Our first letter and email from Elder Wilcox

I was so excited! We got our first letter from Elder Wilcox.

I brought the letter into the house and started running around yelling “I just got a letter, I just

got a letter, I just got a letter, and I know just who it’s from!”

Dad and Bryce weren’t home yet so Britt called to see where dad was and he was at the dump and he rushed right home. Bryce was on a run so we had to wait for him to get back. I didn’t let the letter out of my hands.

Britt was jealous because I wouldn't let her touch the letter.

I finally put it down so I could take a picture. Then I picked it back up again.

Everyone tried to get it to see what the front looked like, but I had a serious death grip on that thing. I even unloaded the dishwasher with it in my hand.

Finally everyone was home so I got to read the letter out load. This is what it said, "

On July 25th we got our first email. It reads:

Mom and Family (because I don't have enough time to write emails separate),

Thanks so much for the letter and for talking yesterday! It really meant a lot. I've seen quite a few people here that I've known. Lots of kids from high school, a kid that was in 4th grade with me and then moved, and I've seen Ben, Quinton, and Will. Quinton actually went and got Ben yesterday and brought him to my dorm last night so we could talk. What an awesome guy! He leaves today, and because I was talking with you and President Hacken, I wasn't able to take the group picture, but Ben and I are meeting up before dinner to get a picture.

Yesterday was so amazing, especially last night. We had a devotional and the guy talked about why we are here and how important it is. It was absolutely what I needed to hear!! He gave all types of quotes and stuff.

Sorry we only have half an hour to write letters on the computer, so Shelynne I'm going to write you a personal letter. Dad I'm going to have to include yours here's with moms. Sorry I hate doing that, but we have like no time to write. We played volleyball for our gym time and I actually blocked a kid with one hand!!! Haha everyone was laughing pretty hard. Then I had a dang good hit right at the line. Birtt, you would have been so proud. A couple of the guys in the district asked if I played in high school, but I told them I learned from my awesome sister.

I really was struggling yesterday, but I know that it was the advesary, and he had me pretty good. I'm doing better now though, and I am going to call on Thursday to talk to ya'll ok?

Today was P-day and it was so nice and relaxing! We didn't do a whole lot during the day, plus we got to be in regular clothes, which I forgot how much I actually liked. lol. We were all able to sit in our room and talk and relax. Elder Bybee is a great guy with an amazing spirit. I kinda feel like I have to take charge with lessons and stuff, but thats ok. My favorite Elder in our room is Elder Rupp, the district leader. He actually is dating a girl that was in my ward at BYU. He is such an amazing guy! I also saw Bryce today, so I went up to him and started the conversation. I started by telling him that I was suppose to tell him his family loved him, and then we talked for about five minues. It was kinda nice to talk to someone again I hadn't seen for a while.

Britt I sent you a letter today, and Shelynne I also sent yours off. I just barely got your letter from July 22nd though today! It takes forever for mail to get from Logan to here, so if you guys can work it out so I can get some every once and a while, that'd be awesome. Dad, thanks so much for your email. I didn't get to read the poem, but I can print it out and look at it soon hopefully. We've only been to the gym twice, and we've played volleyball both times. The devotional was awesome last night, plus we have one of Tuesday with a general authority. It will be great to have that experience again. Last night everyone started singing Come Come Ye Saints. At the end we all stood up and sang and the Spirit was so strong!!! It was exactly what I needed after a really tough day.

I really need ya'll to do me a favor. Will you please call President Hobbs and tell him that I apologize? I didn't say anything real mean, but I was pretty determined and I think it hurt him a bit. Tell him that I am extremely sorry.

I'm glad to know that I am in your prayers, because you are all in mine. I think its really great that everyone in the ward said the things they did, and that Mom got really popular on her facebook wall. Just a side note, I think I am going to meet with President Hacking on Thursday, so thats when I would call. I don't think Dad or Britt will be home, but that will be ok. I'm also going to ask President if its possible to put in a transfer. I'm not really struggling with the language, but I feel like I would be so much more effective as an English speaking mission. We'll just see what happens. I really think that I would actually be better off only being here for 3 weeks rather than 9.

I love you all so much and its so great to hear from you. I have 2 packages waiting for me, because the mail room has been closed since Saturday! It will be awesome to see whats insdie those packages! I'm thinking I am going to pick them up early tomorrow! :)

This gospel is so true! It is the only true gospel on the Earth today. We will all be so blessed for me being on a mission and ya'll sharing me with the world. Heavenly Father lives, the Holy Ghost is real, and Jesus Christ is my Savior! He knows everything that we are going through and will help us so much! I love this gospel with all of my heart.

