Family LOVE

When life gets too busy to document, it's nice when that busyness is due to things you love.  We took a day off of school in January for a weekend road trip to Utah.  Brian's brother moved there this last year, and we are so glad to have family closer.  Their oldest son just returned from his 2 year mission to Brazil.  He is an amazing young man.  He is open and friendly, kind and thoughtful, funny and fun loving.  He is spiritual and has a special light that not all of us have.  He also has no clue how awesome he is.  Jonathan gets it.  Jon has felt a close connection to Ben from the first time they met.  When Ben left for his mission, Jon made us PROMISE we would go where ever they were to welcome him home.  We are so glad we went.

Well ... for the most part.  Ben has always been a 49's fan.  When he realized they were playing a play off game the weekend he got back, we were all warned that football would be part of the plan.  We're not big fans of football ... until this weekend.  Now Jon is HOOKED!  He wants to watch every game and even asked if he could play next year.  We'll see how far that goes. 

This isn't a great picture, but it's the only one we got with everyone all together.  Ben is the 2nd one in the back from the left.  He had so many companions and friends come see him.  It was fun to hear all the Portuguese and feel the love of the reunion of family and friends.  His homecoming talk at church was really good.   He seemed nervous at the beginning, but then he went into "teaching mode" and bore his testimony with ease and sincerity. 

Taylor, the first boy on the left in the back row, is getting set to leave for his mission this summer.  I'm so stinkin' proud of these boys.  So grateful for the example they are giving my kids.  And excited to see what kind of men they become after serving the Lord for 2 years.