Campbell's mission call

Saturday, Jacob returned from a trip out of town. Originally, Campbell had planned
to open his mission call with family and friends last night, after his dad arrived back
home. But a few days ago, Cam mentioned that he had thought about it and he had
decided he wanted to open it together, just as our little family, first. And then to
have all of his friends and our neighbors over so he could share it with them.

 And so that is what we did.

And without sharing things that are just meant for my own heart, I will say
those few minutes, together just as our little family, will be some of my greatest
memories of this earth life. From our kneeling to pray as we began, to watching
our boy open his call, to processing everything about his going to Brazil...it was
just perfect. Beautiful and good and full of so many tears from each of us.

And then to see the support and goodness of his friends and our neighbors who came

Saturday night and cheered and hugged and laughed and cried, was just incredible.

It was a day beyond anything I ever could have imagined. I spent the entire
Sabbath yesterday wondering how I could be so blessed and thanking my
Father in Heaven for the privilege of all that being a missionary momma includes.

So much happiness

Brazil. Porto Alegre. Portuguese. Joy.

It's here

Two nights ago, while reading my scriptures, I read this verse in the book of Mosiah: And moreover, I say unto you, that the time shall come when the knowledge of a Savior shall spread throughout every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. And I haven't been able to stop thinking about it.

I've grown up my entire life knowing about missionaries, watching many close to me serve, making the effort to gain my own testimony of missionary work in order to understand why God allows us the privilege to serve His children and our Savior in such a unique way. And yet, now it is my boy. The child who made me a mother and the young man I would lay my life down for without a moment's hesitation. And in just a few hours, when his dad returns from his latest trip, he will open a letter from the man I know to be the prophet of God on the earth today, calling him to serve in a certain place, at a certain time, in a certain language, to a certain group of people. And what I have been praying for with every part of my heart for the last eighteen and a half years will culminate in that moment. As a set apart missionary of Jesus Christ, Campbell will serve exactly where our Heavenly Father wants him to go.

The time has come when a knowledge of the Savior is spreading throughout every nation, kindred, tongue and people. And my boy will be a part of that missionary army. I can't imagine a mother has ever been more proud of her son than I am right at this moment.

Called to serve Him, heav'nly King of glory, Chosen e'er to witness for his name, Far and wide we tell the Father's story, Far and wide his love proclaim.

Onward, ever onward, as we glory in his name; Onward, ever onward, as we glory in his name;

Forward, pressing forward, as a triumph song we sing. God our strength will be; press forward ever, Called to serve our King.

God is good. I am so profoundly blessed. My boy is going on a mission.

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers

This beautiful girl makes me so happy. I loved watching her be a part of tonight.

The answer is 1858

I was asked to photograph the dress rehearsal tonight for Annie's play that runs
tomorrow and Saturday. And that is pretty much my favorite request anyone could
make. I love me some photos. I've taken around 300 and they just officially started.
Guesses on the number my camera will read in approximately three and a half more hours?

Gracie girl

A little girl's goose apron. Oh my yes.

She went from joyfully wearing her apron, to feverishly
falling asleep, in only three hours. Poor baby girl.

Crazy, sudden fever explained with an ear infection for this little lovely.
After her appointment, I bought her some vanilla cupcake flavored
goldfish out of sympathy. She just tried them a couple of minutes
and told me, "Momma, I love these. They are sugary, but gooder."

Called to serve

We decided to add a new wall decoration
to our home just moments ago. Because we
just found out there is a very good chance that Campbell will receive his mission call this
week. And if not this week, next week for sure. If you feel so inclined, we'd love to have you guess where Campbell might serve (one within the US, one outside the US). I've already added
several guesses to the wall since I took this
picture and it is not only fun to have family
and friends share their thoughts, but it makes
this mom's already emotional heart swell
with gratitude at how many support and
love this incredible boy of ours.

Goblin Valley ~ Part two

Several of these gorgeous photos were taken by my sisters-in-law. They are the best and we loved
being with their families and receiving these amazing reminders afterwards of our time together.

Goblin Valley ~ Part one

Several of these gorgeous photos were taken by my sisters-in-law. They are the best and we loved
being with their families and receiving these amazing reminders afterwards of our time together.

Easter joy

Because of Him, I can always feel hope. Because of Him, I know God loves me.
Because of Him, I can repent. Because of Him, I know heaven is real. Because of Him,
I can be with my family forever. Because of Him, I know where to turn for peace.

Because of Him.

