And so the Adventure Begins...

Elder Jason Blanding left the arms of his mother on March 6 and reported for his mission at the Mission Training Center in Provo, Utah. Mom shed a few tears and Elder Blanding was ready to "go forth" and serve.  

We started our adventure Sunday night, March 3rd, when President Tanner set Jason apart in one of the most spiritual events in our home.  We then spent Monday doing the last minute preparation for a 6pm flight to Salt Lake City.  We went to Five Guys in Kirkland (opening day) and had lunch as a family, packed our bags and gave hugs.  

Tuesday Steve, Elder Blanding (I got to get use to typing that) and I spent the day in Salt Lake City. Since Steve and I had never been to the Salt Lake Temple we took advantage of this time and did a session.  WOW! The session was awesome and the building is ... well ... beyond words. We then had lunch on top of the Joseph Smith Memorial building, toured Temple Square and ran into Sister Helen Stolp who is serving a mission on Temple Square (Helen and Jason are cousins).  

Elder Jason Blanding

Elder Jason Blanding

Elder Blanding faithfully studying like a good missionary does.​

Elder Blanding faithfully studying like a good missionary does.​

We then went back to Provo and hooked up with a few of Jason's cousins & friends for dinner. It was a blast and Elder Blanding was all smiles. 

Amanda & Elder Jason Blanding

Amanda & Elder Jason Blanding

Wednesday was bitter sweet. It was awesome to see my baby so grown up and focused but at the same time, he is still my baby.  I still remember holding that sweet little face with all that curly hair (he still has the curl but it has to get long before you see it). But alas, he isn't that boy anymore; he is a young man, called of God to go preach the gospel to the people of Puebla! 

Elder Blanding at breakfast before entering the MTC

Elder Blanding at breakfast before entering the MTC

So with the quickest of hugs Elder Jason Blanding begins his journey of a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His expected date to arrive in Mexico is April 15, but Mexico has been a little slow getting their visa's issued so he might not get there then.  We can only pray for his success and happiness.


Bikes

Kray needed to find a better way to get around town and so he got it in his brain to buy a motorcycle.  In the State of Washington you have to have an endorsement on your license to drive a motorcycle so somehow he talked his dad into taking the class with him.  One thing led to another and now Kray and Steve both have bikes.

 

Kray and his new Honda Shadow.​

Kray and his new Honda Shadow.​

Of course I didn't really want Steve to get a bike, but he put it this way: save money and have fun. (Somehow I have got to figure out how to save money by going to Hawaii or a cruise or something--I know it will be fun.) 

Steve on his bike​

Steve on his bike