Makenna Speaks in the YSA ward in Berthoud Before Leaving on Her Mission

Father’s Day was an extra special day for Damon as we got to attend Makenna’s YSA ward and hear her speak. She did beautifully! In one week she will be set apart as a missionary! Wow!!

I did not take any pictures all day- as it was a little bit of a busy day for our family with lots of comings and goings between ward responsibilities and our busy young adults and youth. Such is life at the Stewart’s these days. But we did get to spend it together, which was great. And Damon doesn’t love how camera crazy I am sometimes. So I suppose you can say it was my bonus gift to him!

He enjoyed his morning sleeping in a bit- no meetings today! Although Kaden had one! Haha Then a yummy breakfast of German pancakes topped with with peaches and cream, and some breakfast sausage hash browns, eggs and bacon topped with cheese (leftovers from camping which I doctored up). And Bryce gifted him his favorite -chocolate milk! That hit the spot!

We all dashed off to our wards and meetings and from there to Berthoud for Makenna’s. It was a fun surprise to greet so many of her young adult friends. YSA wards are so awesome! Bryce had to dash out for other responsibilities. But Kaden stayed for 2nd hour and experienced the fun of a YSA ward!
From there, Damon and I dropped Alyssa at home and I joined him for an urgent visit which required a bit of a drive out and back. On our drive, it was a sweet moment to talk about our love for this precious daughter and how prepared she is for her mission.

We joyously recalled a favorite moment in her sacrament meeting singing the hymn, “High on a Mountain Top” just before she spoke. During our travels to Nauvoo, we discovered Makenna’s bishop, Bishop Johnson, is also a direct descendant of Joel Hills Johnson! So it was a sweet opportunity to connect our family tree this way- and we are grateful to them for suggesting to add that into the program. We love her bishop and his wife!

That hymn though…my voice caught on every word, and I could barely croak the words out as I imagined Great, great, great ….Grandpa Joel beaming at his posterity, and uniting our voices in song as this missionary work continues to go forth through his posterity- her bishop guiding these young adults, and this granddaughter ready to embark. Just as he envisioned. Makenna is already spiritually ready, and has a firm testimony of her Savior Jesus Christ. She is ready to share that with the people of Chile.

 
“High on a Mountain Top
A Banner is unfurled
Ye nations now look up
It bares to all the world…”

After our short trip, we grilled up -his choice - grill cheese sandwiches. I’d hoped to do some meat on the new grill, but he truly wished for grilled cheese. The kids all helped create a nice meal to go with- corn on the cob, brownies, and green salad using the lettuce from the garden. Damon loved that we used that lettuce which we planted. He is easy to please.

We ended this special day studying the scriptures as a family, enjoying dessert, and with a few fun presents.

 
My favorite gift was the card Bryce found! Kaden was super inspired to get him more lighter sticks. Kaden doesn’t even know how bad our lighter was when we went camping! So inspired!

We ended the evening playing clue. Damon won- as usual. .