The big news of this year - Jeremy submitted his papers (actually an online application) for his mission.
Then he received his mission call. On July 3, 2013 he received that big white envelope from the Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-Day Saints. He didn't open it until that evening when we were at his Grandma's house with cousins, aunts and uncles all together.
He is called to the Oregon Eugene Mission and is to report to the Missionary Training Center in Provo on September 11, 2013 - the same day, it turns out, as the other soon to be missionary from our ward - Brandon Morris (who is going to the Oklahoma Tulsa Mission).
His mission boundaries include a little bit of northern California and the corner tip of Nevada, but mostly the south west portion of Oregon.
We have spent the last few months purchasing the things he needs for his mission, planning family get togethers, practicing a musical number for the farewell and packing up his room. Hours and days go by in a seeming blink of an eye.
One of those days whizzing by was the very special day that Jeremy went through the temple for the first time on Saturday, August 31, 2013. We invited family and friends from our ward to attend with us and we had quite the turnout - Pam & Troy, Jen & Neils, his Grandma & Grandpa, aunts Karen & Bebe, and from our Ward - Bishop and Sister Aubrey, Dale & Wendy Winger, Dennis & Katrina Webber, Rachel Tueller, Jess Desmond, Neil Jarman and Brandon Morris. Melissa didn't want to be left out, so she came with us and did baptisms while we were there! What a blessing to have so many people who care about and support Jeremy. It was a very spiritual and peaceful time.
The following Tuesday was our youth night to do baptisms at the temple and Jeremy was able to come and perform some of the baptisms!
Now we look forward to his farewell on Sunday, September 8th. I hope I can get through the song without crying!
