Steadfastness in Faith

Hey!

Now I'm going to tell you a little bit about this past week. It's been really rough and really good at times. I just really need to work harder at not beating myself up all the time and not looking on the few bad things that I did during the week and I need to focus on the many things that I did right and all the wonderful things that God has blessed me with. It will take some time but I'm willing to change and I know that if I do all that I can that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ will help me further along. Personally I feel like I haven't done as well as I should've done this past week, and I hope that I can do better. The Scriptures are doing so much to help strengthen my testimony and they are such a big help to me to help answer my questions, and they help me find out how to answer other people's questions to the best of my ability. I'm still going through Mosiah right now, and I have gotten more out of the scriptures with the help of President Fenn's scripture marking card that he gives to all the new Elder's coming in. I hope that when my package comes that you will enjoy the gift and I hope that you will try to find your connection to someone in the scriptures as well. Mine right now would have to be the Brother of Jared. No, I may not have the amount of faith that he had, but I do know that I wouldn't be here without the help of the Savior and with the help of all those around me. 

I want to challenge everyone this next year to think of something that you want to work on that is related to the gospel. Then I want all of you to then look through every book in the Bible, Book of Mormon, D&C, and the Pearl of Great Price, and I want you to mark it as you go through and read this next year. We all have things that we struggle with and things that we fall short in, but if we use the Scriptures that we have today and use them to help us improve in those areas we will for sure see improvement as we go through them. Always remember that you have to work towards it with faith and strive to have our Roots of Faith deep into this gospel. Then we have to nourish it and make it stronger as we go along, and we have to do it or else the tree will be ripped out of this gospel and we will slowly wither away like a plant not rooted into the ground. I challenge this to all of you and hope that you will try to find your Steadfastness in Faith and plant yourselves so that Satan and his followers WILL NOT be able to shake you with their winds of trial and hardship.

Thank you all for everything that you all do for me, I love all of you. May peace be with you and may you have His spirit to be with you.

Love,

Elder Gatlin

Monopoly

Canasta

Elder Kupferer & Elder Gatlin

Elder, Elder, Elder Lane, & Elder Gatlin

Studying

Scripture marking key from President Fenn

Christmas Phone Call

Merry Christmas from the Gatlin's Dec. 2018

We loved seeing his happy, shining face!

He has become quite the studier

His name badge

Yield

Well HEY! This week has kind of been amazing and I love it. At transfer, Elder Devine moved out (sad face) but in exchange we got Elder Bastian! He is the coolest guy ever. He and I are almost exactly alike and It's great. We talk all the time about things we relate on and games we played before we came out. It's perfect. A lot of stuff has happened, I have given two tours to non members this past week and those tours have been the most spiritual tours I have given yet! I know the spirit was helping me get my point across, and I know He was there with me. One of the people I gave a tour to was from France. He had a flight layover, and he just wanted to know more about our church and what we are all about. He was really touched and I wish I could've spent a little more time but he had to catch his flight. I just have one spiritual challenge for the week. I would like you all to read in Mosiah about King Benjamin and his sermons to the people. I have been reading in there and I have felt the spirit super strong during those chapters. But my real spiritual thought is about part of that. In Mosiah 3:19 it says "For the natural man (or woman) is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father." I really like that verse especially when it says YIELDS! that is a big thing in the verse, we have to be willing to submit to his counsel and yield to it and accept it and have a willingness to serve and to change because if we don't, we won't change and we are BOUND to die in our sins if we don't try to change and Yield to the Lord and Savior to change. I leave this with you and hope that you all are doing well, I love you all very much and I can feel your prayers and your support especially around this Christmas season. May you turn your thoughts to him and align your will with his and you shall be blessed.
Love, you all and Stay Beefy!
Elder Wyatt Gatlin

Christmas Tree at CHL. So Pretty!!!!

One night last week we just tied to make the stupidest faces

together as an apartment, and I snapped one of Elder Lane

Love the Guy!

It was a busy day at the CHL and me and Elder Devine just flopped

on his bed and Elder Dunn stole my camera and took a picture.

