Family Time Before Reporting

I will be forever grateful that we took some time the last few days before Scott had to report to the MTC for some family time.  

Sunday night after everything calmed down, we went outside to just spend some quiet time together. 

Cole played the guitar, Max played the ukulele, and the kids sang and laughed together.

It was perfect!

I'm grateful for evenings like this!  

Monday evening, we were able to escape up Provo Canyon to Canyon View Park for an uninterrupted evening free of phones, t.v., and people.  We had a great time just being together.

The things these four talk about!  Yeah, Cole's face sums it up!  Hilarious!

We witnessed a miracle...Jake brought his dog, Oskar, and Emma actually walked him AND pet him!  I know, right?  And she even had a smile on her face!

Good times!

Tuesday evening, after Scott was set apart as a full-time missionary, he had to follow missionary rules (he couldn't be alone, no t.v., etc.)  so after dinner (we had Scott's favorites -- chicken casserole and lime yogurt pie) the kids decided to play the Guessing Game.

The first round was Book of Mormon names, then they used Church leaders, and the third round was hymns.  I'm always amazed that children of so many different age groups can get along so well.  They always have fun together.  I love it!

Scott chose a doozy for Jake...In case you can't read it, it says, "Strippling Warrior #1067!"  Good one, Scott!  :)

Wednesday morning, we took our time and had a big breakfast together.  Then we got ready and just enjoyed each other until it was time to leave for the MTC.

Scott polished off the last piece of yogurt pie.

There was a lot of this...

and some of this...

And this was awesome! (I finally got Jake playing the piano and you can even kinda hear him sing! Actually, that might be Cole singing.)

We then packed up the car and headed over to walk around the Provo Temple grounds.

This was a good thing to be able to spend this last bit of time together!

I am so thankful that we were able to relax and spend quiet, uninterrupted time together before actually taking him to the MTC!

Officially a Full-time Missionary

On the evening of Tuesday, June 19th, we (Scott's immediate family and grandparents) met at the Stake Center to set Scott apart as a full-time missionary.  

It was a spiritual and emotional night.  

We are so blessed to have such an amazing Stake Presidency!  They shared a few words with us and explained the importance of full-time missionaries. President Bell told us that the stake has been keeping track of all the full-time missions served in the stake by putting a pin on a big map in the Stake offices.  They've been doing this for about 15 years and Scott is the first missionary in our stake that has been called to Panama.  That was kind of a neat thing. 

Then President Bell, Bishop Allen, Lee, Jake, and Papa Peterson set him apart as a full-time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

It was a beautiful evening!

President Bell, Elder Houghton, and Bishop Allen

One last family picture for two years...

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!!!