Halloween Fun

I thought it would be fun if everyone posted their Halloween pictures on the family blog so we can enjoy all of the fun costumes. TJ suggested that we dress up as the Scooby-Doo gang this year. I thought it was a great idea and we had a lot of fun putting the costumes together.

Our Trunk-or-Treat party was lots of fun and we came away with way too much candy. Afterwards, we visited our Grandparents and didn't get home until 10:30. For our family of early-to-bedders, that was super late, but we really had a great time! Thankfully Halloween was Friday night this year!

We ran out of Scooby-Doo characters so I had to be the monster. The kids didn't like mom as a mummy but I had fun!

Opening the Call

We thought you might enjoy watching Rusty open his mission call with the BIG hunting knife dad made for him. The knife was presented to him at the Val Vista Ward's "Enos Journey" for the priests, a spiritual journey in the mountains where the young men have an opportunity to experience a testimony-building experience alone in the woods, similar to Enos.

We wanted all of you to be here when he opened the call, but since that wasn't possible, we hope you enjoy listening as he reads the call he received from President Monson.

Called to Serve

On August 29th, Rusty received his call to serve in the Rome, Italy Mission!

He is so honored to be called as a missionary and is so excited to be travelling to Europe to teach the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. He leaves November 19th for the MTC and will leave approximately January 19th for Italy.

We are now getting all the preparations complete to send him on his way. This week we purchased a new suit, a few shirts, etc. and he is working on the paperwork for his visa. He still needs to get an extra pair of glasses, complete the immunizations needed for overseas, and buy luggage.

He is excited to learn Italian and got a head start by taking a semester of Italian earlier this year. Hopefully he will continue to increase his vocabulary and begin reading the Book of Mormon before he leaves.


We've done a little research on the Rome area and find the climate to be mild -- it gets up to the low 90's in the summer and the winter is similar to Phoenix. The food, obviously, is supposed to be fabuloso -- and frankly, the food will most likely be a highlight of his mission, since his mother is not well-known for her cooking prowess.

We understand there has been property set aside (not sure if it's dedicated) for a temple in Italy. We also understand the work is slow -- and understandably so. It will be like trying to convert the LDS population in SLC to Judaism. But, the Lord loves and understands the people and blesses his faithful servants. Go Rusty!