Our Little Tiny Baby Got Baptized

Yet another EPIC event to document from the summer of 2023...Mae's Baptism - which event she shared with her darling cousins Margot and Emmett. Grandma spoke, Cheryl sang. The Nally's (including Trevor and Kimbrie) came to visit, so we were surrounded by family (and therefore, joy)! And now the entire Gordon crew, including Mae, is united in a covenant commitment to Christ. It kinda makes me feel unstoppable. I'm so grateful that God gives us family, provides us His priesthood, and lends us His power.

 

Nolan Goes to College

This was a first for Scotty and me - dropping a child off at college. It is a scary thing. Unlike on a mission, no one is there to hold his hand. But Manhattan has got to be the coolest college town I have ever seen, which is high praise from me after graduating from NAU. And the fact that we were able to find him an affordable apartment and a stand-up roommate is a downright miracle. So with God's grace, forward we go, into the unknown! And since Nolan is now officially a Wildcat, so am I...go Cats!

 

Fun Friend Time & New Family Move-Ins

As if two siblings in Kansas were not blessing enough, God has also sent me my big brother Scott (and his awesome family), who just moved here from South Carolina. I seriously cannot believe this. When we moved to the Midwest a decade ago, we thought we were moving away from family forever. We love Kansas and all our newfound friends, but we missed our family. Now we somehow have both! Our kids LOVE their cousins. And I love my brothers and sisters with all my heart! We are having the best time going on group dates, celebrating holidays, gathering for sunday dinners. I realize it is such a gift. Still, I treasure our Kansas friends and I'm grateful we have built a strong tradition of spending time with them as well. I honestly believe the deluge of blessings all around is a direct result of serving and sacrificing for the Lord. He just keeps pouring out love on our heads. It's almost too much for us to receive.

 

Saying the Long Goodbye to Colby

Doing this is the weirdest thing. You want him to go so bad, but you hate to see him leave. You feel empty and awful as he walks away, but you'd be devastated if he gave up or came back. You worry about him and pray for him and feel the pain of separation every day. You want to ease the way for him, but you also want him to have some struggle. You want him to get something good out of it. You want him to be stronger, better, and more capable when he comes back.

I guess I see where God was coming from with the whole "mortality" thing.

I bet God gets me.

Return with Honor, Elder Gordon.

Hurrah for Israel!