Dylan's 1st Letter!

Every day after we put Dylan in the MTC, I have been checking my email. Dylan said that he would email me and let me know his new address. Well, an email never came. We got home on Saturday, and low and behold, we had a letter in the mail. Yes, I started crying again, but they were tears of joy! I was so happy to hear from him. Here is his letter.

July 17th 2013

Dear family,

Today has been a good day/crazy day. First there was leaving you behind, then there was everything we had to jam into today like getting to our room and getting our keys, name tags, IDs, and a bunch more stuff. Then we get to class and the teacher speaks nothing but Portuguese. Haha. But today has definitely been a great day. The food here is great and its like the Cruise - there is like a million things to choose from. They even have the soft ice cream machines.

My companion is Elder Palmer. He is a little bit different. Then I have Elder Ence and Elder Stevens in my room. They are definitely a bit different too. Then we have one more set of companions in our room too - Elder Buch and Elder Madson. So we have 6 people in a 2 person room. Its really stuffed. But its amazing and I'm doing great and I'm already learning tons. We already have 3 sets of investigators. Its pretty crazy because its only my first day. But its Awesome and my teach is so dang awesome! I already love her.

But I love you guys and hope that your not worrying about me because I'm fine. The gospel is true and the church is true.

Love,
Elder Blake

For any of you out there that would like to write to Dylan, his address is:

Elder Dylan John Blake
AUG 26 BRA-SPS
2007 N 900 E, Unit 2
Provo, UT   84602
Dylan.Blake@myldsmail.net

He can only read email on his p-day, but another way to get in touch would be to email him through www.dearelder.com. I guess they print the letters off free and daily for those in the Provo MTC.

I know that he will receive a ton of letters and prayers! We definitely have a very supportive family!

Just knowing that he likes the food and won't starve and that he is already learning a ton is like music to my ears. I am so glad that he is doing so well and that we were able to hear from him. I can definitely tell that I am going to look forward to his p-days and emails. Can't wait to hear more!

The Worst Day of My Life - But Also the Best!

 

Well, Dylan was supposed to fly to Brazil on July 16 and attend the MTC there, but of course, his visa didn't come. Most of the missionaries going to Brazil have not received their visa in time. So on July 4th the Stake President said he got an email stating that Dylan would be entering the Provo MTC on July 17 at 12:30 pm. Wow, I honestly can't believe it is here already.

The night before Dylan went into the MTC, we sat up and had our last mother-son heart-to-heart. I told him how proud I was of him and that I knew he was going where he was supposed to go. I told them that even though he was doing the right thing, things would not always be easy, that Satan would always try to get to him, but that every answer to any problem is found on your knees and in the scriptures. If he turned to the Lord in everything, that Satan would not be able to get to him. It was definitely an emotional time for both of us.

Well, the day arrived and we decided to go to the Provo Temple and take some pictures. I guess it is sort of a missionary tradition.

I seriously held it together until now. Then I totally lost it. My boys all saying goodbye to each other, just kind of did me in. It was seriously so touching.

Then an emotional goodbye with father and son - man the tears were really flowing now!

After this we got in the car and went to the MTC. We drove through the gates at 12:22 pm. You see several security guards and one of them asks if you are dropping off a boy or girl and they put a sticker on your car. You see several more guards on the way. One of them heard me crying (yes, I was crying that loud - sobbing actually), and said, "You aren't crying already are you?"

Then you go down a long alley/driveway where missionaries are lined up all along the side waving to you. And before you know it, you pull up and get out. We took his suitcases out and gave him one last hug. Then he was gone - last time I can see him in person for two years! And we were exiting the MTC by 12:27 pm. In 5 minutes, my life and his life changed forever - both definitely for the better!

I have given birth to four children and had one horrible miscarriage, and yet through everything, nothing was as hard as dropping Dylan off at the MTC and knowing that I would not see him for two more years! I know he is doing what was right, but my heart is truly breaking into a thousand pieces! I know he is where he is supposed to be, but I will sure miss him - we all will! Love you to the moon, Dylan and so proud of you!

Dylan's Setting Apart - and Last Family Pictures for Two Years!

On Monday, July 15, 2013, Dylan was set apart as a missionary. The Stake President sets all missionaries apart. It was not an easy day for all of us. Goodbyes were said all around. Things I remember from the blessing

• Dylan was promised that he would learn the Portuguese language if he had patience. It would not come all at once, or not come easily, but it would come.
• Many blessings would come his way if he would become humble and remember the Lord in all things.
• He would have his health and strength and his knee would heal.
• He was told to let things at home go and not let whatever was happening effect him on his mission and to not worry about things.
• He was also told to let the Dylan of now and the past go and become the new man that the Lord wanted him to be.

I was so emotional that that is all I remember. It was a beautiful blessing though and how lucky we are to have wonderful people to give blessings like that.

I have no idea how I ended up with no pictures of my family or Grandma Blake, but I didn't. It was definitely not intentional, I just think I was too caught up in the moment to think. Here are some great pictures from that day.

Emotional goodbye to sister!

Saying goodbye to the baby he won't meet until it's 1 1/2.

 

 Having some fun with Jordan!

 

Although I didn't get a picture of everyone, my mom did!

 

Before we went in to the church for Dylan to be set apart, we were all waiting in our cars because it was raining so hard. After about 10 minutes of waiting we turned around and right behind us, there was a beautiful, bright double rainbow. Grandma Blake said it was Grandpa's way to let Dylan know that he was here - Grandpa crying tears of joy! We are so blessed!

More Baseball

The baseball season is almost over. The regular games have all been played, but we still have a couple of tournaments that the boys will be playing in.

This is Kolar's second year in baseball and his first real year pitching. He pitched once or twice last year, but that's it. He played so good this year and I think that he really enjoyed playing. His team didn't win too many games, but he learned a ton and had fun.

Playing third base.

Pitcher.

 

 

Batting stance.

 

Conference with Dad.

Dad as third base coach.

 

Double to right field.

Second base.

On third base.

And the slide in home!

This could be Jordan's last game in Little League. He can probably play next year, but he will also be playing on the High School team. He is a great picture and hitter. He has improved so much. He did get one quality from me though, he cheers his team on. You can usually hear him cheering from the dugout or the field. He is a great leader.

Pitching stance.

His brother holds his breath, just like him.

 

He can throw so fast.

 

Walk home.

Double hit.

 

Infield rally.

 

 Team rally.

 

These cute kids came for Dylan's farewell and are staying until after the 4th of July.

 

 Bridgette and Jens.

Uriah.

 

 Noah.

It was so fun to have little kids around - Noah, Uriah, and Jens are so cute. I love the summer time and watching baseball. There is nothing better, in my opinion, then watching my kids play. They are all such great athletes. I am so proud of them.