Our Newest member of the Church

There he is....Taylor Hayes Child. Baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on September 29, 2007. Just 18 days after his eighth birthday.

Taylor with all the Priesthood holders that where present; Brother Kano, Grandpa Donald, Dad, and his brother Justin.

His beautiful family that was there to support him in this big step!

Taylor asked his big brother, Justin who just got home from his mission, to baptize him. Justin was honored. His Dad confirmed him a member of the Church.


Gotta get that "bad-boy" pose in even on this spiritual day.

"Now what do I do?.... Endure to the end??

Justin is Home

Well, Justin has been home for about nine days now. It has been great! It was so wonderful to pick him up from the airport. We all sat at the airport waiting for his plan to arrive at 11:06 p.m. and waiting...the plane was delayed until 11:27 which seemed like an eternity. Finally, there he was coming down the escalator. I took pictures, gave him a big hug, and took pictures. The kids held up a big sign saying "welcome home elder Anderson", and gave him a big hug. Steve gave him a big hug and said, "welcome home son". It was kinda awkward at first, what do you say?...so we said "how was your mission"? and he said, "good". Then we realized we had to be more specific. We questioned him all the way home. When we got home, he opened his two suitcases full of memorabilia from Panama. Then we put the kids to bed and me and Justin stayed up until 3:00 talking. I was so tired, but I couldn't go to bed. My son was home! He's been going through the adjustment. It has been hard at times because he feels so stressed to get going with his life, but it has been great too. He has learned so many things. We have gospel discussions and he has tons to contribute. We got him going on signing up for school and he is working with Steve. He will adjust just fine, it just takes some time.

Just one more week

I am way excited! Our missionary, Elder Anderson (Justin) comes home one week from today. We are going to pick him up at the airport at 11:06 p.m. Not the greatest hour to take seven children up to Salt Lake and wait at the airport, but I would go at 2:00 a.m. with twenty children if I had to to get my boy! Well, I say boy, but I am sure that I will find a man at the airport. A mission does amazing things to a boy. You send them out all immature and with the best training and teachings of the Gospel as you where able to give them and then letter by letter (or email by email) you see your little boy turning into a man and gaining the greatest testimony of the Savior. Sharing the Gospel with those who do not have it on a daily bases does amazing things to ones testimony.

I am sure that Justin will have a lot of adjusting to do when he is home. He plans on signing up for school and working with Steve. But it will be a huge adjustment for him where for the last two years everything was Gospel centered. I am excited to have him in our home and and I am sure his diligence to the Gospel will rub off on us some. Just having two missionaries out has made us have a stronger desire to live the teachings of the Gospel.

I think when Jared comes home, I will miss having a missionary. I will be thrilled to have them both home...safe and having served honorable missions, but it will be sad in a way too. It has been the greatest experience to read their letters and hear of the people that they are teaching and to feel of their love for them. We have been blessed greatly by giving our sons to the Lord. He has kept them safe and taught them much.

It is very bitter-sweet. It is heart-wrenching to let them go not to have contact with them except through letters and the two phone calls a year....but you feel extremely blessed the whole time they are gone and you don't want the time to ever end....yet you are counting the days until they return. The ultimate in bitter-sweet. I love it!

Elder Anderson (Jared) Serving in Des Moines, Iowa

Jared is the one on the right

Elder Anderson (Justin) Serving in Panama City