Josh's Setting Apart

Tonight Josh was set apart as a full-time missionary! There were several missionaries getting set apart tonight and so the Stake Presidency had to divide and conquer! We were with President Parker. He had everyone give some advice to Josh. This was much easier than expressing how we feel about him, which always caused the tears to flow! Josh was given and incredible blessing! It was a really special experience! They even let immediate family members zoom in. We had Janika and Brandon and also Jaiden! We are so proud of Josh! 

Jaiden: Set Apart as a Full-Time Missionary!

Jaiden's setting apart was tonight. It was a special, sacred experience! Unlike Janelle's setting apart, where her farewell, open house, and setting apart were all on the same day (and the same weekend as Jaiden's big show of SpongeBob), Jaiden had her farewell and luncheon last weekend and her setting apart this weekend. So today was actually pretty calm (at least for me, ha ha, it wasn't necessary relaxing for Jaiden!)  We met at the church at 7:30 and took a bunch of pictures of the family (Jaiden and Janelle obviously don't know how to do a hand-off, ha ha, they were not involved in track like Jared was when he and Jase did this same pose). I had curled my hair, but it was a bit drizzly outside and so the curls quickly turned frizzy.  Apparently the girls have better hair than I do, ha ha! Jaiden invited Emily to come as well.

While we were waiting for the the Stake President (President Nadauld) Rick had everyone singing hymns around the piano in harmony! We went in for her blessing and President Nadauld had everyone share their feelings about Jaiden and her decision to serve a mission. Of course this got the tears flowing for all of us! She was given a beautiful, powerful blessing! I recorded it on my phone and typed it up so that she could have a copy to help her while on her mission. I am so grateful for her decision to serve. It won't be easy, but it will certainly change her life and she will bless the lives of many with her service! 

Janelle Missionary Farewell and Setting Apart

Janelle had her missionary farewell today! When I found out (a few days ago) that there was no musical number planned we hurried and threw one together. I found a pretty arrangement of "I'll Go Where You Want Me To Go" and we asked a few of Janelle and Jaiden's friends to sing it (Clay McFadden, Jaiden, Emily Williams, Alex Merdes, and Trina Lang). They didn't have much time to practice, but it still sounded nice. Janelle had worked hard on her talk and did a great job. We had a lot of family who came to support her (Grandma and Grandpa Westra, Chris and Kim and Camden and Cayson, Shane and Alicia's family, Derek and Danielle's family, Janika and Brandon, Jase and Ellen, Jared, Jaiden, Josh, Jenna, and of course me and Rick)! She also had LOTS of friends who came to support her! (They took a picture at the church, but I can't find it, so I will have to add it later).

We had a little luncheon at our house afterwards for our immediate family and also for our family members who were in town and for Janelle's friends. I also invited a few of our friends (the Williams, Phillips, Wildes, and Amy Ences family). We had a variety of soups (taco, white chicken chili, vegetable, broccoli cheese and potato) and desserts. I wish I had thought to get a picture of Janelle with Grandma and Grandpa Westra! Rick and I had talked about doing a poster for the door (as shown below) and Rick was about to order one online but thought that it would be nicer (and cheaper) to make one. So her enlisted Brandon's help and Brandon made the sign and Rick got it printed. It turned out really nice! 

Sunday night Janelle got set apart at the church. We had all of our immediate family members (except for Janika and Brandon who had already headed back to Pleasant Grove) and Grandma and Grandpa Westra were also able to come since they were not going home until the next morning. President Nadauld had everyone share some thoughts and advice for Janelle (so that was emotional!) and then he set her apart. Her blessing was SO incredible and powerful and she was given some amazing blessings!!! 

Jared: Missionary Setting Apart

Tuesday August 14: This evening we had Jared's setting apart. Rick gave Jared a blessing before going (instead of on Sunday with the rest of the kids). We wanted to take some pictures before the setting apart but the setting apart was at 9:00 and it was so overcast that it was too dark out to really get any good ones and the lighting inside the church wasn't good either. Jared invited a few close friends to his setting apart too and they were able to stand in the circle too since they have already been ordained as elders. They all have their mission calls too. So Jared received two neat blessings tonight. Rick had each of the kids write letters to Jared for him to read on the way to the MTC the next day. 

Jase's Setting Apart

Jase was set apart as a missionary tonight!  (I will write more about it later)

 

Set Apart

Set apart...she is officially a sister missionary now!