It's official!

I guess it's official, and there's no turning back now!!

Ryan & Kevin Slaugh, Grandpa Paul Winn, Elder Oaks, Elder Snow, Patrick & Kris Holderness
Kristi, President Winn, Sister Winn, Jolene & Rob
Adam, Devin, Brian & Cameron Holderness

Tuesday, June 22, 2010 at 11:15 a.m., we met in the church administration building to be officially set apart as missionaries. Elder Oaks, one of the 12 Apostles of the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, met us in his office and welcomed us warmly.
Elder Snow, one of the Presidents of the Seventy, who is in charge of the missionary effort in Utah, was there as well. Elder Oaks took the time to greet us and meet each of the family members who were with us. We brought Bruce's dad, Paul Winn, from Las Vegas. Jolene and Rob and Kristi all came from Provo, as did our adopted Delaware sons, Ryan and Kevin Slaugh. My youngest brother, Patrick, his wife, Kristine, and their four sons, Cameron, Adam, Brian and Devin, completed the group. As we were introducing our familly members, it was fun to discover that Bruce's father had known Elder Oaks' mother when he was in college, and often remembered her talking about her son Dallin, who was off in law school in Chicago. Kevin also explained that his grandfather, Owen Slaugh, had first ordained Elder Oaks to the priesthood, the office of a Deacon, when Elder Oaks was just twelve years old. At this point, Elder Snow commented that if he had known it was going to be a family reunion, he would have brought some picnic blankets and potato salad!

Next, Elder Snow told us a few things about the Salt Lake Mission where we will be serving. Then, the apostle, Elder Dallin Oaks, placed his hands on Bruce's head, along with Elder Snow, and set him apart to be the mission president of the Utah, Salt Lake City Mission. He gave President Winn a very tender blessing, promising him that if he served with all his heart, he would have all that he needed physically, emotionally and mentally, to fulfill this calling. He promised that the Lord would watch over and bless our family far away, and send the people they needed to help them out in our absence. It was a wonderful blessing.

Last of all, Elder Snow placed his hands on my head, along with Elder Oaks and Bruce, and set me apart to be a full time missionary. He blessed me that I would be able to learn quickly to love all the missionaries serving in our mission, and that I would be a help and support to Bruce.
What a comfort those sweet blessings will be to us as we face this new experience. What a marvelous opportunity this is for both of us!

Ready or not, here we come.