Sept 5, 2018

This day was easily one of the hardest of my life.  We got up early to take Ben to the airport.  I didn't realize that Xander wanted me to wake him up so he wasn't with us.  He was really upset that I didn't wake him up and I feel super bad about it. 

We got to the airport early enough to see other missionaries and their families arrive.  I still wasn't all that comfortable about what would happen once he got to Salt Lake so I told him to just follow the Sister missionaries - they usually know what's up.

 Even though Ben look serious here - it was hard for him to say good bye to Max.  They have been best friends forever and Ben's leaving took the biggest toll on Max out of all of us. 

Last pic with the parents.  He walked through security then came back and told us about something funny that had happened.  He was shocked then when he walked back I was crying my eyes out.  It was so hard to watch him leave.  I am so thankful for my friends who texted and came by.  Who listened to me whine.  I am so lucky to have some many awesome women in my corner. 

It was a hard day.  Later Ben told me that the first day in the MTC was so hard for him and he prayed for hours for comfort.  I am so proud of him and his desire to serve a mission.

Sept. 4, 2018

The night before Ben left on his mission he got set apart by Pres. Johansen - our stake president.  Darrel and his kids, Kim, Brian and my mom and dad were all there - along with Evan and Max.  It was a very special blessing and I posted it on Ben's mission blog. 

Afterwards we were able to go out to dinner to Mellow Mushroom for the last time with Ben for 2 years.  I am so thankful that Xander was able to go with us.  It was a special night.  We had to listen to classical music and Ben and Ian slept on the couch that night because Ben had to have a companion with him. 

Temple Trip

Ben, Grandma, Grandpa and I were able to do one final trip to the temple before he left.  What a special day.

Being in the temple with my son brings me so much peace and happiness.  We ended up seeing some of Ben's friends going in to do baptisms as we were leaving.  I am so thankful for his friends.  He was able to go to the temple with friends and do the baptizing with another friend a few days before that.  I love the temple!

Cabin Trip

We had Ben's farewell early because we wanted to make one last cabin trip before he left.  This trip was especially important because Ben was able to go through the temple for JD (Ian's brother who had passed away 4 years prior).  We had done the baptism for JD a while ago, but were waiting so Ben could do the initiatory and session for him.  It was a rainy Saturday morning and Ben and I traveled to the Snowflake temple.  My parents were already there as temple workers.  I was able to do a few initiatories while Ben did JD's.  Before we went my mom and I had a little trouble finding JD's information.  For a hot minute I thought that someone had already done the work for him but they didn't.  We then did a session.  It was awesome.

Later Ben told me that he felt such peace and comfort going through the temple for JD.  It was so hard when he died and Ben was finally able to feel that JD was alright. 

The rest of the trip is a blur.  We were able to spend time as a family enjoying the cabin and nature.  It was awesome.

August 19, 2018

 Today was a truly amazing day.  On Friday Ben was able to go through the temple for the first time.  Isaac Dowdle also went through the temple that day so there were a lot of people from our ward there.  Grandpa Lambson was his escort.  Kim, Brian and I got there early and as the chapel began to fill up I started to become worried because mom (grandma Lambson) and Stacy still hadn't shown up. I kept whispering to Kim about how stressed out I was that they would miss it.  Well, as we were leaving the temple chapel for the endowment room, there was a line of people and mom and Stacy were in the line.  They let them come with us, luckily. The session was packed.  I was able to be in the prayer circle with dad, mom and Ben and it was one of the best feelings ever.  Some of the people who were there were Kim, Brian, Stacy, mom, dad, Bishop Wanlass (sis Wanlass was out of town), the Boles, Bishop and Sis Lewis, The Chases and the Dowdles.  Darrel and Trina couldn't come because it was last minute and they had already planned Rowan's birthday party for that day and time. 

August 19 was Ben's missionary farewell and his grandma's 70th birthday.  Joshua and Rowan also received the Aaronic priesthood this day.  It was the best.  Originally Bro Tolman was supposed to speak with Ben but his uncle died so Bro Ellsworth spoke instead.  I was worried because the day before he helped a friend move and hadn't written his talk.  I kept sending him ideas and even started writing it for him but he didn't use anything I sent. 

Ben spoke about how is preparing to become a righteous husband and father.  He did an amazing job.  Ben mentioned how when his Grandpa Lambson set him apart as an Elder he told him that going on a mission would be second only to taking someone to the temple.  It was a wonderful blessing and Ben gave an amazing talk.  I wish I had a copy of it.  We had Stacy & Paul's family (except for Dallin and Jared), Kim & Brian's family, Darrel and Trina (their kids were with their other grandparents), grandma and grandpa Lambson, Shaya and Sean and Meg's family all attend his farewell.  It was a wonderful day.

Family picture after Ben's farewell

Friends that came to support Ben

Ben with one of his seminary teachers - Bro Patterson

 I wanted to include these 2 pictures.  We had to send in one with his missionary papers.  I love both of these.  He's such a handsome dude.

July 14, 2018

New York to Phoenix

I didn't write in my journal on this day so I will try to remember as much as I can.  We left New York today.  Our same driver who picked us up at the airport picked us up to take us back to the airport.  It was nice to do the drive in the daytime and see a lot of NYC.  This is a pic I took of the Empire State building from our car window. 

 We got to the airport relatively early and everything went smoothly.  I don't even really remember the airplane ride home except that we were super excited to go home and see our doggie.  Michael picked us up from the airport. 

Ollie was so happy to see us all!  And we were happy to see him.  It was the trip of a life time but truly there is no place like home!!!