F.Y.I.

Most of you probably already know but I thought I'd share the info about the coming weeks festivities:

• Jan. 23rd- This coming Sunday!!!
  DP's Farewell Talk11:00 AM @ LDS Church Building in San Tan Ranch
  Between Germann & Pecos on Higley
  3544 S. Atherton Blvd.
  Gilbert, AZ 85297
• Sunday Jan. 30th
  DP's Open HouseCome & go starting @ 6:30
  @ The Pedersen Home

That's pretty much everything before the BIG day!!!  He'll be set apart, making him officially an Elder,on the evening of the 1st & then depart for Utah on the morning of Feb. 2nd for the MTC, where he'll be in training for 2 weeks... Then on to Washington for the next 2 years! So if you can, anyone & everyone is welcome!  Lend him some support & bid him farewell:)

WOO HOO!!!



Heel click... WOO HOO!!!



  In the picture above, DP pretty much sums up all of the emotions felt during this phase of life for everyone involved in the process of  DP becoming a missionary- hence, the title of this post!:)   This last month was fantastic as he took a couple of giant spiritual steps towards achieving this goal. Earlier in the month, DP was ordained an Elder & received the Melchizadek Priesthood- now he's able to bless & baptize!  Then on New Year's Eve, he took his endowments out in the St. George Temple- a great way to end 2010!!!:)  The love & support DP received was overwhelming, all from friends & family that were able & unable to share this special day with him- The Pedersen's thank you all for that love & support!



All the family that attended from left to right:
Shad, Uncle Ryan & Aunt Dede, Mom, DP, Dad, Mamma,
Aunt Meggin & Uncle Daniel, Shane & Lonna. 
(Not pictured is Aunt Lexa, who was taking this pic!:))



The Momma & her son!

DP & the proud parents

This was too sweet not to post...
Mamma & her 7th Grandson!:)

 It was an amazing & special day  for all- one that won't soon be forgotten!  As mentioned in previous posts, we are all so very proud of you DP... Keep up the good work, Brudda!

A Priesthood Duty

I saw this today & thought of my brother... :)  Just a few weeks before he takes this next step in his life. It's just amazing to me to see the man he is already becoming all because of this decision to live up to his "Priesthood Duties" & serve the Lord... 

I sure do love you DP & am sooo very proud of you!  Thank you for the example you have set not only for our brothers, but for your nephews, our cousins, & all of our friends.  This is a great thing you are going to do & I know you will be great at it.  Obviously, there are brothers & sisters being prepared for you to teach & bring them the light that comes from the Gospel of Jesus Christ..... Look out Washington!;)

"You are hereby called to serve.........."

...... in the EVERETT WASHINGTON MISSION!!!!

  Well it's not Russia like DP was hoping for:)  But this is pretty much the next best thing & he's still pretty excited!  We've been told by a lot of people that it's a beautiful part of the country & he's always been a rain-lover so that's not going to bother him one bit.  He reports to the MTC (Missionary Training Center for those followers who are not LDS:)) on February 2nd.  Which is perfect because DP just got a seasonal job with Costco that ends in January...  Funny how these things just work out, huh?  Time to save some dinero for that mish... and a RAINCOAT!;)

Here's some shots from "The Opening!"  The last 2 came out blury (In my defense, I was operating the video-camera as well!) but it's pretty clear what I was trying to capture:

Most everyone that was there to support our future missionary... Feel the love DP!:)

Opening..........

Again... Blury but those are definitely smiles all around!

One proud Mama!:)  Those are tears of joy that he didn't get called to...  well, basically any 3rd world country or anywhere that would send his finger back to us for a ransom!:)

  Now the REAL countdown begins!


  I can speak for my whole family (This is David's oldest sister, Lonna, doing the blogging, btw... Mom wanted me to make that clear...) when I say that we are all so proud of you & this decision you've made to serve our Father in Heaven, DP.  It's such a sacrifice for a missionary to willingly give 2 years of your life to this great work & you are no exception.  But I know that the Lord has prepared/is preparing some brothers & sisters there in Washington for you to reach out to & teach the Gospel.  You've set quite the example & set the standards high for not only Jase & Shey, but your NEPHEWS & younger cousins, as well.  I know the Lord is going to bless you for all these things... We love you D!

Happy Day!

  No, no.... Not a happy day because DP got a call in the mail....  Slight bummer.  AND I have to change the coutdown again!  Haha  I'm not quite sure which day I should be aiming for now.  Next Tuesday perhaps?
  Anyway... Today is a happy day because it is David's birthday!!!  Yup.  19 years ago today, the peace & calm in the Pedersen household came to a screeching hault & ultimately ending the reign of the women!:)  Happy birthday D!  We sure do love you & are proud of you...

COMING SOON!!!

I've had to change the countdown to the call several times now due to lots of changes in when the papers were submitted... It is currently set to this Thursday which is also DP's 19th birthday!  WOO HOO!!!!  But, I was told that Dave was informed yesterday by his bishop that his call was sent last Friday.  Which means it could be here as soon as TOMORROW!!!

The suspense is KILLING me!!!:)

Now to wait...

  It's official!  Soon-to-be Elder Pedersen met with Pres. Riggs, the stake president, one last time last night & his papers are sent!  Now to wait for the call... The countdown is an approximation but it'll be cool if it gets here by then!:) 

  We've had guesses for Ely or Las Vegas, NV.  Chicago.  Canada  Eastern Europe (Somewhere cold, like Hungary or Switzerland, I guess.) Australia or NZ (Highly doubtful considering the amount of family down there but I suppose it could happen!:)) I guess we'll find out in a couple of weeks!