Tried to take a pic of what we looked like, didn't turn out how I wanted.

Picture of all of us and a few gifts from 12 days of Christmas

box that Elder Devine's parents gave him to share with the apartment.

Merry Christmas from Church Headquarters Missionaries!

The Pride Cycle

It's super cool to hear that Spencer is skiing, I'm glad that he has something to keep his mind busy and off the fact that I'm gone. I also love the fact that you are all jamming out to Christmas music for me, be sure to sing extra loud for me on the Sugarland songs for me cuz I personally love that Christmas album the most. Hugh Jackman!!!! Are you Kidding me!? That will be super cool, I'm jealous that you get to go see him in a concert sort of thing. We're going to have to have some fun times together when I get back to make up for all the lost time, and knowing dad I could've told you that he would want to go. Mom....really? It's Wolverine himself why would he pass up an opportunity like that? But anyway That's super cool. I'm super happy for Mayce and super happy she is engaged, that's a big step! I honestly can't wait to see the Last Avengers.....but that's awesome that it comes out on your anniversary, Super awesome anniversary gift for you both right? You should go down to Hurricane and see it in the VIP Theatre Seats. For the Run you should have a shirt that says something like "I'm running for my missionary" or something super spiritual like that, plus I'm glad your getting a really good vibe about this next years run. You will have to tell me how it goes. I'm still pretty skeptical about the Grinch movie but if you say it's good I will at least give it a chance. I Promise I won't open my gifts for Christmas, It's just not right to open them before than. That's a funny story about Helaman because I'm actually reading that book in the scriptures and thats what we talked about for our Book of Mormon Class with President Fenn on Monday. We went over Chapters 6-9 on the Pride Cycle through the Nephites. It's really cool to hear and see the cycle and how long it doesn't take for the Nephites to be Prosperous and Prideful, then they forget the lord and slide into wickedness, then they slowly Humble themselves and then they remember the lord and become Righteous again, Then Prosperous...etc. It really doesn't take that long and It's kinda scary if you ask me. But I like in Hel. Ch 8 v. 14 - 15 "Yea, did he not bear record that the Son of God should come? And as he lifted up the brazen serpent in the wilderness, even so shall he be lifted up who should come. and as many as should look upon that serpent should live, even so as many as should look upon the Son of God with faith, having a contrite spirit, might live, even unto that life which is eternal" It is so easy to fall into wickedness but it could also be just as easy to follow the Lord, look upon him holding fast to that "Rod of Iron" and "Looking" up to that "Brazen Serpent" when we are in our hour of need and continuously follow that path that is the Straight and Narrow. That's my spiritual thought for the week, Transfer is Tuesday but I just got put into this zone and I really don't know why I would get transferred out right as I just got put in. It does get hard on some days, really hard on others, and some days are just flat out fun. Even though this first month has been really hard; I know that this is what the Lord wants me to do, and this is what I need to do to help bring me closer to the spirit. I Love all of you very much and I hope that all of you are also trying to find your Perfect Brightness of Hope in the Gospel. I can feel all of your prayers and I pray for you every night with all my heart. Keep singing for me and keep "Marchin' On....One Republic" real good song, listen to it it's great. Have a Fabtabulous Week and as Always.........Stay Beefy!

