect people we are searching for."

We also got a letter from Justin this week in it he said that he loves missionary work, it makes him happy when he is able to help others in the gospel or just by service.  He knows that he is not baptizing as much as he thought he would but he is helping others to come closer to Christ .  He also said that Mormon.org is going up in Atlanta in October and that he believes that will change missionary work in that area.  In closing this week he bore his testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel.

It sounds like he is doing good and adjusting to missionary life. From his letter I got the impression that he and his companion didn't get along at the beginning but  now they are doing good.  It is so exciting to see the change and growth in Justin through his emails and letters.

Roswell-Week 8

Touch screen Coke Machine

We do service here

Took a picture of myself, while riding my bike in service clothes

Porteguese Elders made my bed for me and left a mint on my pillow

Elders Hughes fixing his bike at the bike shop

Me not fixing my bike at the bike shop

Me sitting on our dryer that burns our clothes, while showing off too much of my legs

It was good to hear from Justin this week and it sounds like he is doing great.  He says he is learning to be a better teacher.  Last week they did exchanges and he was able to work with a different missionary.  He knows that there are people there in his area searching for the gospel and he says he is there to find them and help them come to Christ.  He didn't have a lot to say this week but he did send some pictures.

Roswell-Week 7

I am a little slow getting Justin's blog updated this week but he will be late this week writing due to the holiday so I won't be behind.  He is still in Roswell, Georgia and doing great.  He answers my questions and then fills us in on his week.  He has been trying to share with us a small miracle that he has every week.  So this week this is what he had to say.....I am starting to find my voice here in Georgia.  This week our small miracle was we had an investigator drop us two weeks ago and I had the impression that we needed to visit her on Saturday and we did and she was so grateful that we came back.  The Lord speaks to us, we just need to take the time to listen to him.  I know he is in this work and that he loves each and everyone of us.  In closing, I just want to let you all know that I know that Joseph Smith really saw God the Father and Jesus Christ in the Sacred Grove and that event changed the world and that we need to share that message with everyone we meet because missionary work is being done on both sides of the veil.

I am so glad Justin is finding his voice.  It is one thing that he and I talked about a lot before he left on his mission.

Roswell-Week 6

Mondays are my favorite day of the week.  I look forward to Justin's email.  He is still in Roswell and doing great.

From his email this week he says, "my week was better than last week.  I am working very hard and the success hasn't been showing until Sunday..on Sunday after sacrament meeting we had a young kid he is 15, he wants to join the church, apparently one of his friends is a member and he wants to learn more.  God works in mysterious ways, after that the work seems to be changing and I am figuring out where I need my life to go to keep following Christ.  I feel very blessed to the gospel in my life and my family."  This was his small miracle for the week.  He says he is working hard and serving the Lord in the best way that he can.  He sends his love to everyone.

Roswell-Week 5

It has been a busy week and I am slow getting this updated but I am glad I was busy...not only did we get an email from Justin this week but a letter and a tape came today.  It was awesome to hear his voice and the excitment in it.  He says he is biking about 14 miles or more a day.  He is adjusting to the humidity and loves doing the Lord's work.  This is part of his email he sent this week.


 I'm doing great by the way, the work is going, we had a meeting on saturday with Elder Ballard of the Twelve, just for our mission it was the coolest thing ever, and i think that the Vision of the South is happening..that gives me hope. My week was good, the tiny miracle we had was..we were going to visit some former investigators, and we weren't sure whether we could get into the apartment complex because it is gated, but when we got there the gate was broken and it was being fixed so we walked right in. And visited those people. I'm starting to figure out why i'm here in Roswell..I know that it isn't the easiest area and i'm not the most out spoken missionary, but the lord is filling my mouth as I open it..it is amazing some of the things i say, and how much my attitude has changed about this area.

Roswell-Week 4

We didn't get much from the mission field this week.  Justin says the work is slowing picking up and he is doing good.  He is living in a small apartment, complete with cockroaches he says.  I get the feeling that he may be a little homesick this week.  Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

Roswell-Week 3

No new pictures from the mission field this week, just an update and his testimony of the gospel. He is doing great and he says the work is picking up a little. He says he loves meeting with people who are just ready to receive the gospel they just don't know it yet. He talks about running into this woman on the street who was trying to fix her bike, they were suppose to have an appointment at that time but they cancelled, so they saw her and asked her if she needed nelp. They started talking to her and then about the gospel. They found out she had just moved to Georgia with her boyfriend and they had been looking for a church to attend. He knows that God put them on that street at that very moment to meet with her.

