You only turn 21 once!

I remember talking our friends, another married couple, and we decided that we would all go to Vegas because 3 of us turned 21 the same year. It turned out we were both pregnant when we turned twenty-one, and didn't exactly feel like partying. Kevin bought all of this Steelers stuff and had it set up when I came out of the room and told me it was for my birthday. I told him that if this wasn't a joke then he would get a 3 second head start before I came after him. He had gotten me a diamond bracelet which he presented very quickly and I still think about this time in my life whenever I where it.

Today my brother Greg turned 21. Although he probably always imagined he would not be at home for this birthday I don't think any of us guessed he would be in a small town in Brazil, melting in the heat, and probably have no one mention Pearl Harbor to him for once in his life. I am sure that he will also always remember this day fondly though I am sure he was a little sad as it marked the last birthday he will have in the mission field. We now his flight plans and are all looking forward to January 26th. He has been so impressive in his duty to serve. He never doubted the reason he was there and worked tirelessly with the people in Brazil. I think he has learned how to deal with difficult people and less than ideal situations. I hope he has cemented his faith in God, as that is something you rely on your entire life. He has worked so hard as he has been taught to, and is another faithful missionary to come in a long line of men who have gone before him. I remember distinctly the night he was set apart. I was still working at the doctor's office and we had late night, and it was cold and dark and I was frazzled by the time I got there. But once we got into the room and heard the prayer and blessing that was given to Greg all the negativity off the real world was able to disappear. We were all sad to have to say good-bye to our sweet peacemaker and his very funny humor, but we all knew he was ready then. What a great thing that the Lord can take a nineteen-year old boy and throw him into an unknown culture, speaking a foreign language, away from friends and family and turn them into tools in His hands. Both of my grandfathers had passed away in recent years, but that night during that blessing we all knew they were with us, close as could be, and we knew they were ready and excited to go with Greg as he served, and that they had been doing some preparatory work before he got there.

Now it is our time to be excited, I am looking forward to the jokes and the stories as only Greg can tell them. I am ready to laugh so hard I can't breathe and to see if he remembers any of his old dance moves. I can't wait for him to get to play with Berkley and to see how much Braelyn has grown. I am looking forward to the few weeks we will all share together before we do this all over again and send the baby of our family to where he is needed.

Happy Birthday Elder Greg- you only turn twenty-one once, and you couldn't have done it any better!