Christmas Blues

First off, thanks for all those winter Hershey Kisses! I love them and all of you! This past week was a decently hard one...I just kept thinking of the Christmas all around me and how I'm away, and I get a little down, but then I think of all the amazing people around me and the Mission family I have up here and it brings me right back up to where I was. Other than that, I'm doing really well. Everyone in my zone loves me, President Fenn loves having me on this mission. I bring a real party to exercise and to my apartment, life is good. I wish I could take pictures of the super cool things we have on display in the Church History Library, but they are really old documents and they are being preserved and photo's aren't allowed. How's everyone back home? How's the reading coming and what are some spiritual thoughts you guys have? How was Fast and Testimony meeting? I hope that you are having a wonderful Christmas even though I'm gone. I feel really bad for Spencer, I wish I could help but all I can do is pray for him that he will feel comfort and feel God's love & know that I love him just as much and I hope his missing me gets better. Thankfully Elder Dunn didn't get anymore Protein powder, he already has like 70 pounds of it on our little table along with the Christmas tree on top of THE 22POUND BUCKET OF POWDER HIS DAD SENT HIM!!!! Jeez his dad is nuts, but hey I still love the guy and his dad. I'm glad that Lexi is doing well and I also send my best to Bradyn and am proud of him for learning that song. We went to the Christmas Devotional and the Music and the Spoken Word. All throughout December Music & The Spoken Word is in the Conference center and we have front row seats. I loved the Christmas Devotional and all the motivation and the wonderful Christmas messages all the wonderful church leaders have to say to us all, but I'm actually pretty sad that President Oaks nor President Eyring spoke but it was still a really good meeting and I loved it. I am super happy with my zone because we have a new assignment that started this week and we are listening to Conference talks from the 1940's!!!!! They aren't available to the public yet. That's what me and Elder Lane are working on. We are marking where the talks start and if the talk is in the session at all. It has to be completed before February, so when it is done they are going to snip the audio and make them available on the internet. Sorry mom, you can't listen to them yet. It's super cool, and I love that they are yelling over the pulpit as they get into the talk and feel passionate about their talk. One talk really stood out to me, It was the Presiding Bishop of the church, Bishop LeGrand Richards April 7, 1940 and this is what he said, I can't remember the exact quote but I remember most and the general Idea. "These bodies are the Tabernacles of the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit WILL NOT dwell in unholy tabernacles. These bodies are not ours, but Christ has payed for them with a price, and he who defiles it, he should surely die." There were a few parts that I left out because I can't remember the whole thing but that part really hit me because we kind of overlook the Word of Wisdom. We think we know all of it. But those commandments that we think we know and kind of just brush off the shoulder are the most important ones. When we brush them off Satan can find a way to get a hold of you. We need to stay vigilant and stay on the covenant path and stay righteous. Also, Immorality is a Sin placed right next to the shedding of innocent blood in Gods eyes. I really think we sometimes need to look at ourselves and see what areas we are lacking in and see where we need to improve to be more on the covenant path. I tell you these things to tell the family and to tell the Priesthood Quorum. (Part of an email Message to Dad) I really miss you dad and I really miss the family. I hope you are doing well, and I will be sending you and mom a special book for each of you to have and I hope you will treasure it and find the promise and the spirit that dwells with it. I hope you are doing well and hope that you can continue to be that anchor for me and the family and I will try to do the same for you guys and everyone else back home. I Love you Dad! Merry Early Christmas! Special Dad? Lucky Young Missionary? Love you for all eternity, Your young missionary Elder Wyatt Gatlin (Part of an email Message to Mom) Well mother, my time is up. I love you to pieces, and I hope that the spirit will be with you to comfort you, and I hope you can see mighty miracles this next week and see the lords hand in your life. I am very special to have you as a mother. See you soon, and as always....Stay Beefy!

