Packing

How does one go about packing for two years?

I have to admit, I kept having this nagging feeling that we are forgetting something.

(I hate that feeling!)

One comforting feeling is that he is going to the MTC just across town before he heads to Panama so if we did forget something, it would be easy to get it to him.

I can't believe it all fit into two suitcases and a carry-on 

with room to spare! 

We started laying things out on the table and it multiplied to double what you see!  (Except the True Jackson VP book.  Those are Emma's. :)  )

White shirts washed and ironed.

Getting the suit cases ready.

Yeah, we got a little crazy towards the end of the evening!

Family Sunday Get-together

After Scott's talk in Sacrament Meeting, he said his goodbye's to friends at the church then he came home to a family get-together.

Just about everyone in his extended families were there so it was a good time to visit with them.

Without his family, it would have been difficult to go on his mission. 

 Their love and support was incredible and we are so thankful for all they have done for him!

Scott when he got to the house after Sacrament Meeting.  It was a difficult day for him.  It was all becoming "real" to him once he said goodbye to his friends.  He was excited to serve a mission but sad to have to say goodbye. 

Emma.  :)

Afterwards we finally managed to get a family picture.  Emma and Max had already changed and Emma doesn't look too happy!

"Farewell" Talk

Scott gave his "farewell" talk in church on Father's Day  -- June 17th.

He asked Bishop Purcell to speak with him and the Bishopric asked Soli Purcell Jr. to be the youth speaker.

  All the talks were perfect!

  It was such a great Sacrament Meeting and the spirit was so strong. 

Listening to Scott give his talk confirmed my thought that he would be a great missionary.

 His personality shined through and he gave an excellent talk on faith.  

The people of Panama are going to be drawn to him because of his strong spirit and fun-loving personality.  Bishop Purcell mentioned in his talk that Scott's smile would draw people to him.  I couldn't agree more! 

 He's going to love the people and

I know the people will love him!

Below is a lot of pictures taken after Sacrament meeting with mostly his friends.  Thank you to Alexis Bosco and Bronte Campbell for the pictures.  (I kinda stole them off their facebook!)

Scott with friends

Scott with his high school girl friends and Allen's thumb covering Cole.

Scott with some of his high school friends.

Scott with some of his SUU friends

Scott and Kyla 

Wahoos a.k.a. Allen, Cole and Scott. Don't ask.

Scott with friend, Bronte

Scott with friend, Alexis 

Scott's Mission Open House

We decided to have an open house for Scott the Saturday before he left that way no one would miss church on Sunday after his talk in Sacrament Meeting.

It was a great opportunity for Scott to spend some time with family, friends, and ward members.

We used the big sign my dad made for Scott and Emma made Panama flag garland for the fence.

We had tons of cookies and treats and it was a lot of fun just having a quiet evening spent with friends and family.

Scott had a lot of friends from SUU and his high school friends come and they stayed late having a great time together.  That was really fun to hear them have so much fun!

Scott visiting with Sister Allen, Lyle Johnson, Lee, and Adam McCune

Ryder, Tisha McCune, Skylar, Cortney, Papa, Grammy, Cristina, Jonathan, Shayde, Emma, Max, Ethan, and Blythe

Scott enjoying himself with some of his friends and Cole, Beth, Jake, Aunt Cristina, and Uncle Jonathan

Scott and some of his friends.  It was pretty funny...the two boys in suits are Cole's friends Bonnie and Calvin.  He told them they could come but it was a formal party so they had to dress up.  They showed up in suits!  I'm sure they'll get Cole back sometime! :)

Missionary Pictures

It's getting close.

Less than two weeks before Scott leaves for the MTC.

It's hard to believe it's almost here.

This week, Scott's cousin Emily took his missionary pictures.

(Thanks Emily!)

Here they are...

And it wouldn't be a photo shoot with Scott without one of these...

Love this guy!!!

Mission Party at Grammy and Papa's House

Grammy and Papa threw Scott a mission party to celebrate his call.

It was fun for the family to get together and talk with Scott about his mission and offer love and support.

We drove up and saw a huge sign set up in their front yard...

Cricket made it and Papa mounted it on plywood.

Grammy, Cricket, and the girls decorated it with Panama flags.

It was so cool!

We visited and then Papa gathered everyone together.

He told everyone how proud he was of Scott and talked about how Scott has been working for a long time preparing to serve his mission.  He wanted everyone to know that it wasn't a decision that Scott made without thought and prayer.  

Scott, then, told everyone how he's really been preparing his whole life for his mission -- especially over the past year.  He's studied the scriptures and challenged all his younger cousins to read the Book of Mormon.  He attended his church meetings and took a missionary preparation class at the Institute.  He studied the Preach My Gospel book with his roommates.  

He had to go to the dentist and doctor and has to get a lot of shots.

He also shared some of the things he will have to bring on his mission.

Scott has been blessed to have family members help him buy a lot of what he will need on his mission like pants, shirts, shoes, etc.  

It takes a lot to send a missionary out and 

we are all grateful to those who have helped with this!

THANK YOU!!!

Thank you Grammy and Papa for getting the family together to honor Scott!

It was a good time!

The Temple

Scott went through the Provo Temple to take out his endowments today.

What an amazing experience to be in the temple 

with one of your children!

We are so very thankful we were able to share this experience with him.

Papa Peterson, Grammy, Nanny, Papa Houghton, Sarah, Cricket, Cristina, Jonathan, and Bishop Purcell were all able to come and share this special day with Scott also.