Josh's friend, Eric, received his mission call to the North Carolina Charlotte Mission.  This is the same mission his older brother, Michael, served in.  He was hoping for Guatemala, but has faith that the Lord has put him where he needs to be.  Eric's parents both served in the Guatemala Quetzaltenango Mission and met in the mission field.  They've been so excited for Josh as he's known and prepared for his mission.

Josh's quick email to let us know he made it to the MTC in Guatemala City safely! Hey mom, I don't have long to write, but I made it safely. The plane ride was awesome. The sunset was beautiful. We made it to Guatemala and the traffic here is crazy, they are maniacs down here. It is beautiful.  We are starting to learn spanish and they gave me a buzz cut, smh (Translation: so much hate).  But it is going well and I’m having fun. A lot of missionaries were at the airport with me. I’ll write you next week, bye. 

I know we're not supposed to call it a Farewell, but that describes it!  I think Josh may have invited a million people and I'm grateful he has so many family, friends, and ward members who love and support him.  Josh spoke in church about the Family Proclamation.  Vinny was the youth speaker and Kelly Zierse (Josh's former Young Men's President and family friend spoke as well).  They all did a great job, I know as Josh prepared this talk, he was thinking of several loved ones and hoping that he'd be able to portray the importance and reason he was choosing to serve a mission for the Lord.  He hoped that they'd feel the Spirit and have their hearts softened to the point that they'd choose to act and find out more about the restored gospel. If you can't hear the truth from someone who loves you, who can you hear it from?  When you're choked up and feeling like your heart is going to burst, that feeling is the Spirit testifying that what you're fee...

Amber graciously took our family pictures the weekend before Josh entered the MTC.  It's our last complete family pictures for 2 years.  We've even got a couple with Octavia, Vinny's new furry friend.  It was a crazy day, we spend most of it on the sidelines at a soccer field while Vinny's team participated in a film.  Fans on the sidelines were necessary also and all proceeds went towards the team's tournament fees for the year.  Thanks Amber, you've got mad skills!

Josh graduated from seminary and Vinny received his certificate for completing the Book of Mormon yearly class.   We're so proud of you!  (Shout out for persevering and not ditching seminary like many of the youth in our ward and graduating, Josh!)   Josh with Isaac Matua, his elementary school buddy, who stuck with the program as well.  Isaac brought the leis to share, so sweet!

It was Josh's turn to go inside the temple today.  He received his endowment at the Bountiful Utah Temple.