Farewell, Aragog - I mean, Markee

27 December 2015
Markee's farewell talk was delivered as if by a returning missionary.  She was poised, well-spoken and truly inspired in her words.  She was able to use Lord of the Rings and Knights Tale movie quotes and they flowed flawlessly.  She has been preparing well and is definitely ready to serve the Lord.  I'm so proud of my girl!
We were thrilled to have so many friends and family come celebrate afterward with food and laughter and love.  I'm sure Markee was glad to have the opportunity to say farewell to friends and family and feel of their love to send her on her way.  Thanks to all who came!

Cousins! Markee and Tamsyn will miss each other

We don't see Tim's family often - a rare treat!

Speaking of treat . . .That's a lot of food!

Hacking Whitney's phone . . . troublemakers!

Glad for our open floor plan!

Sleeping beauty - meanwhile her phone is being hacked

Cousins!

So glad the Cooks made it back from Florida in time for this!

The flight back from Florida must have been rough . . . 

Or, everyone was tuckered out from Christmas!

The cutest little hobbits!

We love the Bensons!

I love to see the temple; I'll go inside someday

 15 December 2015

The next step in Markee's journey was to receive her endowments in the House of the Lord.  We chose the Mount Timpanogos temple the day that we have ward temple night because it fit in with her work schedule - and then she quit her job earlier than planned (it was too busy as we went into the holiday season).  What an inspired choice as it was a wonderful blessing to be so surrounded with not just family, but ward family as well.  Even Marin and Megyn came to do baptisms so they could be in the temple with us. It was a beautiful evening full of love and what a delight to be in such a holy place with my daughter. My heart was full.

The call arrives

16 November 2015
I had expressed to Markee how I didn't like the hoopla that is tradition here in Utah when a mission call arrives.  My feeling is that the call is personal revelation and, while it is very exciting to find out where and how a missionary will be serving for the next couple years or 18 months, it is not necessary to invite anyone and everyone you know or have had contact with, and have them experience the opening of the envelope - what is this? the Academy Awards?  But I also do not micro manage my children's lives and left the opening of her call up to her.
Markee did invite a few close friends and some family to come over that evening as she revealed where she would serve. I didn't video and I didn't take any pictures besides the one with the unopened envelope.

Mississippi Jackson Mission

Reporting 30 December 2015

Jared and I were grateful that she is staying stateside and she was relieved that she would be speaking English - the only language besides movie quotes that she is comfortable with. We were all happy that her report date was so soon as she was really ready to go.  Our girl is on her way to becoming a full-time missionary!