Pictures and Pride

Thanksgiving was a 4 day weekend technically because we had zone Saturday, but it was on a holiday lockdown and we couldn't really do anything. It was catered by a new incoming restaurant up here and all of it was amazing. All the desserts were made by senior couples and all of them were stupendous. I sort of hurt myself because I didn't stretch. I threw the ball wrong and sprained my rotator cuff but I'm back to normal now so no worries yet. I know to be more careful and stretch till I feel comfortable before getting involved with the activity of the day. I'm pretty sure I hurt it because we didn't stretch before getting involved and we have exercise at like 6:45 and we didn't stretch but all is better now. Packages aren't really restricted just as long as it isn't a Knife or blade, a Gun, or a Bomb. I also can't have headphones cuz mission rules but everything else is totally ok. I can have just about anything up here cuz the stuff I can't take with me out to zone just stays in the apartment and I just do stuff with it later after I get home. Elder Lane is super funny when he isn't even trying to be, and Elder Dunn and Divine are also in my apartment. The 4 of us together are just a real party and we have lots of fun. Elder Dunn's father sent him a ton of protein powder like 3 huge tubs of it and we were kind of amazed but we are just going to have a lot of protein shakes. I will be either needing or getting a CD player at some point, better soon then later though, because you know how much I love to listen to music. I'm glad to hear that everyone is doing great and glad that all of you are taking my challenge seriously and I'm glad that you are understanding it all thanks to the helper book you bought. I honestly am really loving it up here, but every now and again I kinda get down on myself wondering if I have the Lord with me, and if he is supporting me, and if I did something to someone in my apartment or on the mission to offend them in anyway because they are kinda dodgy around me. Then I just turn to the Lord and pray for His help and guidance to help me feel of His love and spirit. Art/Drawing has also been a real help to me these past weeks. I have been able to express my emotions better and help people understand how I am feeling in the moment if I just put it into an art piece. The other Elders in my apartment love to see my artwork and they love having me around because my happiness and my excitement is I guess contagious but I just like seeing other people smile.

Now for my Spiritual Thought. I just started reading Jacob because that's my way of studying, I bounce all over the place and not a set order of scripture. But I was reading in the first three chapters and how the Nephites had started turning wicked and evil because they had money, and all matter of expensive things and they stopped looking to the Lord and they just started looking up at themselves in the pride of their hearts. Then Jacob comes in and starts to preach them and make known their wickedness and their abominations, and they start to feel guilty and very slowly start looking at the Lord again. I really want all of us to take a look at ourselves and admit to ourselves the areas where we are either overconfident or we are prideful and humble ourselves to change, because if we aren't open to change we then cut off the holy spirit and he won't be with us because we don't think we need to learn anything. So take an area where you are prideful and take a step back for a while and try to be less prideful and see how much you change, because I know that if you do that you will be blessed and you will feel the spirit even more. I love all of you dearly and feeling your prayers really helps me on the days where I get down, and it helps me back up. 

Thank you so much, see you soon, and Stay Beefy!

My Schedule to the best of my knowledge

Every Morning!!!!!!

6:30 Wake up

6:45 Exercise or Scripture study (Personal & Companionship) Showers, Food, etc

7:30 Get home from Exercise on days we have exercise

Everyday Routine

9:00 Leave to get to zone

12:00 Lunch

1:00 Back at zone

4:00 Leave for dinner at apartments or where ever we choose

6:30 Night zone on days we have something/ Devotional with President Fenn

Evenings

8:30 Return to apartments

9:00 Curfew, Each elder to his own apartment. Free time

10:00 Lights out

P-Days:    WEDNESDAY!!!!! I SCREWED UP ON MY LAST EMAIL! P-DAYS THIS TRANSFER ARE ON WEDNESDAYS!!!!

Regular Morning Schedule.

We get to choose when we do Emails, Laundry, Shopping, etc 9:00ish to 6:00ish

but it has to be before 6:00 when we go to Night Zone

8:30 Regular Evening Schedule

Sundays:

6:30 Get up showers and food. Our apartment always invites someone over every Sunday which is really cool

9:30 Music and the Spoken Word (optional but I'm going every week)

10:00 Back to apartments

1:00 Church

4:00 Back to Apartments

4:30ish, Dinner appointments with Senior Missionaries. (If we have been selected for one. Not all Young Elders get one every week)

After Dinner is Regular Evening Routine

10:00 Lights Out.

I hope this helps everyone know my schedule a little bit better and I am way sorry for telling you wrong about my P-Day. This is my everyday schedule for this transfer Sorry for the misunderstanding

Elder Divine, Elder Lane, Elder Dunn, & Me

Tree at Joseph Smith Memorial Building

Strained my rotator cuff playing dodgeball

Beautiful view from my apartment. 

Elder Dunn's inner demon

For Lexi =)

Elder Bartholomew using a scarf as a blanket being funny

Spotted by Family Friend!

It's always a nice surprise to be in church and one of your super good friends texts you a picture of her and your son on Temple Square. They were both at Music and the Spoken Word. 

