I am the youngest of 3 children I have an older Sister, Allison(25), who is currently serving a mission in the Atlanta Georgia mission! My sister graduated from BYU-I a couple years back with a major in Art and minor Psychology in hopes to become an Art Phychologist, instead she found a job as an art teacher on a remote island in Saipan. A year into her twoyear there she knew she had to go on a mission as diligent prayer had led her know that is where God wanted her. She also knew she had another year left before she could quit her job, but God had other plans for her. That summer ther principle layed off all the teachers planning to rehire and rebuild. Although she knew she could easily be rehired, since her and the principle were close, she knew this was an answer to her prayer! So off to a mission she went. From my sister I have learned the importance of prayer and the importance of following the spirit. I know no one closer to the spirit then her and maybe my mom!
I also have an older Brother, Jonny(27), who served his mission in the Denver Colorado North Mission. Sadly about 9 months in he wasn't feeling too well and had to be rushed to the doctor. To make a long story short they discovered he had Crohns disease and after surgery had to be sent home on an honorable medical release. He is now engaged to my soon to be sister-inlaw, which is weird to think, but she was already like a sister to me when I was home so it'll all be normal when I get home. Their date is for August 6th, so I'll be doing the Lords work out here, but I'm still just as excited for them. It's been GREAT to see his progression since his mission! I hope I'm half the man he is now when I get home!!! Which hopefully never comes... I mean extensions are always an option!!! From him I've learned that no matter what sickness or illness gets in the way don't let this destroy your dreams.
You probably didn't only want to know about my brothers and sisters so I will share with you a little about my parents. First off my mom, Camie, who is originally from Poccatello Idaho. She has been the backbone in my religious life and am so greatful for it. It was her that pushed all the kids to go to church and go on missions... well didn't really push my sister, but always stood behind her choices. Sadly on the negative side of things all my relatives got a bad singer voice from our mom, but we make do and have a little fun with it! It brings smiles to all of our faces!!! I guess that wasn't as negative as I thought it would be. One thing i dislike is negativity but hey it exists so might as well make it into a positive!! My mom has been married to my dad for a little over 20 years! There's been some downs but mostly ups, just like in any marriage! I'm positive that it is because of my mom that I am who I am today!
Now a little about my dad. My entire life I grew up with my dad never coming to church. Yes my parents were sealed in the LA temple, but I he had gone less active long before I was born. He would find excuses not to come and it's just the way I grew up. I used to think it was normal to only have one parent at church. One thing my dad never lost though was his testimony. He didn't come to church but he knew it was true. Right after I turned in my mission papers I went on a two week mini mission in my own local mission. On my mini mission I learned of wht they called the "the 15 family plan." The plan that we still use to get less active reactivated and find referalls from doing so. To say the least alot of wards don't fully understand the plan and my home ward was one of them. I quickly got on the phone and requested that my family be put on the list of 15 families. Soon missionaries were teaching us the lessons. They quickly commited my dad to get back to the being temple worthy. This goal was something he had already committed himself to do since he so badly wanted to be my escort for when I went through the temple. Soon the missionaries were making smaller commitments with him to get him to that point. It wasn't too long till he was making it to church at least once a month, which was a huge improvement. I then got my mission call and he knew he had about 2 months to be ready to go to the temple with me. Putting this time limit on things really blessed him so much. He went in and had an interview with the bishop and was told unless he starts coming every sunday he wouldn't be able to get a temple reccommend in time. He tried his hardest to do so, but because of his surgery on his back quite often he was stuck in bed in EXTREME pain. A new bishop was called about this time, which was a huge blessing to my father. This bishop pushed my father to get to at least sacrament every week. The month before I was to go into the temple my dad made it to two sundays in a row for the first time in as long as I could remember. It was time for him to talk to the bishop again. The bishop understoon his circumstance and could tell my dad was trying his hardest and commited him that he would let him go through the temple as long as my dad promised the bishop he would continue to come to at least sacrament! My dad made the commitment and for the first time in about 20 years my dad went through the temple with me my first time. To this day my dad now goes to church and tries to visit the temple at least once a month with my mother! A great testimony of the importance of commitment has come from my dad who I know has experienced alot more than any one else that I have met to this day!
