Open House and "Farewell" Day at Church

Open House

In preparation for Alexander leaving on his mission, we held an Open House where family and friends could come and give him a hug and say goodbye.  We were so grateful to all who took time out of their evening to come and visit with him for a short while.  He was happy and appreciative.  We are also grateful to all those who brought some yummy goodies to share.  We loved them all!!!  

Below are pictures of those long time friends who came to wish Alexander well on this new adventure.  There was a lot of love shared this evening.

The Henshaws - Neighbors who live on our street and have known our family for many, many years.

Aunt Maren, Aunt Evie and Susan McClintock (a long time family friend)

The Lees - Former Bishop and long-time church friends

D. Thompson - One of the primary children who is in Alexander's class

The Monroe Family - Family friends and also Marty (2nd from left) served in my same mission in Ecuador (a few years before me) and she is a fellow missionary momma (her daughter is in Singapore-Malaysia)

The McCombs! Todd is a teacher at the kid's former school and his mother is a long-time family friend

Miranda! A seminary (high school) friend to Alexander.

The Coulam's - Bishop Coulam was also a scout leader to Alexander and his daughter Miranda

Sarah Malzahn - High school friend of Alexander's

Bishop Carroll - Current Bishop and a good leader for Alexander

The Carroll family - a very loving and supportive family of Alexander

Cathy Nieto - Long time family friend and a missionary momma (her son is serving in Singapore-Malaysia)

The Travers - a long time family friend and have been primary teacher's for my children.  Alexander also used to dog and house sit for them.  Jack is our best printer and graciously handled so many print jobs for me during the past year for Alexander.  Jenny is my amazing friend and listening ear.

The Wards - These fine people were Alexander's "Ma" and "Pa" on the Pioneer Trek a few years ago and it was quite the bonding experience.

The Ducker family!  Such an awesome family and so supportive of Alexander in each of his achievements.

The Prusse's - Both Garret and Jessica have been supportive of Alexander and our family this past year. 

Alexander and Angelo

Alexander and Uncle Michael and Lili (always smiling)

Suzie Smith - a former Primary teacher and good friend of our family

Brother Ducker - He has been a mentor to Alexander over the past 5 years, mainly the 4 years he was Venturer in scouting.  Brother Ducker helped him climb Mt. Shasta the first time, when Alexander was just 14 years old.  He was also the recipient of the Mentor Pin when Alexander earned his Eagle Scout.  

Caleb Swain (Brother Swain in the back) - Caleb and Alexander have been good friend's since they were in primary together.  They are only 6 months apart in age.  Caleb is a student at BYU and will soon turn in his papers for his mission.

Peter Frangel - one of Alexander's favorite youth leaders.  They get along like pasta and sauce.  It always works.  

This is a perfect example of their relationship.  Always goofy but kind and supportive.

The Stolezings - They have been long time family friend's.  Judy Stolezing was Alexander's seminary teacher his Freshman year and Josh has been his good friend during high school and seminary.  Dick Stolezing was the Seminary President and has always said very kind things about the young man that Alexander is and is proud of his achievements. 

"Farewell" Day at Church

As is tradition, the departing missionary speaks in church.  They are given a topic that the bishopric feels is appropriate.  Alexander spoke on Personal Testimony.  I was SO impressed with his talk.  He was confident.  He was well-spoken.  He was humorous.  He was firm.  He spoke like a return missionary (or the way someone would speak AFTER his 2 years of service and growth in the mission field).  It is important to point out that he wrote the talk 100% on his own.   I made minor suggestions which helped to make a sentence or too more clear, but the content and the structure and the delivery was all his.  He has given me permission to share his talk and so I will post that soon.  The audio of his talk is a little muted, as I was sitting in the back.  When I can clean it up, I will share that too.  

The chapel was FULL.  So many people came to share in this special day for him.  These guests included people that I have known since I was a teenager, friends and family that we have known for over 15 years that have moved away, people who used to teach Alexander in Primary (ages 3-11), his youth and scouting leaders, fellow scouts, former home teachers, seminary teachers, his seminary friends (for the past 4 years), and our family.  

Below are pictures of some of these people.  As you can tell in the pictures, he is happy.  His heart is full.  He can feel the spirit of the Lord, he can feel the love of those around him, and he can feel that his decision to serve is a good decision.  

Josh Stolezing, Alexander, Hailey Eddenfield, Miranda Coulam, Emma Wahlquist
Seminary friends 

Dr. Kurt Armstrong - our favorite chiropractor.  He actually adjusted Alexander after church because his ankle was hurting.  He is awesome and we love him.
Don't ask him to adjust you outside of office hours - that was just a missionary special :o)

The Armstrongs! - We have known the Armstrong family since their oldest Gavin (back) and Alexander were young pups (ages 4-5).  We are so glad they came from Elk Grove to support Alexander.

Tom Barnett - A long time family friend, my former home teacher when I was a teenager and then he was a home teacher for our family and our kids loved him.

Hailey - a seminary friend

Emma and Josh

The Galbraith's - former Primary teachers and fun friends.  These are good people and we have missed them since they moved.

River Benavides - a fellow soccer player and quick friend of Alexander over this past year

Brothers!  Joshua and Alexander

Alexander was a teacher in the Primary where he taught the children from ages 4-7.  They LOVED him.  And he loved them.  They do a spotlight every once in a while where they tell fun things about the person.  On his last Sunday there, he was the spotlight.  The one clue that led the most people to know it was him was that “he doesn’t like to wear matching socks”.  Hahaha.  They gave him a gift and a cake. 

Below a picture of all the Primary children and then one of just the kids in his class including his favorite little sister. 

This video is of him giving a final talk to the children.  He had just opened the gift that they gave him, which was a missionary journal with his name engraved on it and all of the children and Primary leaders signed it.   

Alexander speaking to the Primary children

Our family took some pictures with him.  He loves his family.  He has been a strong foundation for our family, as well.  He will be the first missionary of this generation on both sides of the family to serve.  Previously, his great aunt Chris served in Uruguay.  His uncle Michael served in Spain as well.  His father served in Texas.  And I served in Ecuador and Texas.  

Just the men.  Each year we try to do a line up picture like this so we can see how much they have grown.  The height line is getting more and more even each year.

The Grandma's!  Grandma Jenene and Grandma Anna.  We are just missing Grandma Darlene who is still in Arizona.

The "Cane Sisters" - These loving aunts have helped to take care of this boy since he was a wee one.  They love unconditionally and give with full hearts.
Maren, Evie, Alexander, Grandma, and Chrissy

The Juarez Family - Lili, Michael, Cairo, Angelo, Alexander and Grandma

The AZ Grandparents - Jenene and Walt
They have always been here for the big occasions for their CA grandchildren.
We love them for their support

Just the boys.

Michael and Lili

Alexander and Joshua

Cairo and Alexander - more like brothers than cousins.  They are 2 years and 1 day apart.

A perfect example of how Alexander is.  A funny goof ball that makes us all laugh.

Favorite sister! 

These little ones love Alexander. 

He can hold them from his biceps.
We'll see how this goes in 2 years.

The Armor of God
What a great picture which represents a missionary putting on the whole armor of God to go into the field to serve.  Alexander's face was placed into the image in the mirror so he can see the Savior placing the helmet upon him.  

We love our missionary son.  We are very proud of him and his decision to serve.  He is a good son.  He loves his family.  He loves the gospel.  He loves to serve others.  He is genuinely happy.  He has a heart that is kind.  He will serve the Lord well and will return with honor.  

We love you son.
Serve well and Return with Honor