September 12th - 18th

In Our Family This Week...
* Said "Goodbye" to Seth!! August went with mom and dad to drop him off at the airport at 4:30am. It was tough giving him the final hug and the ride home was certainly a sad and lonely drive... It helps knowing that he is in the Right Place at the Right Time doing the Right Thing!
* Nathan turned the big 10!!
* We fed the Missionaries. They gave us some fun insight of what Seth is experiencing in the MTC and gave some good ideas for care packages :)
* Ben's football team had a fundraiser at the Pizza Ranch in Billings - where the players were the "waiters" for the night and they were able to keep all donations made (plus the restaurant donated 20% of the proceeds of those that came in for the fundraiser). The Freshman and Juniors took the 5-7pm shift and the Sophmores and Seniors were from 7-9pm. We met there after Nathan's practice got over (we arrived around 7:30pm) and so Ben could eat with us. It sure was fun seeing him interact with the team.
* Dad got sick and was in bed most of the weekend
* Dad took Ben to his football game in Custer. Ben wasn't able to play due to the suspension from fighting. He's looking forward to the next game where he can play!
* Nathan had a game - like every other game this season, they won.

Spiritually Speaking...
This week we truly had some wonderful Spiritual Experiences! The night before Seth left, we wanted to have a special Family Home Evening. This last night together as a family turned into 3 hours of pure awesomeness!! We talked together, discusses gospel principles together, laughed together. sang songs together and cried together. The Spirit was strong and beautiful in our home that night. Dad had felt impressed to have those that wanted to, to share their Patriarchal Blessings. The Spirit witnessed to each of us the truthfulness of the words that were shared. Ben was particularly touched when hearing August's blessing and told him (through tears) that he knew August was going to have awesome kids in the future and that he really felt that he should go on a mission. Seth also felt that and said "The Spirit is telling me to blunt with you and tell you that you should go on a Mission." Of course dad and I were feeling the same thing but August already has heard it from us, and I think it was good to hear the heartfelt pleas of his brothers. Of course whatever path August chooses - we will love him and support him in all that he does! We have been truly blessed with wonderful children! As we continued on, Dad gave Seth a Fathers Blessing. It was a beautiful blessing and gave my mamma heart such comfort! He asked that I type it up and send it to him at Christmas time - so I'll include that in a later blog post... but I did want to include the words that the Stake President (Pres. Zaugg) pronounced upon him when he was set apart as a full time missionary last week:

* The Rights, Power and Priveledges of a Full Time Missionary were bestowed upon him
* Blessed with an added measure of the Spirit as he serves
* The Spirit will inspire and direct him in any questions he might have or need to learn
* Blessed to pick up the Spanish Language and to speak it
* Blessed with Charity - he will have love for those he serves. they will see the love and concern in his eyes and they'll want to learn from him
* He will have Marvelous Experiences
*Utilize the Priesthood - he will bless people's lives and was counseled to take every opportunity to use it
* He will have great companions that will inspire and lift him - and he will do the same for them
* Counseled to write down the marvelous experiences he has. He will see miracles happen and people's lives change. Share those experiences with your family.
* Search, Ponder and Pray about the Scriptures. Teach them in a simple and understandable way
* Heed the Mission Presidents words and also the words of his wife - they will be a beacon of hope to him
* Blessed with Health and Strength and the ability to make right decisions
* Blessed with Protection. Listen to the Spirit and it will keep you out of harms way.
* Counseled to serve with all his Might, Mind and Strength
and the final words given in the blessing were "Humble yourself and be His Servant."

Overall I think we've all done fairly well with saying our Farewells to Seth - sometimes when I think of it - my heart aches to think of TWO FULL YEARS passing before being able to see him again - but then I'm overcome with such a peaceful feeling and I'm so happy for Seth and his willingness to serve the Lord and the sadness is pushed aside and filled with peace and comfort.