See you in 2 Elder Blackwell!!!

 Wednesday, August 7th 2013 Brodey entered the Missionary Training Center, but we first had to say bye to some fam!  Brodey has had many mentors the past 18 years these are just a few!

 Brodey, Gramps & Grandma           Ian and Kacee

 Josh, Tiff and Brodey

 Brodey with Grammy and Papa at St. George

 Stopped in at Marysvale to say bye to Grandma Great!

 We stayed the night at Uncle Jerry's and Aunt Becky's!  Thanks!!

 Rowdey giving his big brother some last minute advice!  I think it consisted of "please just put me in your suitcase and take me with you,  don't leave me with the sisters!!!!"

 I am so happy and proud of my boy, who isn't a boy anymore!  What an amazing man he is and what a tremendous missionary I know he will be!  "Forget yourself and go to work" son!!

Father and son!  I don't know what words of advice Jon gave Brodey, but I know Brodey's words of advice to his dad were, "leave my guns and tools alone!"  Hmmmm really not that much control over what goes on here while he's out serving the Lord!!!

 This month Jon and I will be celebrating our 21st wedding anniversary!  Just look what can happen after 21 years of marriage!  Wow!  As you can see Talley is having a very difficult time with sending her big brother out into the world for 2 whole years.  She told me today she is not going to be a mormon anymore, she is leaving the church unless they send her brother back home.  I tried to explain to her that it was Brodey's choice to serve a mission the church wasn't holding him hostage!  She's not convinced yet, hopefully she will be able to see the benefits of sacrifice and service over the next 2 years, and hopefully she comes back into the fold!!!!

 Jon and I both commented on how Brodey started really giving hugs the week before he left us.  He has been famous the last, probably 10 years, for giving "air hugs" or us forcing a hug upon him!  He really started hugging us for this week and I have to say it was very, very nice!!  I think I will always remember his strong crushing hugs he gave me!!  He didn't let go either, he let me hug him as long as I wanted!!!

 James was entering the MTC an hour behind Brodey, so he was at the temple too.  These two have been working together over the last few months preparing to leave on their missions.  It has been so fun to watch them grow together and prepare to serve!  Elder Leavitt and Elder Blackwell, the people of Ohio and Colorado are blessed to have such fine missionaries coming their way!!!

 Colton will be joining the missionary force in a few months.  He is always a supportive and good friend!  Thanks Colton.

 Shiley captured this sweet moment between brothers!  I just love this picture.  Rowdey has always looked up to his big brother and what finer example could he have!!!

The Blackwell family!  All of us together!  We are all so proud of our son and brother!  What a magnificent example he is to all of us.  We are so grateful he is part of our family!

There he goes, Elder Brodey Jonathan Blackwell!  He didn't even look back, press forward with faith!