Salt Lake City

Here we are spending a couple of days as a family in Salt Lake City.  It is beautiful.  It has been snowing and with Temple Square all lit up for Christmas it is lovely.  We have met so many missionaries all around the city.  They have shared stories and experiences with Steven and how their missions are wonderful.  It calms my heart.  They all welcome him to the work and have helped him to feel accepted and loved already.  It is awesome.  

Tomorrow he reports to the MTC at 1 pm.  We are stopping to visit with Sister McKnight for a bit before he enters.  She lives 15 minutes from the MTC.  He is excited to see her.

Steven and Steve went through a session in the Salt Lake Temple today while Sheri and I shopped and shopped.  This new mall here in SLC is awesome!

Elder Williams is ready to serve!  

Here it is!

Today we head out for Utah!  Last night Steven was set apart by President Merrill.  It was very special.  We had an open house for Steven on Friday.  It was nice.  It started to snow and when people started showing up, the power went out.  It was fun to sit in the candle lite and visit.  Thank you to all family and friends who show love and support to our family!  It makes it so much easier to send him out into the world!

As a mom I am feeling quite emotional.  Although, I have to say that this last week I have felt a lot of peace.  I know this is the right thing and my little boy will be kept safe.  President Merrill asked Steven to share with our family what serving a mission means to him.  It was very humbling to hear my son share the feelings of his heart.  Words cannot be spoken that could help one understand the spirit and testimony that was in that room last night.  All were in tears.....even Sheri!  All I can share is that Elder Williams is ready to serve and love the children of God in Japan!

The snow was very special to Steven.  He has been praying that it would snow before he left.  He shared that he felt Grandma Fox telling him that all was going to be ok and that she was very proud of him when it started to snow.  When we took Grandma back to Plymouth, Utah for burial....it snowed.  When we had her funeral here in Grass Valley it began to freakishly snow just before the funeral and stopped after it was over.  Then the snow came the day before Steven was to leave for his adventure!  Grandma Fox loved the snow and would watch Steven and Sheri play in it for hours.  She would even sometimes pray for a little snow.  It reminded her of her home growing up in Plymouth.  Snow is a bit of heaven for the Williams family.  

Life is good!  Farewell, Elder Williams.  Our two years has begun and what a wonderful two years it will be!

Steven after he received his endowments at the Sacramento Temple. November 16, 2013

Time has flown!

Today was Steven's last Sunday home.  He is excited, a little nervous, but ready.  The missionaries came over last night and gave him great advise and shared their testimonies with him.  It comforted him and ME! Saturday evening he will be set apart as a missionary.   

Life has been absolutely crazy in our family. Steve's mother, Coleen passed away 2 weeks ago.  Steve tore his rotator cuff and bicep and will be having surgery as soon as we get home from Utah.  He can no longer do the paper route, so after 10 years of waking at 3 am we will be retiring and actually get some sleep!  With all the craziness, we sit down  as a family and count our blessings.  We do indeed see the hand of The Lord directing our lives and blessing us with blessings unimaginable.  How greatful we are for the gospel in our lives! 

One month left!

One month from today Steven will be in the MTC!  Everything is done, purchased, talks given, ordered, copied, completed and ready to go.  Well, one thing left.....attending the temple this Saturday.  What a wonderful day that will be!  

I read an email today that all missionaries in the Phillipines are accounted for and safe!  I began to sob. How grateful I am that our Heavenly Father watches over His servants!  

Steven's Mission President

Biography

Kazuhiko and Tazuki Tashiro Yamashita 

The Mission President in the Japan Nagoya Mission is Kazuhiko Yamashita, 59, and Tazuko Tashiro Yamashita, six children, Tokyo 1st Ward, Tokyo Japan South Stake (English).

Elder Yamashita serves in the First Quorum of the Seventy and as a member of the Asia North Area Presidency. He is a former Area Seventy, counselor in a mission presidency, stake president, stake mission president, high councilor, and bishop. Retired university professor. Born in Tokyo, Japan, to Kiyoshi Yamashita and Sadae Nakazawa.

Sister Yamashita is a former stake Relief Society and Primary president, ward Primary president, counselor in a ward Relief Society presidency, welfare Church-service missionary, and stake missionary. Born in Miyazaki, Japan, to Kazuo Hazeyama and Aki Tasharo 

Ready.....set......

Well, "Go!" isn't here yet.  Some days we cannot believe how fast time is going, then others it seems to be going so slow.  I enjoy every minute though.  I posted a photo of the back of our van.  We have had so many write congratulations on it, honk and give thumbs up, yell congratulations.  It is amazing!  Steven has had countless opportunities to share where he is going and why.  Many in our little town know us one way or another and we cannot go anywhere and not have someone ask about his mission.  The tire place, the Dollar Store, Raleys, the gas station, the library...that was who we talked to about it just yesterday.  Today it has been CORE Placer, the foot doctor, and a lady at Grocery Outlet. It is cool though.  I told Steven to keep track in his journal!  It will be good practice when he has to fill out his reports every day on his mission!

He is all healed from his surgeries and now working on getting his legs ready for a lot of bike riding.  

It is Sheri's birthday today and he keeps reminding her that he won't be here for her next birthday, or the next!  She just tells him....that's ok.  I get your bedroom!  I don't know what she means by that, but it quieted him down.  They will miss teasing each other a lot!