See ya in 2 years!

Brittan has been sooooo excited to finally be going on his mission! He has been reading lots of fun mission prep books, going to the temple lots, being kind-er than ever to his family ;) making it even harder for us to even let him go! He's been ready for a long time. These next two years are going to change his life-- and I'm sure the lives of so many others. He's prayerfully been preparing, and can honestly say that he has such a deep love for the people of Richmond, Virginia-- and he doesn't even know them yet. He can't wait to be there--- finally, and serve these people. We are so excited for him, and confident that he will be able to overcome any of the challenges he may face out there. He knows who he is, and believes so much in what he's doing. He'll be leaving the MTC TODAY! And flying to Virginia!!!! I'm sure he'll have plenty of fun stories to tell us-- and we can't wait to hear them!

Our goodbyes to Brit....

A week before this picture was taken, Grandpa was put on Hospice-- he decided that he didn't need them after a few days, so he made himself do a 180-- and got back on the road to recovery as opposed to the other road he was headed down.... He's making remarkable progress!!!

Brit had to make sure he got a good dose of hugs from Grandma and Grandpa Johnson to last him the next couple years!

About a block away from the MTC at the BYU football stadium we hop out and take some quick goodbye pics.

Shaye will miss his only brother.... but is just so proud of him, and is so grateful for his courageous example.

Ken will miss Brit... but is excited for him and all of the adventures awaiting him. She's growing so fast.... sure to be at least a head or two taller when he gets back :)

Grandma and Grandpa Sevy sure love little Brit. They were there with the rest of the family up at the church when Brittan got set apart. It's so neat for him to have such a great support group of friends and family that are just so excited for him.

After his farewell at church we had a farewell luncheon for him, with some of his friends and our family that had come to his farewell. Some of his buddies are just about ready to leave on their missions too!

Aunt Angie came down all the way from Logan, UT-- We were so glad she could make it!

Aunt Joyce, and uncle Dean---- hard not to have fun with them around!

Beautiful Grandma Johnson...

Too much yummy food!!!

Uncle Jim and his youngest grandbaby Bria-- sooo cute!

Wouldn't be a party without Jenny! Maria was so helpful in getting everything ready-- she even brought some yummy dishes to add to the buffet table-- thanks Maria!

Ken, Moses, and Elle say "cheese!"

Marissa and Grandma ready to partake of this gourmet feast!

Tara and Shaye-babe ;)

Tara and Trav ;)

The three amigos! Aunt Marsha didn't start any water fights at this family get-together, I think this was a first for her! These girlies worked hard to help get everything ready for the masses of starving people--- okay, not quite masses, but a pretty good crowd.

Brit was set apart as an official Elder for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on Monday, January 31st because Tara and I were going to be gone on Tuesday. So mom got to be his companion for all of Tuesday and the whole family got to be his companions on Wednesday as we drove up to Provo and escorted him to the Mission Training Center.

He had gone to Helaman's Camp and had signed the banner along with his friends,

Helaman 5:12 reads... "And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his might winds, yea his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall."

These boys had all signed this banner long before they'd received their mission calls, but since that time they have all signed their call next to their name... Brittan got to add Richmond, VA next to his ;)

Here's the Provo Temple about a block away from the MTC-- it was gorgeous!

There was a fresh layer of snow upon the beautiful mountains, it was a very white drive up from St. George-- white almost the entire drive!

The MTC-

We had been assigned a spot to drive up to, and could see the sidewalks filled with new missionaries, saying their goodbyes for the last time... until they're home again. There were missionaries that had been in the MTC for a while already there ready to grab his bags and escort him in. The families get to say a quick goodbye outside, the quicker the easier I think. He was a toughy! It would have been so easy for him to become overcome with emotion, but he was strong, probably knew that if he started he wouldn't be able to stop. He kept being silly, saying funny things trying to keep the mood up and light. He had said goodbye and we went to drive away and saw his big winter coat in the car. Just as we'd grabbed it to give back to him, he was running back towards us, because he'd remembered his coat. He quickly grabbed it and said goodbye again then caught up with his escort missionaries --and that was it.

We said goodbye to Brittan and followed the trail of white mountains home. Mom started to cry a little, we all did, but she said that she was crying happy tears, and happy tears are so much better to cry then sad ones. She knows that there is no other place that she would want him to be right now-- and he's left in God's hands, what better place is there to leave him than that?!

He's written us all a few letters since he's been in the MTC, here's a quick summary of what he's written:

He says he misses us but strangely enough is not home sick. He says...."Words cannot describe how blessed I am, you all are amazing!!! Please remember all those people out there that don't have this perfect gospel, pray for them, and pray for all the missionaries like me to be able to touch the lives they teach. I'm telling you that it will absolutely make all the difference, we need that spirit every minute of every day. Thank you all! I love you and I love this Gospel!"

His next letters will be from Virginia! We can't wait!