He concluded his email this week with his testimony. Let me share it with you....I know that this is his work and that he is in this work, we wouldn't be able to do what we do without him. I know that this church is true, no matter how many times people yell that Joseph Smith was crazy, I still know that he was called of God and that through him Christ's church has been restored to the earth. I know that God listens to our prayers and that he answers our prayers. It may not be when we want them to be answered but he works in mysterious ways. I know that the Book of Mormon is the true word of God. I know that if we read it with real intent and pray with a sincere heart that we can know for ourselves through the power of the Holy Ghost that it is true. I know that my Savior, Jesus Christ lives and that he suffered for my sins and all the sins of the world and that through his Atonement we can make it back to our Heavenly Father. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Roswell-Week 2

Elder Phillips and Elder Hughes

Justin has been in Roswell for two weeks now.  He said in his email this week that it is the toughest area of the mission and that the work is slow.  He says....Missionary work is hard, but I know that I will be blessed for doing it.  He said that on their way to the library on Monday a storm rolled in and they were soaked, but its all part of the work, he says.  He sends his love to everyone and knows that the Lord wants him in Georgia for a reason...he is just not sure why yet.

First Week in Georgia



New Missionaries with Elder Phillips

  Justin arrived in Atlanta on Tuesday of last week and has been assigned to serve in the Roswell, Georgia stake.  He says the weather is hot and he is in a bike area so he bikes everywhere.  He had to buy new, cheap ties because the ties he has, when he sweats bleed onto his white shirts and he is sweating!!  His new companion is Elder Hughes from St. George, Utah.  He says the people are friendly until they realize that you are LDS and then they are not so friendly.  He said the missionary work is slow in the area so that is going to make the adjustment a little harder for him.  He said in his mission they are assigned to specific wards and he loves his new ward.



President and Sister Wolfert and Elder Phillips



Airport Phone Call

Justin, Elder Rogers (his companion), Elder Hanny and Elder Ball

We received that long awaited phone call from Justin at the airport this morning before he flew to Atlanta.  He called my cell phone and I was able to talk with him for about 30 minutes.  It was tough to say good-bye and I could have talked with him for another 30 minutes.  I think for me this phone call was harder than saying good-bye at the MTC, three weeks ago.  He sounds great and has grown so much.  He says that he has been humbled by the experience.  He served as a zone leader while in the MTC and says it was a great experience.  He was nervous about flying because he has not flown often.  There were 11 missionaries (8 Elders and 3 Sisters) flying with him to the Atlanta North Mission.  He is excited, nervous and a little worried about this new adventure.  He will spend the night in the mission home, have dinner with his mission president and his wife and then tomorrow he will be assigned to his first area and meet his first companion/trainer.  I was worried that his trunk with his bedding would not arrive in time but it was delivered to the mission home this morning.  You can write him at:

Elder Justin Wayne Phillips
Georgia Atlanta North Mission
1150 Cole Drive SW
Lilburn, GA 30047

MTC Letter

We got our first letter from Justin today.  He is doing great and loving the MTC.  His companion is Elder Rogers from Heber City, Utah.  He is learning alot and loves his companion and roommates, He says that the food is amazing but that he misses homecooking.  I think he is lying to us, because I am not the best cook in the world, in fact I am terrible.  I am glad that he is doing so well and is adjusting.


If you want to write to him, he will be in the MTC until July 12, I believe.  His address is:


ELder Justin Wayne Phillips
MTC Mailbox #214
GA-ATLN 0712
2005 N. 900 E.
Provo, UT 84604-1793

Farewell, setting apart and MTC

Justin and his quilt top

The three boys at Copperton Park

Good-bye!!

It was a busy week last week. It was Justin's farewell on Sunday and technically they are not called that anymore it is just easier to say. Justin spoke in sacrament meeting about spiritual prepardedness and did a great job.  You could really feel the spirit there.  Afterwards we held an open house at our house with friends and family.  It was really great to spend time with them and to have Justin visit with them before he leaves.  A wonderful sister in out ward helped me put together a quilt for Justin and we had everyone sign it.  It will be something special for him to have in the mission field.  Justin was set apart as a full time Elder on Tuesday evening at the house by the stake president.  He was given a great blessing that night.  He was promised many things. He was promised that if he was obedient and faithful that he would be protected while he was in Atlanta.  He was promised Hope, kindness and gentleness.  I know that he is going to make a great missionary. So we officially have a missionary in our home, at least for a little while.  We got up early on Wednesday and I fixed Justin's favorite breakfast, bubble bread.  Brandon and Kirsten joined us and we visited.  Finally, the time came to load his luggage and get going.  Michael bought lunch and so we decided to take the boys to Copperton Park, a place where we used to take them with my Mom and Dad when they were young. We drove down to Provo and arrived about 1:15 pm.  We pulled into the MTC where he was met by his host missionary, the one that will get him settled, introduce him to his companion and show him the ropes.  It was a quick good bye and yes I did shed some tears.  I am excited for him but will miss him for the next two years.

18 Days left.....

Just 18 days left and Justin will be leaving for the MTC. His stuff is all bought and just waiting to be packed. I have created this blog so that we can keep everyone who is interested up to date with his mission and his experiences. I am excited and anxious for him. I know that he is going to make a great missionary.