On a cold November weekend, Brad and I flew to Provo, Utah to visit our son Brandon, attend the temple with him for the FIRST time, and hear him play with the BYU Cougar Marching Band. It was a magical fall weekend with beautiful Wasatch front sundowns and brightly colored fall leaves still clinging to trees.
The band practices in this empty parking lot with the picturesque mountains in the background.
A rare look at Brandon with his trumpet in hand!
Appearing in front of the Provo, Utah Temple, Brandon has prepared himself and is ready to learn more concerning our faith and commit to serve during his 2-year-mission. He will be working with the spanish-speaking people living in Utah Valley--point of the mountain to Spanish Fork, Utah. He will spend 2 months in the Provo, Utah Mission Training Center where he will study and learn Spanish and other important materials used during teaching people interested in learning more about the LDS church.
The sacrifice required to participate in this experience may seem daunting (putting off college completion, funding the entire mission on your own, giving up relationships with family and friends, not getting any monetary compensation, etc) however, we have seen hundreds of young men serving LDS church missions of this age group grow in emotional, spiritual, and physical stature and put themselves far ahead of their peers who may still wonder about their life's goals and direction.
Brandon will be surrounded by exemplary mentors, both adults and other men his age, who support and encourage him in succeeding in blessing the lives of others during his 2-year committment. We look forward to supporting him in this selfless endeavor and only wish him the very best.
Rob and Kathy Naylor, Joel and Kristin Bishop and Grandma and Grandpa Bishop attended the ceremony with us. We enjoyed a delightful dinner and conversation after the event.
Uncle Joel--always offering his BEST FACE!
--Rise and Shout--
the Cougars are out!!!!!!
Watching Brandon march with the marching band was another highlight of our weekend!
He appears here with some of his fellow trumpet players.
Performing the Pre-game show
It has been almost 22 years since we have attended a home game at the Lavell Edwards Stadium in Provo. Even though the weather was cold, we made the best of a beautiful night. We were 12 rows from the field and in the South end zone. Not a bad view of the winning BYU Cougars.
Because it was just Brad and I, we decided to be a little CRAZY and attend a BYU basketball game after the 7:30 PM end of the football game. The 8 PM start time for the basketball game in the Marriott Center was a perfect end to a fabulous weekend together.
I will be posting video of the Cougar Marching Band soon! Check back soon!
I am so jealous. It doesn't look like I get to go to a game this year, unless I decide to drive to New Mexico for the Bowl Game. Glad you get to go. There is something about a home game, huh?
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