Returned Missionary, New Missionary, and Just called Missionary

Chase and I went to Utah last week, it was the 19-20. We went because my dear cousin-brother was leaving on his mission. I took work off for those 2 days and we drove down Tuesday morning in the mustang. I had texted Susan before hand to make sure our visit was welcome and she gave us a time frame to visit with Boyce. He had just driven from Boston with uncle Phillip and was visiting with Susan and the other kids. We stopped in Layton so that I could buy him a tie and a microfiber towel for his mission. We found 2 really sick ties from JC Penny's and I'm happy to say he loved them both. So we finished our drive to Salt Lake and we got to hang out with Boyce, Anders, Summit, Chloe, Jasmine and Susan. It was a very nice time. We played apples to apples and listened to Dido because Boyce wanted to listen to some good music.... DIDO? I love her but I love that Boyce chose to listen to her, haha.

Jasmine is the best dog and I would take one like her ANY day!

Chase and I have had a gift card to The Roof Restaurant on temple square since our anniversary last december. We've been wanting to use it so we left the party and went to do our own dinner date. The Roof is the most romantic restaurant I've been to. There's a pianist who's playing everything lovely from Les Miserables to Beatles to Clair de Lune and everything beautiful. It really sets the mood for a nice dinner. It's buffet so Chase ate everything he wanted like clam chowder, shrimp, salmon, chicken and prime rib. It was all delicious and beautiful. After dinner we met up with the kids again but this time with Phillip and his wife Jen. I hadn't seen Phillip since before my mission but he's been like a dad to me all my life so it was SO great to see him! After a long drive out in the middle of nowhere near Park City we found Boyce's stake president in Oakley, UT. The setting apart was wonderful and I'm so glad we got to be there. We stayed with my Jessie Bobbie which was so fun. She's preparing for her mission call and waiting for the call to get here. The next morning we met up with the family again for a nice breakfast. It was so wonderful and I loved watching Boyce and his nervousness/excitement to enter the MTC. He was counting time his time life like the entire time :). I thought I would let his family send him off to the MTC so they did and I left crying from the Cafe 300 diner. He's such a stud and I love that I've been able to help him at least with example in going on a mission. He's going to do GREAT things! Lyon France!!!

He's wearing one of my ties! :)

Staying with Jess lead for many wonderful mission talks and lots of excitement for her and for Boyce. We were hoping to get her mission call the 20 while we were visiting. So we went swimming to be close to the mailbox and we got out to check the mail several times. Finally one time we checked the mailman was there to say he didn't have it. We were bummed but we got a call from her the next day to hear she's going to Minneapolis, Minnesota! She leaves in November.

Talking with these wonderful missionaries got me thinking to my own mission. The thing that I would change about my mission is the attitude I had during trials. And sadly that's the main thing I think about when I think about my mission. Through talking about it and seeing Boyce enter the MTC and seeing Jess's fear/excitement was SO wonderful. I can honestly say I LOVED my mission. That time in my life was special. I would never change the fact that I went. I'd never change my areas or the people. I gained such a testimony of so many different things. The mission was life changing and beautiful! I'm so excited for 2 of my best friends to go and feel the spirit, follow spiritual promptings and touch lives. I know that this church is true and sacrificing 18mo-24mo is so rewarding and will bless SO many lives. I love them for their sacrifice and service. Such a wonderful and marvelous work.