Missionary Examples

In the past few months our kids have been able to say goodbye for now to two of their cousins who left to serve missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I didn't understand the importance for our children to go to their talks, see them leave, and hear about their letters and missions at first, but Andy had a different idea. He commented to me that seeing their cousins serve would help our kids, especially Wynn, start to look forward to serving a mission as well. 

Before the first cousin, Devin, left a few years ago our kids did not understand what a missionary did. When we asked them what missionaries do, their response was "eat our dinner..." since we regularly have them over to share dinner with our family. Going to see their farewell or homecoming was all about a play date with their cousins rather than the missionary who was leaving/returning. Now they understand and are excited to hear about where their cousins are serving and what is happening in their missions. It has been a joy to see them start to pray for their cousins and their success as they teach people about the gospel of Christ. Wynn is excited now and talks about when he serves his mission and what he hopes to do. He is definitely aware now of what it is and that its something he is looking forward to doing.

 I am so grateful for these young family members of ours who are willing to sacrifice years of their lives in the service of the Lord and for Andy's inspiration to make an effort to take our kids to hear them speak, share their letters, and talk to them about their cousin's missions so they can start to set their own mission goals now. When we heard Elder Huntsman speak a few weeks back the spirit was so sweet and strong; my testimony was strengthened just in hearing his words. We look forward to hearing more about their success and growth in the coming months while they are serving the Lord.

Sister Kamilyn Wright is serving in the Birmingham, Alabama mission.

Elder Derek Huntsman is serving in the Taichung, Taiwan mission. 

A busy, busy fall week!

 Last Monday we had a really fun night with the elders over for dinner and carved pumpkins. If you'll notice Andy as usual found a more efficient method and carved his with a skilsaw. The elders were such a help for me in preparing my talk and I was super grateful for that. We always enjoy having them in our home because they bring a special spirit and reminder to keep sharing the gospel with others.

Then this week we got to keep celebrating fall by having our ward Halloween party and visiting the pumpkin patch several different times with the kid's school classes. We are definitely in no shortage of pumpkins around here since we gathered some from the Huntsman's patch and then each kid got one from the different pumpkin patch field trips we went on. Abby loved to find the littlest one and declare it hers since it was "tiny like me!"  She is definitely not eager to get big :)

Sydney and her best friends minus one girl :)

Wynn's preschool buddies - Taylor and Yitso... Wynn and Yitso get along so well. He really missed seeing him over the summer when Yitso was away with his grandparents.

Wynn's other buddy Travis... he has finally found so boys that he gets along with really well and has a lot of fun with. I'm so happy for him to have found his niche and not be always trying to be third wheel with Sydney and her friends!