I know it

To the deepest part of my heart, I know Russell M. Nelson
is the prophet of God on the earth today. I know it.

I know it.

I just love him

"Mom, did you see on my certificate it says 2017 and 2018?
Apparently I've been a problem solver for two whole years!"

I'm so incredibly blessed

Campbell meets with our stake president in just over an hour.
Before this day ends, his mission papers will likely be submitted to
Church Headquarters. I could shout for joy and sob at the same time.

This darling boy

Oh good grief, I love this boy. And he apparently loves when I ask him to let me take a picture.
But I couldn't help it. He came home yesterday with a letter sharing that he was selected as
one of only twelve students in the elementary school who qualified to participate in the annual
school district decathlon. He's amazing and I can't wait to watch him compete in a few weeks.

Bonus story: The three youngest keep their toothbrushes in the upstairs bathroom closet.
And when they finish brushing, they walk down the hall and use one of the flossers we have in
our master bath. Two nights ago, I was in my room talking to Campbell and Ben came in and
asked, "Is it okay if I floss?" I told him "yes" and he proceeded to do a perfect version of The Floss
(as in the dance). And maybe you had to be there, but it was hilarious and I laughed long and hard.

Working on our rec room

The drywall has arrived. Wa to the hoo.

Called to serve

Last night, Campbell took the final form needed to be considered as a missionary for our church, to our bishop (the leader of our local congregation). Now he waits to hear from our stake president (the local leader of multiple congregations) about when he should meet with him. It could be a few days, it could be a week or two. When that is finished, Campbell's paperwork will be sent to the headquarters of our church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Once there, his paperwork and this picture attached to his forms, will be brought up on a computer by one of the Twelve Apostles of the Lord. I know with every part of my heart that they are indeed Special Witnesses of Jesus Christ who help to lead and guide His church on the earth. Through prayer and inspiration, that Apostle will call my son as a missionary of the Lord, Jesus Christ and assign him to a specific mission somewhere in the world. It could literally be almost anywhere. There are more than 400 missions in our church.

After I took this picture of Campbell and uploaded it to the computer to make sure it was the right size and looked appropriate for his missionary application, I started to sob. The thought that an Apostle of the Lord will very soon see this exact photo and know where the Savior wants my boy to be and which group of people He wants him to serve, completely overwhelmed me. I will miss him more than I could ever express. But I am so proud of the man he has become, for how he chooses to live his life and Who he has the desire to serve. I do not know of a greater privilege then being this boy's mom and having a front-row seat to his greatness and the blessings the Lord pours out on him. I'm so proud of my soon-to-be missionary boy. And pray everyday for the faith to trust my Heavenly Father and my Savior as I turn him over to Them for the next two years.

I'm raising juvenile deliquents

I just went outside to grab the mail and this sign greeted me on my way back in the front
door. For the record, our doorbell isn't broken. I'll give you one guess as to which of my
children thought this one up. Oh, and now we can add lying to our list of offenses.

Pinewood Derby

It was the Pinewood Derby for this darling boy tonight.
Sure love him and his happy heart and how much he enjoys life.

Books with graphs

One of my favorite things to tease my husband about, is that he reads books with graphs when
it is no longer required of him. But just a few minutes ago, I started a new book and when I turned
the page, I realized I'm starting to become Jacob Allen. Next thing you know, I'll be kind, giving
and wake up early in the morning to exercise. And we can't have that happening now can we?

After all, no one would even recognize me.

Ski trip

With the long weekend, due to a teacher prep day, Campbell went with a friend up to Idaho to spend
some time skiing. And had such a great time. It was strange not to have him around the house and
made his upcoming mission feel a little more real for those few days. I'm so grateful for his choice
of fabulous friends and what good examples they are to him and how much fun they have together.

Gracie girl

She's even adorable when she's super sick.

Not a fan

Dear Utah Weather,
You confuse me.

Witnessing history being made

I've been watching March Madness every single year for 30 years (at least that
I can clearly remember, I may have started earlier). But I honestly never thought
I would see the day that I would witness what I did tonight--a number sixteen seed
beating a number one seed. It was one of the most exciting games I've ever watched
and this girl that loves college basketball something crazy will never forget it.

Side note: I do wish it had been a different first place team. I really like Virginia and that
Tony Bennett is a class act. So it made me a little sad. But I still loved it a lot much.

March Gladness

People, people, people, do you realize what begins today?!

(That was in my screaming font.)

E-I-E-I-O