Drop Off Day - February 12, 2018

And then the big day came. Mom, Dad, Mandy and Nick flew up to Provo on Friday. We were able to visit with Priscilla and friends that night, with the Ketcher side of the family on Saturday, and with the Wrights on Sunday. Early Monday morning we drove to downtown SLC to the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. We got to attend their Monday morning devotional. And then it was time to say goodbye. A couple of tender mercies-one of the senior couples that coordinate the Young Elders in the mission are the Thornocks. We also had and Elder and Sister Thornock that worked with the Young Elders in Arizona. We knew Nick was in good hands! Also, the senior missionary that coordinates the physical activity and the cars is an old friend of the Ketcher side of the family. The Lord is in the details, right?

President Fenn pinning on Nick's new missionary badge

"Your ancestors will always be with you" - February 11, 2018

I feel bad that I don't have more pictures from the days we spent with Nick in Utah just before we left him. We were able to enjoy time with Priscilla, her college friends and Christopher. We spent Saturday evening with the Ketcher side of the family. And we had a big family dinner with the Wrights on Sunday night before we dropped Nick off the next morning.

That Sunday morning we were able to go to church at my Uncle Stan's assisted living center, The Beehive Home, in Draper. Stan had an amazing gift for Nick. It's a blanket that belonged to my Grandpa Ketcher. Stan said he thought of it the night before when we were visiting and he wanted to give it to Nick to remind him that his Native American ancestors and many other ancestors too would always be near him to help him during his mission. I had felt the exact same impression when Nick was being set apart. I love these pictures near in front of the portrait of Grandma and Grandpa Ketcher!

Set Apart Again! - February 8, 2018

President McCleve from our stake presidency came over and Nick was blessed to have another Priesthood blessing for the service he would be providing in the Salt Lake City HQ mission. What an amazing experience to get to do this twice!

Open House - February 3, 2018

 We had an Open House for people to come say goodbye to Nick. He chose to have an ice cream sundae bar, and that was a big hit! Lots of people from the ward came, as well as his leaders from the Chandler ROC.

The highlight for him was the fact that all of the other elders that served with him at the Chandler ROC came as well!

The next day he may have made history as he gave a report of his service in the Arizona Young Church Service Mission and also gave a bit of a farewell talk about leaving to go serve in the Salt Lake City Headquarters Mission. And it was on Fast Sunday as well. Leave it to Nick to never do anything in the ordinary way!

A Final AYCSM Farewell - January 26, 2018

We had a wonderful dinner with the Pugmires and the other missionaries and families at the Pugmire's home. Truly mixed feelings! Our family loves this mission and all of the service they perform in the community, the church, and for the missionaries and families! One special moment was when Elder Pugmire spoke about Nick. He said that he had spoken to President Fenn from the SLC HQ mission. He said he didn't really want to tell President Fenn what a great missionary Nick was, and he really didn't want to recommend for Nick to leave, because Nick was doing such a wonderful job here in Arizona. Such a proud parent moment! 

A Big Announcement! January 19, 2018

On January 19 we got a message from our Bishop asking if he and the Stake President could drop by that evening. They had amazing news! Nick had been called to transfer to the Salt Lake City Headquarters Mission! We were all happy, excited, and relieved after so many months of waiting for news. Although the thought of Nick leaving home and the Arizona Young Church Service Mission made it a little bittersweet.

Here's some information about his new mission president and wife

And here is a map of his mission. Only about 6 city blocks!

This mission is very unique. The missionaries live in apartments and have companions. They basically obey all of the traditional mission rules. However, they don't proselyte. To be honest, when Nick received his call we weren't completely sure exactly what he would be doing. But we knew he would be serving the Lord and building the Kingdom of God. It's a great adventure!

Zone Conference - January 9, 2018

One great thing about serving a young church service mission is that parents are invited to Zone Conference. We enjoyed dinner, instruction and support with other missionaries and parents.

Elder Wright, and to his left is his companion Elder Halliday. They served together at the Chandler ROC.

The missionaries had a meeting in one room while their parents had a Q&A session.