Family Reunion

A few weeks ago we had a " Pack Family Reunion "

It is a rare and tremendous blessing to have all of the siblings, cousins, and grandparents come together at once.

When telling a friend about this gathering it was made known to me that having a family that each person gets along and wants to spend time together is not common.

We celebrate our faith in Jesus Christ when we get together first and foremost and so I am sure that is one reason we all get along.

We all enjoy playing games, hearing stories from each others lives, and talking about similar interests like working out, playing guitar, playing magic games for some, and talking superheroes for the little boys and Uncle Allen .

What a great chance we have to live in a time when we can travel quickly by car or plane, and that our lives are convenient so we can play pirate games by the pool instead of bake our bread and plow the field all day.

What a miracle that we live in a time that the sealing power is on the earth and families can be united after death, forever.

I am grateful for more than a family that gets along, but for a family that prays together, has strong bonds of faith, and devotion to the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Truly, Grandma and Grandpa Pack are receiving the blessings of Abrahams promise and that can be seen as you see them with their Grandchildren.

Three times a charm

Three times a charm, or three times a witness? They say that by the mouth of three witnesses the truth will be made known. I don't know if that counts when speaking of children speaking, but I feel like Brooke has given her witness that she wants to serve a mission when she is old enough.

First, a few weeks ago Brooke proclaimed to  all of us in the car that she used to not want to go on a mission, but she kept seeing that every single missionary she met is so happy, so she decided she wanted to go on a mission.

A few days later when talking about cousins and how old they are, Brooke made the comment that she would be on her mission at the time they had reached that age.

And lastly, yesterday Will asked Brooke if when she turned old enough to get an apartment, if she would get one with an empty room so he could put his pet ferrets in it? And, not just one, but an entire room full of ferrets, just for him? Brooke actually stopped and thought about this. I saw her pause, and you might think her answer would be, " No! I don't want a room full of your ferrets in my first apartment!" But, instead, she thoughtfully considered and realized that her first apartment she lived in,

she would be on a mission! She said, " Will, they won't let you have pets on your mission and my first apartment will be when I go on a mission! "

Even if she changes her mind when she is old enough, it is a blessing to hear that Brooke has been touched by the happy spirits that missionaries possess.

It is a blessing that while most teens think about what their first apartment will have in it, my teenager didn't take thought to what she would have, but what she was planning to give to the Lord.

That's my treasure that you have felt of the truth of the Restored Gospel Brooke.

Brooke I know that the happy spirit you have felt has come from the fruits of the spirit which those sacrificing what some would call the greatest years of their lives,  (because of freedom to party, no parents to give rules, and having as much fun as possible before committing to a person or job) ; rather calling the entry into adulthood the greatest years of their lives because they had every min. And hour to sacrifice for the building of God's Kingdom on earth.

So with your witness, I add mine that you will be happy as you seek the Kingdom of God and if you spend time teaching the gospel, as you enter adulthood.

I am grateful to have such a daughter and more so blessed to have a plan and forgiveness from our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Love, Mommy