Setting Apart and Leaving From the Airport: The Beginning

Right after Bradyn was Set apart as a missionary for
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

On Monday December 17th, 2018 Bradyn was set apart by President Vince Wilding, Stake President of the Hobble Creek Stake. President Wilding gave Bradyn a wonderful blessing and really help set at ease a lot of the emotions we were feeling at that time. Before Bradyn was set apart Liana, Todd, and then Bradyn were able to share their testimonies.

Bradyn with all his friends.

After we left the Stake Center we made a quick visit to see Grandma Beth and spend a few minutes with her. After visiting Grandma we headed home and had a house full of friends and family for the next couple of hours. Bradyn has been blessed to have great friends.  We have felt very fortunate as parents for this. We had a great time visiting with everyone and just laughing together. We were even lucky enough to have Elle and Katie make grilled cheese sandwiches for everyone. 

Family Picture right after Bradyn had checked his luggage in.

Then it was the toughest part up to this point, the day we knew needed to come to get Bradyn's mission started. December 18th, 2018 the day his mission call assigned by President Russel M. Nelson said he was to report to the Mexico City MTC. The Day Started around 5:00 a.m. and our goal was to leave the house so we could be to the airport around 7:00 a.m. Liana and Bradyn had packed his suitcases in the days leading up to this day and so everything was ready to go when we woke up. Before we left the house we had one final family prayer ( Final as the 6 of us for the next 2 year). Then off to pick up Grandma and Grandpa Jackson.  We arrived at the airport and walked in and Liana and Grandma Val helped Bradyn check in his luggage. We were able to visit for a few minutes. We had a family come up and introduce themselves as the Jensen's from Pleasant Grove Utah and ask if Bradyn was flying down to the Mexico City MTC. Their son was also flying down. We were then able to meet several other missionaries along with their families who were also flying down. This brought all of us a great amount of comfort to know Bradyn would not be by himself for one minute of his trip. We were grateful for this and looked at it as a tender mercy from Heavenly Father that he was aware of Bradyn and looking out for his at all times. We eventually made our way up the escalator and to security. After a few minutes of hugs and good by's it was time to let him go. We watched Bradyn walk through the security line and continued to watch him until we could no longer see him because he was out of our site.

Group picture with Grandma and Grandpa Jackson

Bradyn's flight took approximately 4 hours and 15minutes, thanks to technology we were able to watch and track his flight the entire way there. We were able to see that the airplane made it safely and  he had landed. A couple of hours later we received a quick email from Bradyn. It was exactly what our family needed and even though short and not very detailed brought a great amount of peace to us. Here is his email,

"I am very happy to say that i made it safe to the mtc. its been a crazy day. the bus ride from the airport to the mtc was the wildest bus ride, or any ride for that matter that i've ever been on. the weather is so nice I'm actually not sweating haha. we got here and unloaded all of the suitcases and that wasn't that bad with everyone here. and then we got in and got our name tags! man it feels good to finally wear it. and then we were taken into this room and given all our books and watched some films and then did some other things to get ready before i got to emailing you. They gave so much information its going to be hard to keep it all straight but i will sooner or later. mexico is so awesome although it smells like the dump. but its all good and the mtc is awesome. I've been able to meet like two other people going to Albuquerque with me. I don't really remember names right now but quickly i will learn them all. 

My p day is on Wednesday. but i'm pretty sure you wont hear back from me until next Wednesday. I don't think that there are p days the first week. my branch is 7 and my district is C and so i think its 7C...? I think that is right. my companion is Elder Black and I have not met him yet. I love you guys and hope your day went well. Ill talk to you guys next week!

Elder Jackson

Also I do get to call you on Christmas and so I will talk to you then!!"

Bradyn and Grandma Beth

Mission Call and Events Prior to Leaving

Family picture the night Bradyn read his call.

The past two months have flown by and we are only a few days away from Bradyn leaving on his mission. A lot has happened over the last couple of months and we wanted to add to his blog a few of the highlights of his preparation for his mission. As mentioned in the blog description we will post Bradyn's weekly letters for all to read. We will also add any pictures he sends for the week. We really cannot adequately express the happiness and joy we feel for Bradyn, for his desire to serve a mission and bring our brothers and sisters in the Albuquerque, New Mexico area to a knowledge of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. Even though Bradyn will be greatly missed we can not forget what it says in Doctrine and Covenants 4: 3-4.  "3. Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God ye are called to the work; 4. For behold the field is white already to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul;". We know, and Bradyn has born testimony, of his desire to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are happy and excited for Bradyn and this next chapter of his life.

Elle, Bradyn, and Savannah

Bradyn opened his mission call on Tuesday, September 25, 2018. We had an opening party at our house. We had a good turn out of friends and family. This is when we found out he was going to serve in the New Mexico, Albuquerque mission. After cheers and excitement Bradyn continued to read and said, " You will report to the Mexico City MTC on December 18, 2018, and teach in the Spanish language." December 18 seemed so far away at that time.

Todd, Bradyn, and Liana

On November 24 Bradyn had the opportunity to go to the Provo City Center Temple and take out his own endowments. This also was a wonderful chance for family and friends to attend the temple and support Bradyn. Bradyn has since been a wonderful example of attending the temple and staying on the covenant path. Bradyn has been able to attend the Manti, Payson, Provo City Center, Provo, and Salt Lake Temples and participate in temple work. We are grateful for his desire to attend the temple and feel the love our Savior has for him.

Bradyn with his friends and the Fiesta

 Finally, on December 9, 2018, Bradyn was able to speak in sacrament meeting (his farewell). This was again such a wonderful experience which was attended by family and friends. The night before we had a family party which Liana and Elle had put together. In keeping in theme with his mission we had a Fiesta where we enjoyed a lot of things  New Mexico will offer to him, colorful decorations, taco bar, pinata, family, and friends. It was a great celebration of Bradyn.

Bradyn and Katie