Spiritual Email between Father & Son

Hey Bud,

I hope all is well with you. Did you receive a transfer this week? If so, what area are you serving in? Also, what are the different areas? 

We are plugging along here. Spencer has stayed in his every night since moving into your room. And that is a wonderful blessing. Bradyn and he are not fighting as much also. Lexi has her "Lexi" moments. 

We are following your counsel and trying to read Isaiah. We purchased a book from Desert Books that should helps us better understand it. We have only read the first chapter, so it has been a slow start but we will keep plugging away at it. 

Your mission will be what you put into it. I know if you put your all into it, you will enjoy it to its maximum capacity. You are such a great example not only to your brothers but your peers here. The Bishop has asked that I speak in our Priesthood Leadership meeting in December. The Stake President and his Councilors are concerned with the low numbers of missionaries going out form the Stake. We a currently at 20% of those who could serve. I've been asked to speak on how I can encourage our youth to serve. As the young men president I felt it would be a good idea to have monthly discussion from the Preach My Gospel. This past week I address who many of the youth may feel as though they are not prepare to serve a mission. I wish Tanner and Cole would have been in there as I related how Moses felt as if there was some one else better suited to lead the Israelites. Moses felt like he was not "eloquent" enough and "slow of speech, and of a slow tongue" (Exodus 4:10). Yet the Lord explained "Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou salt say" (Exodus 4:12). I felt this important as we may not always feel "eloquent" enough to be a spokes person for the Lord but once we except to serve Him, He will be our mouth and teach us what to say. 

thank you son for being the example you are to all of those who know you. I know you are a great missionary and will be a great instrument in bringing other souls unto our Heavenly Father. Continue to follow the mission rules and be that example unto your follow missionaries. You are a great young man! You are missed here, but we all know you are where you need to be at this time, and we willing to make that sacrifice. 

Special young man, Lucky Dad?

Love you

Dad

Wyatt's Reply to his Dad

I have a message for all those in the priesthood group that may not know if they are ready to serve a mission that I would like you to share next week and here it is. I know that as Deacons you are starting to learn more about a mission and how vital and important they are to this gospel. I encourage all of you to study in the scriptures more! If you aren't reading at least 30 min a day you are denying the guidance of the holy spirit in your lives, This goes for all the Elders as well! The spirit of the lord is trying to touch you and help you in the gospel but he can't help you feel the power of the spirit and he can't help expound your knowledge and understanding in his truth if you aren't open to the gospel and if you aren't willing to read the scriptures each day with diligence and in humility with a mind open to his counsel and guidance. I ask you dad to share that please. I'm also glad that you have had a Spencer free bed and its really comforting to hear that the family is drawing closer to each other and trying to take heed to Isaiah's words and his magnificent council. I love that you are reading it but now I ask you all to do one more thing. After each chapter that you complete I would like you to take a verse and expound on it. Try to find what message its sending forth and take that topic and express your feelings on it. I hope that you will have a fabtabulous week and I hope that you will all think of me at this wonderful time of year of Thanksgiving. I hope you all look for the Lords blessings and all he has to offer. Goodluck, see you soon, and Stay Beefy!

Unshaken Faith

Hey!

