Farewell

After talking about this day for the last 19 years, it finally came and was both happy and sad at the same time. Today is the day my brother left to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He will be gone for two years and, although I know he will be a wonderful missionary and will have the opportunity to share the gospel with so many, I will also miss him so much.

This past weekend has been a flurry of activity as DJ has tried to fit in all the things he wanted to do before he left and as we tried to spend as much time with him as possible. Sunday DJ had the opportunity to speak in church. His topic was agency and I was so impressed by the thought and preparation that went into his talk. I am impressed that DJ used his agency to choose to serve the Lord. Following his talk we got to visit with friends and family who had come to see DJ. We took advantage of the opportunity to take lots of pictures.

David Alan Hubbard Jr. aka DJ

Sisters, Heather and Christa
Heather and I with Ruby and Adam (who was totally into the picture)
Hubbard siblings: DJ, Amy, Me, Melissa, Heather, Christa

Blurry shot of DJ with my kids. I can't wait to compare how much bigger they will be when he gets home.
Chloe, Adam, and Noah with my grandparents, JoAnn and Leland Johanson

Hubbard grandkids

Johanson great grandkids born in the last year

We had a great time with all of our family, immediate and extended, and enjoyed to getting to see and visit with everyone.

Last night, we were able to go with DJ as he was set apart and blessed in preparation for his service. This was such a special opportunity. The stake president was the bishop of our ward before we all started getting married and moving out. He is such a neat man and the blessings he gave DJ and all of us through him were awesome. President Keller also gave both of my parents the opportunity to bear their testimonies about the gospel. I loved hearing their words. One of the things that hit me the most was when my dad spoke of how it was missionaries that brought the gospel to his parents. I realized that I was one of the people that missionary work affected. Without those missionaries I may not be here living with the blessings of the gospel today. My dad spoke of how still, my gradparents speak of them with such love and how DJ will be that person for people as he finds people who are prepared and looking for the truthfulness of the gospel.

DJ walked out of that meeting as Elder Hubbard and left this morning ready to serve. With one last breakfast together and last minute pictures, we said goodbye to him as my parents took him to be trained at the MTC.

Hubbard family, minus Melissa, Jeff, Allie, and Brian

Dad and Mom (fighting off tears all morning)

Elder Hubbard

I know that it is through missionaries that this gospel is spread through the Earth. Through missionaries my family, as well as Joe's were brought to the gospel. Whether we serve a full time mission or as members of the church we can all be missionaries through word and example. I hope that I can be a missionary here at home, just as DJ will be as he serves the people of St Louis Missouri.