Traveling up to Provo, UT

On Sunday, June 17th (father's day) we went to the stake center for Brian to be set apart as a missionary. We had a wonderful meeting with our Stake President, President Martin. He is such a sweet man. He shared some thoughts with us and gave us some direction. He then proceeded to set Elder Godwin apart. President Martin gave Elder Godwin a beautiful blessing and the spirit was so strong. We all cried, but it was good. What a blessing to have our son serving as a missionary.

After we left the stake center we headed north to Utah. When we got to the reservation we decided to go through Jacob Lake. Why not, it might be a little longer, but the way we were feeling it was well worth the drive. We stopped at a brand new LDS church building at the reservation. We looked a little out of place, but were welcomed in. We used the facilities and got a quick tour of their brand new building that they are so proud of. The missionaries and members were so nice.

We also stopped at Navajo Bridge crossing the Colorado River. We stopped and took some pictures there.

We then proceeded up to Richfield, where we met up with Josh Caskey. We had dinner and spent the night. Josh got to be Elder Godwin's companion overnight. Here we are having dinner at Wingers.

We also stopped in Payson, Utah at the Little Caesars that Elder Adams worked at. We called him from there to let him know we made it. Elder Adams is serving in our ward, but he was actually called to serve in New Zealand. He is right now awaiting his visa and serving our ward very well while he waits. By the time we returned back home he had finally gotten his visa and was already gone. We wish him well in New Zealand and are very happy for him.

We got up in the morning and headed for Provo. We got in early afternoon. Grandma Edris flew in from Phoenix to meet up with us. Aunt Vonnie picked Edris up from the airport and met up with us so we could bring Edris with us. We had dinner that evening with Alan's cousin Bruce and his wife Becca. It was so nice to see them again.

The next morning was a very unexpected, and life changing for our family. We were woken up around 7 am. The girls shared a room with grandma and Alan and I shared a room with the boys. Hannah called, grandma had fallen, we ran in to help her up and within a couple of minutes our lives changed forever. That morning grandma left us and returned to live with grandpa and with her Heavenly Father. It was a turn of events that we could never have anticipated. It was with great sadness that we said good-bye. As hard as it was it left us all with a burning testimony that God lives, Jesus Christ is our Savior and he has prepared a way for us to return to our Heavenly Father. We are thankful for the knowledge of the Plan of Salvation and how the Lord's plan plays a part in our eternal life. We are thankful for the knowledge of the Gospel, for the peace it gives us. We are thankful for the love and comfort that we felt from the Holy Spirit. For the support and love of friends and family.

Elder Godwin made the decision to continue with his plans to enter the Missionary Training Center the following day. We know that is what his grandparents would have wanted. And more importantly it is where our Heavenly Father wants him and needs him right now.