Farewell Gathering in Utah

Brady and I flew to Utah on Tuesday, November 16th to spend the last night, and next morning together before he entered the MTC. When we arrived at the Salt Lake Airport, our good friends, Russ and Pam Alston, met us as the airport to offer us their car to drive as we had plans to go to Temple Square. The Alston's are Brady's second family in UT, as their son Travis, is one Brady's best friends. They both attended Bingham High School as new students together and were in the band. They had many great times together.  I enjoyed getting to know the Alston family when we lived in UT and feel so blessed to be able to maintain that relationship even after we've moved. Bishop Alston and his wife Pam have been a blessing in our lives. (Travis and Brady have been able to spend one month together in the MTC. Elder Alston leaves Dec. 20th for Portugal).

Brady and I went to Temple Square and we met Brad for dinner at the Garden Restaurant inside the Joseph Smith Memorial Building.

 Afterwards, we walked around Temple Square and went inside the Visitor's Center.

After we left Temple Square we went to the Alston's home, who offered to let us stay at their home and hosted a Farewell Gathering for Brady.  I am so grateful to them and their sweet family for inviting us into their home, taking care of us, and for providing Brady with the time to say goodbye to dear friends.

I had invited Brady's friends who are mostly attending BYU, and others from our ward.

From top left:  Sanford Family, Megan, Becky, Cody and Rachel, (this is some of our Bishop's family, Bishop Sanford was out of town for work, Emily, Natalie and Sydney were home), Kyle Sanford, Jeppson Family - Melissa and Alma with their four darling boys, Mark Scanlon and Ashlee, Alston family, Hill Cumorah Work Crew friends (Trevor Lott, and the second is Elder Alder, I don't know the other's names :( ), Trevor Uptain, Blair Janis, Trevor and Josh, Day family - Tanner, Sister's Day and Corrinn, Troy Jolley, and Richard and Karla Parkinson.

 Brady talking with one of his best buddies - Mark

The sweetest moment was when four of Brady's buddies from the Hill Cumorah Work Crew drove from BYU to see Brady off. You could instantly see the love these young men have for each other. That's what serving a mission does. These young men served together on a mini mission as part of the work crew for the Hill Cumorah Pageant. They have remained close. 

Trevor Lott, Preston Alder, Mike Heath and Jody Hirschi

It was nice visiting with friends from the ward, but even better, was seeing Brady light up from visits from these special friends. Thank you all for being in Brady's life.

Farewell Gathering Arizona

Here we are at the Farewell Gathering for Brady. It was a lot of fun planning this and I was really happy with how it turned out. David and Shauna Handy hosted the gathering at their beautiful home. I had a table set up with a journal..."and upon these I write the things of my soul..." (2 Nephi 4:15), for people to share some of their thoughts with Elder Lester. There was also some address cards I had printed up, as well as a sign up sheet for anyone interested in following the blog where I would be updating Brady's letters that he writes home.

I also made a poster which shows Brady when he was 18 months old at Temple Square wearing his white shirt and tie with a future missionary tag on. I put his Mission Call, Map of the Mission, and Mission President information on ther poster as well.

We had this great dessert bar featuring colors of the Mexican Flag. Dawn made a center piece for her famous cupcakes to sit on. She even painted it to resemble the Mexican Flag. She also made chocolate covered strawberries and brought all her cute bowls and jars for all the food. For the Green we served Brocolli, grapes, green m&m's, sour punch straws and sour patch kids. For the red we served grape tomatoes, red bell pepper, red m&m's, red sour patch kids, and red vines. For the white we served ranch dressing, cauliflower, powdered donuts and popcorn. Brady loves popcorn! Carla made homemade oreos with green, white and red frosting. We also had yummy salsa that Shauna made and I got some queso from Costa Vida.  It looked fantastic! So thankful for best friends!

Here are some of the special people who came to say goodbye to Brady. I am missing several pictures, like the Handy's (I can't believe we never got that picture - Brady's family!), Kathy Plowman, Pam Beaty's, Bay's, Meadow's, Renee Palfreyman and probably more.

From top left: McCains, John and Kathy Holmes, (he was our Bishop from the Crystal Shores ward and serves as our High Council Representative), Byron and Myna Rasmussen, (So close to Brady and served as Brady's escort when he went to the Temple to received his own endowments), Ruth Sullivan, (friend and Brady's Sunday School teacher for years - he still would go to her classes at age 19!), Lynn McAurthur, (dear friend, supporter and her husband Skip was Brady's Deacon's qourum leader), Reinhilde and Harold Riley, (she came to the Temple when Brady went for his own endowments), Van, Sarah and Kevin Rowse (the dearest of friends - Brother Rowse has played such a special role in Brady's life serving as his Teacher's qourum leader and also who Brady gave his Eagle Scout Mentor pin to. Brother Rowse still wears that pin next to the one from his own son. I love Brother Rowse because we both cry when we talk about Brady - so much love!), Diana LeDonne, Karen Gruninger, Bishop and Suzanne Lunt, (great Bishop and support to Brady and our family), Jeanne McAuthur (so sweet and has always been interested in Brady serving his mission. She kept asking when he turned his papers in and has been such a great supporter of Brady), Ryan Ferrell (President Ferrell's son, who got to know Brady working at the tie warehouse. Brady loves Ryan and appreicates all the mission advice he received), Joey and Cambi McCullough (such great friends and example to Brady. Joey would always call Brady and Kasey to play Elders basketball on Thurs. nights), Nancy and Dick Hansen (long time friends and home teachers to us a few years ago), David Benson and Fred Gretsch (former Bishop, and Brady would home teach Fred and Ann), Jody & Charlie Adams (Aunt and Uncle), Brother & Sister Wardrop (grandparents of the ward and love Missionary work - they have a grandson serving in Mexico City), Julie, Howard and Jonathan Taylor (Aunt, Uncle, Cousin), and Scott and Tara Turner (leader and example), and here's Grandma...

It was such a wonderful evening and I know Brady felt very special to have so many people wish him well on his mission. He has received so much good advice and support from everyone. What was even more of a surprise was him receiving financial gifts. Brady received enough to pay for one month in the mission field. So thoughtful and such a blessing! Thank you everyone for your kindness and love towards Brady and our family. Your care and example over the years has meant so much. This just shows how so many people through the years make such an impact and help to teach our children. That's what the Gospel does. I thank you all.