My P-Days for the next month or so are going to be Tuesdays. I did start later because Transfer was yesterday and we had a young elder conference so we had to go shopping later in the day. Yesterday was so good! We have been doing some family search the past week and I found 10 family names! I did all the baptisms, confirmations, and initiatories. Of course we were kind of crunched for time and Elder Allison and Elder Walker didn't have names because they were doing other stuff in the week. We just split the names that Elder Wacaser and I found between the 4 of us, and we each had about 4 or 5. My new companion is Elder Lane and my new apartment group is super fun. I can't wait to have a real party with them. We weren't able to totally move in when we got all our stuff in there because the peeps in the apartment before us kinda didn't prepare to move out, and they took an hour and a half to get everything moved out. Even though they said that they moved out there was still a ton of stuff in the fridge and most of it was moldy and we had to do a deep clean just like we used to back home to get everything clean. That wasn't fun and it smelled...."great" =( When we finally got moved in and all of our stuff organized it was probably 9:30ish. Kinda annoying, but I hope other transfers go smoother and less annoying as this one.
Now for my spiritual thought for the week. I have been reading in Ether (probably one of my favorite books in the Book of Mormon). In Ch 3 It made me really think of faith and how we have to have that strong faith in this work and this gospel. The Brother of Jared had such faith in the Lord Jesus Christ that he would be able to make the stones shine forth so that they would have light in their ships so that they could see, even though they couldn't steer at all because the lord was steering for them. After the Brother of Jared had told the lord what he wanted to have him do; he saw the finger of God and he was frightened because he didn't think that the Lord had flesh, blood, and bone. But the part that really struck me was "And he answered: Yea, Lord, I know that thou speakest the truth, for thou art a God of truth, and canst not lie. And when he had said these words, behold, the Lord showed himself unto him, and said: Because thou knowest these things ye are redeemed from the fall; therefore ye are brought back into my presence; therefore I show myself unto you - Ether Ch 3:11-12. and the one part that I would've put there after would be "Because of your unshaken faith in me." So I would like to challenge all of you that read the emails I send out to be like the Bro. of Jared and strive to find your unshaken faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Because I know for a fact that if you strive for that you will see miracles and wonders worked among you. I know for a fact that Joseph Smith was a true prophet, and I know with my unshaken faith in this gospel that Jesus Christ has worked miracles in my life, and he will do so in yours. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. 

Well I hope everyone will have a great week and as always "Stay, Beefy!"

The First Email

Hey!  It's been kind of a weird week for me, but I've been making the most of it and doing my best to stay positive. My companion for training week is the other new elder that came in with me on Monday, Elder Wacaser, we mostly get along but there are a few things that he does that pushes my buttons sometimes, but I don't let it get to me too bad. He is kind of like dad sometimes, he snores and I don't get good sleep some nights. But I have been able to sleep through it somehow these past two nights.

It's actually really fun up here and a lot of things remind me of the times that we have spent together up here. Just so you know they don't have the Sword of Laban up here. They told us in a powerpoint about all the various areas that we can serve in. We had a Q & A with President Fenn, our mission president, last night and Thursday night. That was really special in my opinion because he is a wizard when it comes to the scriptures. He knows so many scriptures that he can just totally pull out of his back pocket without even looking at the Book of Mormon at all. He is a really cool mission president and I hope that I can enjoy my mission to maximum capacity. 

So this week since its my training week I have today (Saturday) as my P Day. I won't be assigned an area till Tuesday, but my training companions are Elder Walker & Elder Allison. They are amazing, and I hope I get paired with one of them before they head home. We have fun and do things that make us die of laughter. I found out on Wednesday that Elder Allison and I are direct 12th cousins which was pretty cool. The Family history Library is super cool because the main floor is 100% interactive and you can learn so much down there. We play dodge ball for exercise days in the morning and everyone calls me a pro just because I am able to make it to the final 4 every time and win most of the time. We also were pelting bouncy balls at each other in the hallway where we are living, With Elder Allison, Gorman, and myself.  I did have something profound happen on Thursday night though. I know without a doubt that it was the voice of Jesus Christ but I heard it say "My Son, Thy Sins have been forgiven thee..." There was some other stuff that was said after that I really can't remember but I just felt so at peace and so loved by all of you and by our Savior. 

Me and Elder Walker have cooked some stuff. Tonight I'm cooking the breakfast burritos for dinner. They won't be as good as yours or dads but it will make a close second with what I have. We have been eating how I usually should and I heard that most people gain weight on the mission, but I'm going to be that one that doesn't gain too much. I am making sure that I limit what I eat, in a good way. I'm making sure that I don't eat so much that I'm blowing up and dying on the floor. Also, after I eat I make sure that I burn it off with some apartment workouts that me and my training companions have been doing.

