The Farewell!

Sunday, August 18th, 2013

Elder Colten Baker gave an amazing farewell talk in sacrament meeting.  It was a powerful message and the Spirit was so strong!  There was no doubt in a single person's mind that Colten was ready...and the people in the great country of El Salvador were waiting. I was one very proud Mom!

July 2013

July 2013

 In the month of July...more friends left to serve their missions! 

Before they started leaving...one of Colten's greatest friends, Sydney Brereton, took some amazing pictures of the guys! 
I will love these photos FOREVER!

...and we are as the Armies of Helaman!

Although many friends left throughout the month, the most difficult was Elder Gunner Smith.  Having been the best of friends since the 6th grade--the goodbye was difficult at best!

June 2013

June 2013

In the month of June, several friends went through the temple and Spencer & Collin left to serve their missions!  What a month...so many emotions and so many memories!

Thanks to Lorri Craig we had some beautiful missionary photos taken!  

On June 11, 2013 Elder Spencer Wilkins left for the Birmingham, Alabama--Spanish speaking mission.  He was the first of the friends to go...

Elder Wilkins & Elder Braithwaite were able to see each other at the Provo MTC.

Colten was able to go through the temple with Gunner!  Colten and Gunner have been best of friends since the 6th grade! 

What an experience for this amazing group of young men!

Off To The Temple

Thursday, May 30th, 2013

On Thursday, May 30th, we took Colten through the temple for the first time.  What a beautiful experience it was!  Colten was accompanied by his dad, mom, his Aunt Meghan, one his closest friends--Spencer Wilkins, and Spencer's parents Kelli & Will.  The Spirit was so strong.  What a privilege to be a part of something so special!

Graduation!

Thursday, May 29th

Perry High School Graduation!

He did it!  

After facing one challenge after another...Colten Bruce Baker graduated!

What an exciting time...being able to watch this amazing group of young men prepare to start down another new and exciting path!

Mission Call Arrives!

April 5, 2013

On April 5, 2013 Colten received his mission call!  What an exciting day!  Little did we know then how life would be forever altered from that exact moment in time!

Opening The Call!

April 5, 2013

That evening, surrounded by countless numbers of friends and family (in person and via the use of every iPhone, iPad, and computer in the house) Colten opened his mission call.  

"Dear Elder Baker...you are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  You are assigned to labor in the El Salvador Santa Ana/Belize Mission..."

...and let the adventure begin!!