Lillie in the missionary training center

The instant messaging is a blessing and a curse. We were going through withdrawals of not hearing from Lillie instantly. Now we would have to wait for our weekly exchanges. At least it’s not like when I went on my mission where we could only write letters. So after a week we’re excited to have her email and text us and also video us. It brought peace to our hearts to know she was doing well. It was the best hour of our week to see her in FaceTime  

She loves her district and companion. So that is good. They have gone to the temple together and have been learning a lot about how to be an effective missionary.  Her pictures look like they are all having fun. 

Before she left we gave her a gift of emotional support chicken nuggets. Lillie loves chicken nuggets. She left some at home since luggage space is such a premium as a missionary. But I am glad she did. We needed some emotional support. 

So sad to see her room empty. 

And as I would come home every night, she would always be right there at the end of the kitchen table doing her school work or working. I miss seeing her there. But we know she is doing a good thing and it will bless her life, our lives and the lives of the people she teaches in North Dakota. 

Trip to drop Lillie off at the Missionary Training Center

Kim just couldn’t get off of work. As a teacher it is hard. I actually had a work commitment in Utah, so I was happy to have it coincide with Lillie’s dropping off. 

Tuesday February 11 began way too early. We had a 7am flight which meant we had be there by 5am, which meant we had to leave the house at 3:30am. It’s no wonder she slept the whole way. 

I upgraded us to first class with miles. I wanted to send our baby away with class!!

When we arrived in Utah we had some time to kill so I took her to see a giant ice cream monument for the very first ice cream shop in Utah. Haha. 

Then we had one last lunch together. Japanese!!  She loves her shrimp tempura!! 

That night I took some of her friends from college out to dinner and to say one last good bye to her. They have been such a good influence on her. I wanted to thank them!!  Two are from our stake. Andrew and Ethan!!

The actual day was here and I was getting sad. I shared with her D&C 31 where Thomas Marsh was promised some great blessings for his family as he served as a missionary. I believe it will be the same for us as Lillie serves. We went to the Wilkinson Center at BYU so more of her friends could say one last good bye. It was sweet to see how much they all loved each other. Look at how glowing she is as that day. 

Then the time came. I was very emotional. In a blink of an eye we drove in the parking garage, unpacked her luggage, said good bye and gave each other hugs and she was off. I was very sad that day. But happy and proud at the same time. 

Meanwhile at home a huge snow storm struck. Luckily we had some great friends help shovel us out so it made me happy to know Kim was not stuck in the house. 

  

We will miss her so much. But she has become such a wonderful girl. She has a testimony of the  gospel!!!  That’s the sweetest thing for us!!  It really comforts our hearts and makes me want to do everything possible to be with her and Kim forever!!

Lillie begins her mission with home MTC

Missionary life began for Lillie with home MTC the Monday after she was set apart. We were still relishing having her home with us. Stretching every last moment with her!!  Her schedule was busy. And it was off set two hours from Utah since she is on the east coast so she had classes sometimes until 11PM. But they also let her get up at 8:30. So that was good!  

Here she is bright and early on her first day. She looked so beautiful!!  And radiant!!

Look who was her companion!!  Actually she didn’t need one. They said she could be at home alone if we had to go out. 

This is how she studied. Three 2-hour classes, workshops, teaching investigator role playing, companion study, and devotionals!!

And during breaks this is how we found her!  It was a lot!

Did you know sister can wear pants now?  So one day she looked so casual, like she was going to school. 

All in all she had a busy week and learned a lot about how to teach. And we were all lucky to have her at home with us stretching out our last days with her before she finally leaves. We love her a lot. 

Lillie is a missionary!!!

On Sunday February 9, 2025 Lillie was set apart as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We could not be more proud!  She is going to be a great missionary because she has a desire to help others and be their friend. Doesn’t everyone just need a friend to help them along in life?  In her blessing the stake president blessed her with confidence (something that will help her be bold), blessed her with greater patience (which will go a long way because she has tendencies to be less patient like her father) and blessed her with health (a good thing to be blessed with because of her severe eczema. It was a special blessing. 

And the very next day she started home MTC for a week. Think 9 hours of church!!  She did so well, even though she was exhausted. She glowed with missionary energy this morning. 

And she was surprised to see who her companion would at home MTC. See below picture. 

Here she is studying hard!!

On her break, I came down to find her like this:

Birthday Celebrations

We took Lillie up to New York to celebrate her 20th birthday. One last hurrah before her mission. It was such a fun trip going back down memory lane, visiting all Lillie’s favorite restaurant, shopping and even a new broadway play, The Great Gatsby!!

Some happy birthday singing at Serendipity!  

The unique Oculus mall. 

Lil’s favorite shop, Kate Slade. 

Such great memories at Becco!!  All you can eat trip of homemade pasta!!

Shopping in Chinatown is always a favorite on Lil’s!

Lillie goes through the temple

Tonight our Lillie went through the temple. We are so proud of her. She is such a good, bright, happy girl. She said she loved going through and she learned a lot. She has been such a great daughter to us and we are very lucky to have her in our lives. Next month—she leaves on her mission!!!

Snow storm 2025

Our vacation has been extended three days. We have been stuck at home because of a huge storm that hit the area. We had 10 inches of snow. It was nice to be stuck at home with Lillie and Kim and have an extension to our break. Even though the snow is brutal on the roads, it is really beautiful!