The last Sunday.

Sunday, April 6, 2008

The last Sunday before Brad reports to the MTC...

Our family had a sweet experience of the last Sunday family dinner before Brad leaves on his mission. We laughed, as usual. We ate, as usual. And enjoyed each others' company, as usual.

We made all of Brad's favorite homecooked foods. This included Mom's mashed potatoes, gravy, and chicken. Plus corn, fruit & fruit dip, and rolls.

Mom also made her homemade ice cream.

We set Brad's place with "the red plate" (the plate we always used growing up when it was someone's turn to be recognized. This included birthdays, awards, talks in church, etc). He also got a huge goblet to drink from. He was royalty today! After dinner, we gathered around for a Family Home Evening.
After the kids calmed down, we sang the opening song "Called to Serve." This was when the tears started.

We each took a few moments to say some words to Brad.

*Dad: He read from The Ensign from Pres. Monson's talk about Remembering & learning from the past, Preparing for the future, and Living in the Present. He spoke about how sacrifice brings us closer to the Lord, and how he was so thankful he served a mission. He acknowledged the blessings in his life because of serving a mission and bore his testimony of the truth of the Gospel.

*Mom: Mom started by saying how thankful she was for a son who is so excited to serve and has been a good kid all his life. She reminded Brad how he has to write her all the time because it will kill her not being able to know what's going on out there! She'll miss being able to touch Bradley anytime she wants, but is so thankful for his example for Riggs, Jax, & Noah to serve a mission someday.

*Auburn: She spoke about their FHE a few weeks ago where she spoke to her kids about President Hinckley's example of serving a mission. She related his story of receiving the words, "Forget yourself and get to work!" She reminded Brad to forget home and really immerse himself in the mission. Home will be here in 2 years when he gets home. She also thanked him for being an example to Riggs & Jaxen.

*Shalae: Shalae started with a scripture Moroni 8:3 "I am mindful of you always in my prayers, continually praying unto God the Father in the name of his Holy Child, Jesus, that he, through his infinite goodness and grace, will keep you through the endurance of faith on his name to the end." She related this by mentioning how Brad will be praying for the people of Brazil, and he will feel comforted in knowing we are praying for him here at home.

*Suzanne: Suzy started by mentioning how this is all still so weird because she still thinks of Brad as a 12 year old. She is thankful for his example in serving a mission. She reminded Brad how much Ellie will miss him, and how she'll be 6 years old when he gets home! She ended by saying she was so excited to see what he'll be doing and reminded him to write to us a lot so we can put it on his blog to make into a book after 2 years!

*Alisse: I really wanted Brad to remember that he is doing the best thing he can be doing in his life right now. Heavenly Father is so proud of his decision, and is so happy with his life decisions. I reminded Brad to share with the people in Brazil why he loves this church so much, and how happy it makes him and his family back home. If he ever gets discouraged, just remember this is exactly what he is supposed to be doing and where Heavenly Father wants him to be.

*Scott: Scott agreed with Alisse in saying this is the best way he can spend 2 years of his life. He will gain the best experiences and grow so much- which will change the rest of his life for the better. Scott bore his testimony about how he knows our church is true and how he knows Jesus Christ is our Savior who died for us. Scott reminded him that this is such a huge step in his life, and to come to him with any questions or advice anytime.

*Bryan: He began with saying how he has had the opportunity to watch Brad for a long time and see what a great man he has become. He reminded Bradley how blessed he is to have a great family- including a Father who loves the Lord and a wonderful Mom. Bryan asked Brad to pay attention of his feelings before and after he is set apart as a missionary this week. Afterwards he will feel an overwhelming feeling of the Spirit with him. He mentioned how the youth of today are troubled, and yet Brad has become a beacon of light and will be on his mission. He advised Brad to lose himself in the work and that's when he'd find himself. It is the closest to God he'll ever be in his life, and he'll yearn to feel like that throughout the rest of his life. He advised Brad to love the people- eat their food, work his butt off, learn the language- and the people will respect him.

*Riggs: He started by asking if Brad will have a moustache when he gets home! He then said that he really wants to go on a mission like Bradley and wished he was 19 years old right now so he could go with him. He also changed the words to a Hannah Montana song and sang something like, "Nobody's perfect; I'm gonna work it! And be the very best missionary!"

*Jaxen: Jax started by saying he was really wondering how old Brad will be when he gets home. After Mom said 21 years old, Jax was so surprised saying, "21?! Really?!" Auburn mentioned how when Jax sees missionaries outside, he starts to get a bit emotional and says he doesn't want to leave his Mom & Dad for 2 whole years. Mom reminded him how Heavenly Father will bless him so he won't be homesick or sad.

*Ellie repeated the First Article of Faith, as well as the 2nd.

*Noah said the First Article of Faith and also the 4th.

*Roxy repeated what Mom said by saying to Brad, "I love Bradley. I'm proud of Bradley. I love Jesus!" And we were reminded she'd be 4 years old when he got home.

*Brad ended by saying Thank You to everyone, that he'll miss us, but is so, so excited to go.

We ended the Home Evening with the song, "God be with you Till We Meet Again" which was pretty emotional. These words really stuck out to me, "When life's perils thick confound you, Put His arms unfailing round you. God be with you till we meet again." The Spirit let me know Bradley was going to be just fine, as long as he remembers to stay close to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.



It was a special night for our family. We are now counting down the "lasts" of everything. This was the last Sunday. Only 2 more days to go...