23 March 2018 - Friday

23 March 2018 - Friday

Here is a brief update.  Mom and I will report to the Missionary Training Center on Saturday April 14th.  We will be there until Wednesday Morning April 25th.  On Wednesday, April 25th, we will drive directly to Martin's Cove.  It is about a 6 hour drive and we will be officially on our second mission!  There has been a lot of information shared from the Wyoming Mormon Trails Mission office, and we are keeping up with our reading.

I have started my second reading of the 255 page mission handbook just to help me better digest the information.  I am also reading Andrew Olsen's book, "The Price we paid", and have gotten about half way through the 539 page book.  It has been a lot of fascinating reading that helps me better understand the history of this sacred site.  I tried really hard, 10 years ago, as the trek leader for our Rigby 10th ward youth group to understand what took place here.  But this time around, I am not only being refreshed on the history, but also I am appreciating more and more the sacrifices that were made.

16 March 2018 - Friday

16 March 2018 - Friday

I just wanted to post that we were able to spend the day with Hayley on her 12th birthday.  She decided that she wanted to be in the temple on her birthday.  We were excited to be there with her and especially that she wanted to begin her eligibility as a temple recommend holder to attend the temple!  Mom and I are very proud of her!

15 March 2018 - Thursday Mission Prep

15 March 2018 - Thursday

We are continuing our mission preparation with some additional expenses that we feel we need to make.  We are replacing the tires on our CRV and discovered that will cost us about $1,200.  Then we are getting some necessary vaccines from the Public Health Department that will cost us about $180 each.  Our mission prep expense is adding up quickly!  However, we are grateful we have the money to be better prepared with our time away in Wyoming.  

In addition, we had a windshield crack from our trip to Washington this past week.  Fortunately we purchased coverage for such an occasion when we bought the car last January so there will be no charges to replace the windshield.  

Once we return from this mission that we anticipate will be six months, we plan on build on to Ali and Jared's home.  I have put together a drawing of what we want to do.  It will be a separate space from the main house, but it will be connected.  We are excited to see how this will work out when we return in late October.  The only downfall to putting on the addition is if we are asked to stay in Wyoming for the winter and be there next summer.  That would make this an eighteen month mission and we are not opposed to extending.  Here is my drawing;

About a 900 sq ft addition

As of today we are 31 days out from reporting to the MTC.  What a privilege it is to serve a mission and to be able to anticipate our family coming to see us at this sacred and historic site!

13 February 2018 - Preparing for our next mission!

17 February 2018 - Saturday

Our mission call to the Wyoming Mormon Trail Mission was dated February 13, 2018.  We got a call from our mission president, President Lonny Pace on Saturday February 10th stating that we were headed to Martin's Cove as our assignment in the mission.  This is the mission we had hoped for and one that would help us better understand the experiences of the ill-fated handcart comping of Edward Martin and James G. Willie. 

Both mom and I were part of our ward trek in 2008 where I served as the trek leader for about 110 youth and adults.  I had no idea, as a convert to the church, what they went through or even who they were.  It was such a sacred and special experience back in 2008, that we feel it such a blessing to be able to spend at least 6 months there this year.  We report to the MTC on Monday April 16, 2018, and then report to Martin's Cove on Wednesday April 25th.