Can't wait to hear from you again! Love you all,

Elder Wilcox :)

Elder Wilcox leaves for the MTC

Today was a very hard day. I wanted to make sure I had remembered everything that Skyler would need for the next two years. I had checked off list after list. I had been planning this day for months but when it came right down to it, it was much harder that I had thought it would be. Luckily both suitcases weighed exactly 40 pounds. He didn't have to worry about that going to the MTC but he will when he leaves for Texas. We all loaded up in the trailblazer and headed down to the MTC in Provo. The kids all sat in the second seat so they could be together for the ride down.

This picture is amazing! Elder Wilcox looks so happy and ready to serve the Lord.

We arrived at Applebee's in Provo around 12. We wanted to eat at the Texas Roadhouse but it didn't open til 4. Skyler wasn't as hungry as he usually was. I think he was kind of nervous for what lied ahead. We were all trying to make this luncheon last as long as we possibly could.

Skyler and I eating our onion rings in our own special way.

I passed this trick along to all my children.

After we got done eating, we drove up by the temple to have some private time with Skyler. Of course I had my camera and wanted tons of pictures.

Elder Wilcox and his Dad

The Carters and Elder Wilcox

Brittanee and Elder Wilcox

I just didn't want to let go. He has grown into such an amazing young man.

Our family with our reflection on the car representing eternity.

"Families are Forever"

Elder Sheldon Skyler Wilcox

Elder Wilcox and his sisters, Shelynne and Brittanee

Our last hugs before Elder Wilcox went to the MTC

We will all miss him so much but know that he will be blessed and so will we.

As they were walking away the Host asked Elder Wilcox where he was going and Skyler said Texas and then he asked him what language he was speaking and Sky said Spanish and the host shouted out in Spanish, "Ah, the best language in the world". There was a smile on Sky's face and we all knew we would be in good hands.

The ride home was very quiet and subdued. I tried to be strong but things just kept reminding me of Skyler. I want to be the best missionary mom ever. I am going to try, I said try, to learn a little bit of Spanish here and there. I may be watching Dora on TV sometimes, or being tested by my girls, but some how I am going to pick it up. I know that the Lord called Skyler to serve in Texas, McAllen with a Spanish speaking Misison and he will be a great missionary.

Preparing for the MTC

Today was a very hard but amazing day. We had so much to do to get Skyler ready to leave for his mission tomorrow. We kept busy all morning trying to get everything organized and packed. Around noon, my mom came over. She brought Skyler a chocolate cake and some raspberries.

Then we all went out to eat at Angies.

Some of us had lunch and some had breakfast.

It was yummy!

Since I didn't have time to teach Sky how to iron and sew on a button, I asked my mom if she would fill in for me. Sky looks really thrilled.

Skyler's suitcases were almost packed. This was a very hard job for me. It's hard enough to pack for two years and not have your suitcases weigh over 50 lbs. each but its even harder to pack to say goodbye for two years.

Later that night, around 6:30, President Hobbs came over to our house to set Skyler apart as a missionary. We invited Mimi and Papa and Grandma to share this special occasion with us.

President Hobbs gave Skyler an amazing blessing. He blessed him from the crown of his head to the souls of his feet. He also blessed him with good companions, good health, to overcome homesickness quickly and many more blessings that he needed.

Sheldon giving his missionary son a hug.

The four musketeers

Skyler and his Grandma who loves him very much.

Brittanee was having a hard time.

She is really going to miss her brother tons.

Proud parents of Elder Wilcox

Bryce, Shelynne and Skyler.

My amazing children.

I couldn't ask for better kids.

Shelynne is going to miss her younger brother.

Group Hug!

Mimi, Papa and Skyler.

They are so proud of him.

"Our Family Tree"

Elder Wilcox and me.

I sure love this boy!

We had raspberry shortcake afterwards. I knew it didn't matter what I served as long as it had raspberries in it for Skyler. They are his favorite.

It was so great to have Bryce here helping us and answering all of our questions. He actually started Skyler with his first tie swap. Bryce let Skyler pick one of his ties to take on his mission. I guess this is what the missionaries do in the field. Of course Sky picked the one that had crimson and gold to remind him of Logan High School.

Skyler and his older brother, Bryce

Today was a very special day that we will always remember.

The Last Day

On the last day before Skyler was ordained an Elder, he went off roading with some of his really good friends. Before Sky came back home Kyle gave him a gift. It was a CTR ring. Kyle told Skyler to take that on his mission and whenever he saw it to remember that he had already converted one person. On the inside of the ring it said, "One Moment in Time"

Later that night, He went out on a date with Shayla. He got to take Shelynne and Bryce's car (the egg) They went and ate at Firehouse and then went and watched Harry Potter 7 part 2.