E-mail Forword List

If anyone who didn't make it to Ben's farewell would like to get onto the e-mail forward list, you can leave your name and e-mail address in the comments section below and you will be added!

Open House

Ben will be speaking in Sacrament meeting this Sunday, January 31st at 9:00 am. Friends are invited to join us to hear him speak and then return that evening between 6-10 pm for an open house. We look forward to seeing you.

13 Days to Go

Oh man! I can't believe it. Only 13 more days until Ben enters the MTC. He's pretty much prepared physically. We got everything he needs. Emotionally it's starting to hit. The reality of being gone for 2 years. The things he'll miss. Mostly, the thought of loved ones who may not be here when he returns. On the other hand he is starting to get very excited. He's still trying to decide between a morning (right after his talk) open house or and evening one. Anybody who has an opinion, please let us know.

I'm looking forward to the time when I can post Ben's words and not have to do this on my own. Thanks to all of you good friends who have helped him get to where he is today.

Farewell

Ben's farewell will be January 31st at 9:00 am. All are welcome. We will be having an open house for him that same day. Details will follow.

Holidays are over!

Woosh! We made it through the holidays/birthday. It was questionable for a while there. I have been delaying this post waiting for pics, but I'll just add pics later. It was a good Christmas. Ben received such exciting things like bedsheets and a sewing kit. Ok, maybe they're not exciting, but will be useful on his mission. His birthday was slightly better getting snowboarding goggles (he does have 4 weeks of snowboarding left).

He is doing extremely well with both the spiritual and physical preparations. Spiritually, he has been to the temple, continues to teach his primary class and set an all around good example for his siblings and I'm sure his friends. We are having a race to see who can finish the Book of Mormon first. So far I'm winning. He is bearing his testimony more often. Physically, he has started working out again and we have most everything on his list. We even got luggage after the new year.

Just some little tidbits: Ben is taking the time before he leaves to teach his brother and sister how to snowboard. It seems like he's trying to spend more time with his family, which is greatly appreciated. We're all very excited as the day of departure rapidly approaches and a little sad to have his great spirit gone for 2 years. You lucky Pennsylvanians!

The Temple

Saturday, Dec 18th was Ben's big day. He went through the Mt. Timpanogos temple for the first time to receive his own endowment*. He was very excited and ready and willing to take on the extra responsibilities that go along with that. His father was his escort and we had the bishop there as well. It was wonderful meeting him in the chapel after his initiatories were done and even better meeting him in the celestial room. I can only imagine that is what it will be like in heaven, meeting your loved ones as they cross over.

Again we are very proud of Ben and his decisions and obedience. You will probably get tired of hearing what a wonderful young man his is.

*Endowment: A gift from our Heavenly Father. We make covenants (promises) with Him and if we are faithful and obedient He promises us special blessings. We also receive further light and knowledge regarding the gospel. Only worthy adult members of the church can enter the temple and receive these blessings. For more information contact me or go to mormon.org.

Letter from the Mission President

The news this week...Ben received his letter from his mission president. It arrived the same day that he sent out his letter and pictures (as requested in the packet). One of the first things Ben pulled out of the letter was an insert telling the boys to disregard the request for pictures as they will be taking pics on their arrival. Oh well, at least Pres will know Ben's is obedient.

One of the exciting aspects of the letter was the schedule for his day of arrival. The Pres and his wife will pick Ben up from the airport sometime in the afternoon, then have dinner with him then take him back to the mission home where there will be interviews and he will be assigned to a companion. He'll spend the night in the mission home then out to the field the next day.

One of the less exciting aspects of the letter was the assignment of home work. Ben was given an outline of a lesson on the restoration and he needs to fill it out. In other words, prepare a 30-40 minute lesson on the restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ in it's fullness.

He and I are also having a race to read the Book of Mormon before he leaves. So far I'm winning, but I won't tell you how far along we are.