Goodbye for Now!

Farewell to my awesome Uncle Don and Aunt Jackie! 

     My Uncle Donald and my Aunt Jackie Keyes were called to serve as the new mission president for Independence Missouri. They left for 3 years this week and they will surely be missed! Don and Jackie have the most amazing testimonies and beautiful spirits. They will make WONDERFUL missionaries. They will touch so many lives and hearts and plant many seeds. What a wonderful and joyous experience. I tell Brian all the time that I hope to follow their lead and take on such a great challenge and journey as this. But they and their family will be SO blessed! It has been hard to see them leave because it is very true that you don't know what you are missing until it's gone. It just has made me realize that I should have spent more time learning about their wonderful lives and sweet spirits. When they return home in 3 years, Brian and I will probably be living in some foreign land. (aka not in Utah)

The whole family! (Uncle Scott, Grandpa & Grandma Gooney, Aunt Jackie, and my daddy!)

    This really has just opened my eyes to how blessed I have been growing up by all my aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, etc! I have taken this for granted far too long! My cousin Kim and her husband Brett are also moving to Iowa for PA school this week. I have missed out on some great memories and experiences and have been telling Brian we can't do this anymore! We have one more year in Utah and we better make the best of it by doing as much with our families as we can! These are the relationships that matter most! Now is the time when we need to start realizing what we have and appreciating our families. You never know when someone will be called on a mission, unexpectedly pass away, or in my case---get married! When I left for college last year I thought I would have YEARS left with my family. Now I regret not spending more time with them and am grateful to have at least another year to stick around Utah!

This is a cute cake we had at their goodbye party. They have 10 grandchildren they are leaving behind

Most of the Kendell Clan :)

I tell all my friends that are leaving on missions this awesome quote, 

"You leave your family for two years (in this case three)  

So that others can be with theirs for Eternity!"

 We love and miss you! We will be praying for you!! :)