Email #2

Hey Mom, I have 2 30 minute email periods this is the first, I told the elders to wait till like 11:00 for the next one. Right when I get on Ill send you one right away ok! I am doing better, I did not ask for a blessing yet I just dont feel ready. I expressed a lot of concerns in the last few or couple letters I sent you, please know I was a little dramatic and I am doing better. I have prayed a lot for comfort and have received it! I find comfort in your letters to me! Thank you mom! I am sorry I have been terrible at writing but you have kept them coming left and right! You are the perfect example of Christlike love to me mom! I think about our date at Calls and I cant wait to come home in 2 years and we will go there again! I LOVE YOU MOM! Tell dad the kitty means a lot to me that he put in my scriptures, so does your card you put in my patriarchal blessing! I pray that youll know how to answer my letters and Im soo sorry for the stress I know I cause you guys! I have been praying a lot and asking for strength and help, sometimes I worry about my worthiness but if I can manage to get lost in the work I can set it aside, the struggle is just beginning to get lost in it. It is hard for my body and mind to be in the same spot at the same time. I miss waving bye to dad when he goes to afternoon work and I miss being at home with you and talking to you, I miss your voices and I wish I would have spent more time with my brothers before I left. I feel like a jerk for that and I miss you all! I got a sweet package from the Wises and a couple dear elders from Andy and Jordan Haramoto and all my family and bishop and grandma and Lyn. There might be a few more but Im trying to hurry and say what I need to say because 30 minutes of time on a mission is like the blink of an eye. I dont know what you guys think, but Im beginning to think that time is going way fast. I hope I am worthy to stay out here, I explain more of this reason in my letters I sent home. I sent 5 letters home yesterday to you all and am excited for you to get them. I got to go now. I will be back on. I love you mom!

Package #3

I found this idea here 10 gifts

I also sent a set for his companion too.

Here is a close up of the card I sent (I made it)

The first letter and first email

Brady was very stressed and it hit him that he wouldn't see us for 2 years. It was hard on him. He worried about everything and was very homesick. I am so thankful for the Dear Elder service. Because Brady went to the Provo MTC, I could send him a little note through Dear Elder and he would get it in his mailbox everyday. It really saved him for those first couple of weeks. 

His first letters are very personal, so I am not going to post them. I did get a picture of him and companion in that first email though.

Elder Briton Hansen and Elder Brady Wikstrom

Package #2

I sent a package weekly while Brady was in the MTC. I also included his companion when I sent it. I forgot to take pics of the second package but I did the gift of tongues. I got a DUCK DYNASTY cup and filled it with "Tongue" candies...like Fun dip, zots, suckers, etc. 

The Drop Off

So, as a mom, this is the hardest thing Ive had to do. I cried for a couple months at the thought of not seeing Brady for 2 years. Having said that, drop off day was a really good day.

First we went to eat at Olive Garden.

Then we went to the Provo Temple to say our goodbyes. We had no idea what to expect when we got to the MTC

It was a nice day and Brady was in a good mood telling us he was ready to go.

We were early to the drop off, so they werent in a huge hurry. We had time to say goodbye.

And off he goes

First package

I wanted Brady to have a package the day he got there, so I sent one before we took him to the MTC. He didnt know how mail worked, so he didnt get it until the next day but he loved it. I got the idea here MTC Survival Kit

Set Apart as a Missionary

Brady was set apart as a missionary at 9:00 at night.  This is our family.

(Carson, Cole, Suzanne, Brady, Jeff, & Tyler)

Grandma and Grandpa Morley were there

Maddi, Allen, and Lyn were there

Aspyn and Taryn came too

Then we went home to pack. Several friends came to say their goodbyes.

We were up late.

Farewell

We sent a few of these invitations out for Brady's farewell. We also posted on facebook. There was a good turnout for his farewell, and Brady gave an excellent talk. The spirit was strong.

Afterwards, we went to the city building for lunch. We had a good turnout there as well.

We felt loved and was happy that so many came out to support him.

Temple Day

We had a really nice day when Brady went through the temple. Afterwards we went to eat at Maddox. The Hardys, Lyn and Allen, and Grandma and Grandpa were able to go with us. We went through the Brigham City Temple, and we could only take 8 people due to limited space.