This past Wednesday, Brayden turned 12. We sent him balloons at school since the days of taking cupcakes to his classroom are over. My sister Dynelle was in town. Her daughter Audrey was also born on August 31st, so we threw one big party together at Naples Park. Mother Nature made her appearance in the form of bees, hail and wind....but we persevered with happiness. It turned out to be a wonderful party.
Brayden was made a deacon on Sunday. It sure meant a lot to him to have his Grandma Helen and Grandpa Dave there. My parents were in Logan for Rebeka's baby blessing (Garrett and Emily's baby). Although I can't believe he is old enough to be a deacon, my heart is full to watch him live a life worthy of the priesthood. I can't wait to watch him pass the sacrament.
Our stake is doing the handcart trek next summer for the youth, including 12-year-olds. I am so grateful Brayden gets to experience the trek. I experienced it as an adult and it strengthened my testimony of the gospel by leaps and bounds. I can't imagine what it will do to a 12-year-old. This afternoon we went to the cinema to watch 17 Miracles, which is a movie about the handcart company. The movie was incredible. It surpassed my expectations. I highly recommend it...but I will warn you, take tissues because I wish I'd had!