My schedule changes daily but I'm getting to everything on time (10-15 min early) and getting done what needs to get done. I really don't know what my schedule will be like next week because transfer is Tuesday and I won't get it until I get assigned to an area.

Good News!!! I can listen to all sorts of music! So if you could send me a few CD's with some Lindsey Stirling, Piano Guys, David Archuleta, and Zelda music that would be fabtabulous. 

I hope the reading of Isaiah is coming along nicely. I just hope that you will take my challenge seriously. Yes I know Isaiah is hard, and I know that it's hard to understand but there is a whole lot of good doctrine in there, and I have gained a better insight and better knowledge of the scriptures through the words of Isaiah. 

LOVE YOU ALL SO VERY MUCH! As my favorite youtuber would say.... Goodluck, see you soon and Stay Beefy!

Sustained by Angels

As President Fenn (Wyatt's Mission President) was talking to us before we parted ways with Wyatt he said that the first week is always the hardest, but that it gets better after that. He said that the Lord would sustain the missionary and the family with what they needed to get through. He said it wouldn't be more than we needed or less, but just the right amount. I will attest that for the family, it was a super rough week. Spencer cried every single day. Lexi was moody. Bradyn drove everyone crazy. Brady was quiet, and I (mom) had a feeling of hollowness that I have never before experienced. No matter what I did, it was there. I have super copings skills so this was very new to me. I couldn't talk about him or I cried. I had friends hug me ready to listen, but I couldn't share. Friday, November, 16 exactly five days after saying goodbye I walked into my office at work and there was a missionary survival kit for moms. It was truly an act of love. Even though it was supposed to be anonymous, it had Leanne Skougaard's signature trademark of never ending love and service for others. I am truly thankful for her gift. It was so thoughtful and not only helped me, but also my children. They loved going through it and reading what everything was for. President Fenn was correct, the first week was hard, but ministering angels helped us through. After hearing from him via email Saturday, life has been much better. My hollow feeling is gone and we all just feel peace.

Lexi learned about Mission Headquarters in Seminary the day after we dropped him off and she felt a strong peaceful feeling that he is where he is supposed to be. At first she was like "Why are we learning about this again, we already touched on it." But then as the lesson progressed she realized it was a gift from Heavenly Father to help her.

The Send Off

Wyatt reported to the Joseph Smith Memorial Building at 7:00 a.m. on November 12, 2018 to the Salt Lake City Headquarters Mission. Wyatt reported on his Grandfather Roland's birthday and his dad served in the Salt Lake City South Mission 33 years earlier. The day started meeting the missionary coordinators Brother and Sister Marrott as well as the Elder's he would be spending the week with before being assigned a companion. Another young man was reporting to the same mission that morning with Wyatt as well as a couple that was serving while awaiting their Visas. We were taken to the chapel in the JSMB that was once a ballroom. We attended a devotional with Wyatt before taking some pictures and saying our goodbyes. Spencer cried through the whole devotional. He was not wanting to say goodbye. Everyone struggled through the closing song "God Be With You Till We Meet Again" The song was meant to be a goodbye for the handful of missionary couples leaving the mission, but was really just a horrible way to torment our family. I don't think I will ever be able to sing that song again without reliving the sadness felt that day. Kicking him out of the car at the curb and just ripping the bandaid off probably would have been a better option. Mom was the only solid rock that day as she felt someone had to be strong since everyone else was falling apart, including dad! Mom made everyone wipe the tears and smile as we got some "happy" pictures together and then goodbyes were said. Wyatt gave advice to all his siblings: He told Spencer to be a good boy, keep his room clean and help mom. He told Bradyn he has to be the priesthood holder and be the man of the house when dad isn't home. He told Lexi to stay strong in school, stay away from temptation and talk to mom and dad. Mom told him it was time to swallow his tears and serve the Lord. It was a rough day for all. Spencer couldn't get through dinner without thinking that Wyatt was sad. We are anxiously awaiting the first email on Saturday and the official beginning of Wyatt's Mission Blog.

Sister Fenn, Elder Gatlin, President Fenn

The end of the day Spencer was very sad and worried that Wyatt might be sad too.