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Thursday, October 31, 2013

Two Big Days

BIG DAY #1
October 29, 2013
Going to the temple… 

What a wonderful place the temple is, it is a very sacred place that can bring much happiness and peace.  It was a great honor to be able to go with Cameron and attend with him for his first time through.

Jordan River Temple in South Jordan Utah
Did you know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has 141 operating temples world wide at this time?





Cameron's signature jumping photo!

You can learn more about LDS Temples, why we have them and what we do in them by going to www.lds.org/church/temples

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BIG DAY #2
October 30, 2013
Drop off day…the final goodbye.

Grandma Janet, Cameron, Aunt Jennifer and Great Grandpa Astle

Hugging his Great Grandpa goodbye.

Headed down to Provo to the missionary training center (MTC).


Quick visit with Bryan Fowler.

Our last photo in front of the Provo temple before we took him into the MTC and dropped him off.  I wish now that I would have gotten a photo of him walking off with ALL of the missionaries.  It was quite a site to see.  Pretty awesome actually.   

Now what? We wait for letter/e-mails to arrive to hear how and what he is doing.  (Jeopardy music.) 


"The doctrinal basis of missionary work is the word of God, revealed in every age, that man cannot be saved in the celestial kingdom without the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ and that the only way to lay claim to the merits of that Atonement is to follow the command of its author: “Repent, and be baptized every one of you” (Acts 2:38). We are called to assist in this great effort." - Elder Dallin H. Oaks


Friday, October 25, 2013

The Long Goodbye

I think we now know the meaning of a "long goodbye".  We started out with Cameron speaking in church on October 13, 2013 and a mini farewel after church.

A week later we had our "Last Day In Arkansas for Two Years" open house on Oct 20, 2013
It was quite and emotional day saying goodbye to friends.  I should have taken more photos but my eyes were to wet to see through a lens.  

On our way to Utah we stopped in Thorton Colorado to visit Daniel and Jen (Aunt and Uncle) and kids (cousins).  They made us breakfast and we were able to have a nice visit.   It was really good to be able to see them and the kids, especially in their new home.


Once we arrived in Utah we had several lunch dates with more family and friends.  I don't think we ate lunch one time at my mom's house.  


Then came the "See You In Two Years" open house, Oct 25, 2013.  Lots of good food and laughs.  


Thanks to everyone who came to say goodbye and support Cameron.  We know not everyone that wanted to come could make it and we know of your love and support as well.  Thank you!  

I will say that long goodbyes are pretty exhausting.  Shweew!  


Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Let the Panic Begin




TIME FLIES


The time left before my mission is seriously dwindling into nothing and I feel like I have so much left to do! I have a grand total of 12 days left in Arkansas and 21 until I report to the Missionary Training Center.

As far as buying things go, I'm pretty close to being done. Most of the things I have left are little miscellaneous and easy to forget. It's kind of crazy how much tighter I have become with money. Every dollar saved gives me a feeling of accomplishment! 

Spiritually I feel like I am ready to preach the gospel! I have completed Temple Prep and have my interview with the Stake President tonight. I am so excited to go through the temple! I had the opportunity to go out to Utah for a cousin's wedding and even though I didn't go in the temple,  I could still feel the spirit's presence very strongly. 

I have been studying the Book of Mormon like crazy too! Right now I am in the book of Mosiah where King Benjamin is addressing the people. I had forgotten how eloquently King Benjamin speaks. His message outlines how fundamental Christ is in our lives--especially when it comes to repentance. I just love it! It is a message of God's love for His children.


"And moreover, I say unto you, that there shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent."
Mosiah 3:17

Preach My Gospel is harder for me to study but I'm trying really hard to considering it contains ALL of the lessons I'm going to teach. Its a great book with great material but sometimes I find it hard to pick up. 

As the time passes by my excitement grows! I CANNOT begin to express how excited I am to serve a mission and be a part of the Lord's work. But it is slowly beginning to register I'm leaving my family for two years. The other day I made the mistake of looking at the hashtag #missionary on Instagram. Needless to say that seeing missionaries hugging their significant others induced a few tears. I don't allow myself to feel too sad  though because I have a knowledge of God's plan. They will be here when I get back and even in the tragic event that they weren't, I know I would see them again.

Even though I have been living for nineteen years, I feel like I am about to begin living my life. I've been preparing to do this for a very long time and it is actually about to happen! I know that without the gospel in my life I would be lost in the ways of the world. It is such a blessing to have been raised in the gospel!

Choose the Right!
--Cameron