A Testimony to Remember

Casey bore his testimony today ... I can't remember everything that he said, but he did mention how grateful he was to have a ward family that lifts him up and supports him. He also mentioned all the different places people were guessing he would go to serve, then he says, "I will miss you all while I am serving in the Washington, Seattle Mission". He just slipped it right in there, lol There were a few who thought that he was guessing that Washington was where he would serve, lol. It was great! Oh, and no worries! We straightened out those who were confused. ;)

Mam-Ma, Casey, and his Grandma Marcia

Casey and Grandpa Terry

Uncle Ed, Casey and Aunt Donna

Skyping Family

Casey with his mission call. We Skyped his sister Ashley and Aunt Dana so they could share in his excitement.

The White Envelope!!

The big white envelope came!! I walked in the door and Aubrey comes running up to me with the boys trailing behind, and they shout, "Mom, It Came, It Came"! I quickly swear them to secrecy before Casey gets home from doing service for a member of our church. Brentley almost let the cat out of the bag a couple of times but quickly recovered, which frightens me just a little bit as he now has the skill to keep a secret and recover if he almost gives it up, lol. When Robert got home he called Casey into our room as if Casey were in trouble and asked him how he did with his service work and if Casey thought that he did a well enough job to gain the blessings that come when we do service. Casey felt very confident that he had done a good job and felt that he would for sure receive blessings. Then Robert says, "Well, son the Lord feels the same way" and hands him his letter. It was awesome!! And the reaction that Casey displayed will always be etched in my mind. He is so excited and happy. He carries himself with purpose, and that my friends is all a parent hopes for. ;)

A Visit With the Patriarch

You Wonder What a Patriarch is? You want to know what a Patriarchal blessing is? Well, this is good, because you've come to the right place.

Patriarchs are humble men. They are students of the scriptures. They stand before God as the means whereby the blessings of heaven can flow from that eternal source to the recipient on whose head rests the hands of the patriarch. He may not be a man of letters, a possessor of worldly wealth, or a holder of distinguished office. He, however, must be blessed with priesthood power and personal purity. To reach to heaven for divine guidance and inspiration, a patriarch is to be a man of love, a man of compassion, a man of judgment, a man of God.

A patriarchal blessing is a revelation to the recipient, even a white line down the middle of the road, to protect, inspire, and motivate activity and righteousness. A patriarchal blessing literally contains chapters from your book of eternal possibilities. I say eternal, for just as life is eternal, so is a patriarchal blessing. What may not come to fulfillment in this life may occur in the next. We do not govern God’s timetable. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.

“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isa. 55:8–9).

Your patriarchal blessing is yours and yours alone. It may be brief or lengthy, simple or profound. Length and language do not a patriarchal blessing make. It is the Spirit that conveys the true meaning. Your blessing is not to be folded neatly and tucked away. It is not to be framed or published. Rather, it is to be read. It is to be loved. It is to be followed. Your patriarchal blessing will see you through the darkest night. It will guide you through life’s dangers. Unlike the struggling bomber of yesteryear, lost in the desert wastes, the sands and storms of life will not destroy you on your eternal flight. Your patriarchal blessing is to you a personal Liahona to chart your course and guide your way.

Thomas S. Monson (Oct 96 - LDS Conference)

It's Happening!

Yes!! It's happening!! His paperwork is all turned in, and his interview with the Stake president is on the 20th of March. He is in the process of setting a date for his patriarchal blessing, preparing for the Temple and then? He will wait for his call. We are all so excited for him.

 Casey, we hope you know just how very proud we are of you. We love you so much and we're so happy to hear of your decision to go on a mission. This will be the best two years of your life as long as you stay focused on your purpose and remember that we are all pulling for you to be a huge success. We love you so much! You are a blessing to us and we are so grateful to have had the opportunity to watch you grow. You amaze us!