Hayden Enters the House of the Lord

What a glorious experience to take our middle son to the "House of the Lord".  We were surrounded by family and friends to welcome him after he made his temple covenants.  It was a surreal moment to sit with Brian, Hunter and Hayden in the Celestial Room and just be still together.  I am so proud of Hayden and the choice that he made to make those covenants and I hope he remembers this special day forever.  I am humbled to be his mom and I am truly grateful for the restored gospel and for the knowledge I have of forever families!

Thank you all who took time out of your very busy lives to share this special day with Hayden and our family.  Words cannot express the joy and love we have for your all for your support to our family. 

Countdown to launch: 26 days, 23 hours, and approximately 9 mins.

Opening the Much Anticipated Call to Serve

We were so eager to receive Hayden's call.  We had a contest for people to make a domestic and international guess on where he was going.  We had it on pretty good authority when the call would be here so we planned to open his call 
Sunday, March 8, 2015. 

With all of his friends and family, some on the phone as well, Hayden opened his call to serve in the Florida Tampa mission.  Hearing Hayden read the words of the letter I felt the sweet spirit of the Lord helping me to excited and happy for him instead of so anxious and full of bittersweet feelings,  I am so proud of him and the choice that he has made to serve the Lord but I will miss him more than he will know.  And an April 15th report date made me very anxious ~ lots to do in a very short amount of time but I know that the Spirit will help us and guide us through it.  

Here is the video of Hayden opening his call - I was hiding behind Brian as he read it.  

Here are some of the pictures from that night:

Hayden finding out where he is spending the next two-years ~ Florida Tampa

Here I am hiding behind Brian as Hayden reads his call

 

Feeling very grateful and happy for Hayden

Our family is so very proud of our newly called Elder

The "brudders" congratulating Hayden

The boy cousins are so excited for Hayden's call

The girl cousins will miss Hayden the most

Uncle Rusty and Aunt Verla's family there to support Hayden

We are very blessed that our boys have such amazing friends - we love you all!

Called To Serve - Florida Tampa Mission

March 3, 2015

Dear Elder May:



You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  You are assigned to labor in the Florida Tampa Mission.  It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of 24 months.

You should report the the Provo Missionary Training Center on Wednesday, April15, 2015.  You will prepare to preach the gospel in the English language...

You have been recommended as one worthy to represent the Lord as a minister of the restored gospel.  You will be an official representative of the Church...

The Lord will reward you for the goodness of your life.  Greater blessing and more happiness than you have yet experienced await you as you humbly and prayerfully serve the Lord in this labor of love among His children.  

Pre-Missionary Pictures

When Hunter was preparing to leave on this mission, we didn't think about taking photos for his missionary application packet and other invites and such.  We did better with Hayden.  About 6 months, in anticipation of these upcoming weeks, we had beautiful pictures of our newly called Elder.

Here are a few of favorites: