Our little missionaries

What could possibly bring us more JOY than to have our boys doing missionary work??? The answer -- dunno, because it is a pretty cool thing!!

As a part of the Youth activities at church this month, the Young Men and Young Women were called to serve as a missionary in the Florida Jacksonville Mission. And served they did, for about 6 hours in total between their training earlier this week and the ministry to other ward members this evening.

Elder Martin and his companion Elder Powell

(the other) Elder Martin and his companion Elder Hayes

The St Johns Ward "junior" Missionaries

Kenny thought the whole experience was pretty cool -- hence the thumbs up :). All of the kids were invited to share their testimony from their experience. While we didn't get to hear it ourselves, several of the sisters who were there said that Kenny's was very sweet. We were told it included something about the dinner he had before doing his lesson (it was Ratotuie), and something about Jesus as a baby. When we asked him about it on the way home, he said "Yea, I was talking about that guy, his name starts with a J...". CRACKS me up!!

Had to snap a pic of the boys before heading off to the church, I really must snap more of these sweet moments!

It was a pretty neat experience to have the boys prepare for this evening. Starting last Sunday when they received their letters. On Monday we helped them to prepare for their discussion about the Restoration in our FHE, and on Wednesday they were asked to report to the Youth Missionary Training Center Jacksonville South Stake Center in St Augustine, where they further prepared to preach the gospel (complete with lessons on leading a discussion and an obstacle course)!! Come today, I think they were ready to go!

I am so thankful that we had this experience together as a family. Missionaries have always played a big role in our lives, making sure to keep us connected to the church as we've moved all over the east coast. We love missionary work, and know that the boys will be ever so blessed for being able to participate in it!