Last Friday the Bolton Clan piled into our van a midst bags and bags of hand-me-down clothes and coolers full of food. We were headed for Clifton, ID-home of my oldest sister, JoDee and her family....returning late Sunday night without the bags and empty coolers.
During our quick visit we had time for a shopping trip to IKEA (yeah!), a varsity basketball game (starring Freshman Addie), a broken ankle (praying for Shane), a THROWDOWN (Seattle Style), a horrific snowstorm, and lots of cousin bonding.
The main event, however, took place Sunday morning, when as a very large family, we made our way to church to hear JD (the oldest grandson, and the first out of three Joseph's) talk before leaving for his mission as ELDER COOK to the WASHINGTON, SEATTLE mission!
That short hour, sitting in the chapel pews, surrounded by family and taking the sacrament, was transformative for me.
From the moment the opening hymn began, my heart seemed to explode. PRAISE TO THE MAN WHO COMMUNED WITH JEHOVAH...millions shall know brother Joseph again. It was as if I could see the big picture for just a brief second. I could feel the URGENCY of the CAUSE, the ABSOLUTE TRUTHFULNESS of the message, and the KNOWLEDGE that I, JD, and everyone in our family had a part to play in this final war of wars.
JD's thoughts sunk deep into my heart, a message of love, that is how Christ will fight His Battle. I always tell Jared that the difference between a Pre-Elder and a Post-Elder is the ability to speak. The farewell is filled with "um's" and "so's". The return is filled with testimony.
Not so with JD. We were taught. As he sat down, I couldn't help but marvel at the job that JoDee and LaWrell have done in creating a life where the Gospel Governs. I was proud and hopeful that one day soon we would be singing Praise to the Man with an even bigger family, and stronger testimonies, right here in little Overton.
So JD, in parting, Grandpa would like you to know...."Obedience and hard work, the rest is just rhetoric!"
The Bolton's Love You!
