Mission Report

At the very strong request of the Stake President and the Bishop, Jakob gave his mission report in Sacrament meeting today.  He spoke a great deal about how Heavenly Father has a plan for us and we need to trust that plan. We need to listen to and seek council from our church leaders and be willing to be humble and obey their council. He encouraged us to trust Heavenly Father and to seek personal revelation and know what each of us needs to do on our own journey here on earth.   After our church meetings, we came back to our house for lunch. We are so grateful to the MANY friends and family that have offered so many prayers and words of love for our family and for Jakob.

(Jakob, cousin Anna, sister Corrine, friends Cera & Adam)
We had a great day filled with amazing people. I am grateful for those that have supported us and supported Jakob. I have a renewed faith in the power of prayer and I have been impressed with those that take on the responsibility of "bearing one anothers burdens."  So many of you have been amazing examples of love to me. Thank you. 

(friends: Bryson, Jacob, Jakob, & Clark)

This will be my last post on this blog. For those of you in Mexico, you will always have a special place in our hearts. Our family loves you. We look forward to the day we can hug each of you.

Welcome Home!

It is with many mixed emotions I write this post today. Jakob came home early from his mission last night because of some issues with depression and anxiety. First, I would like to say that as a family we will always be grateful for and we love President and Sister McArthur. I look forward to the day I can personally give them a hug for loving Jakob as they have. We will always be in their debt for their care and concern.

It was so good to see Jakob!

Yes, Kate got to him before I did. No one is surprised by that. I decided it probably wasn't a good time to shove the 5 year old to the ground.

It does feel very good to have everyone back together.... even if it is a little earlier than we planned.

I am also very grateful for an inspired stake president and bishop. The bishop came to our house to greet Jakob and give him a hug after we had been home for only 15 minutes or so. Not long after the stake president came and stayed for an hour visiting with Jakob and us. I wanted to share some of the thoughts the stake president shared with us. First, Jakob returned with an honorable release. The stake president requested Jakob report to the high council and also give a report in sacrament meeting. Then, he shared a few scriptures with us. 

Jacob 4:10: "Wherefore, brethren, seek not to counsel the Lord, but to take counsel from his hand. For behold, ye yourselves know that he counseleth in wisdom, and in justice, and in great mercy, over all his works."

Only the Lord knows why Jakob needed to come home at this time. As devastating as this is for Jakob, we trust the Lord and Heavenly Fathers plan.  We are so grateful for all of the good friends and family that have expressed love and concern for our family and especially for Jakob. Your prayers are appreciated and have been felt. There is much power in calling down the angels of heaven to support us in our trials.