Sunday, November 25, 2012

Meet the Elders

 
Elder Totland and Elder Bascom

 
Front row:: Elders Totland and Basom
Back row:: Elders Harris? Webber/Webster? (not quite sure what their name tags said)
Denney, and Judd.
 
Elder Bascom seems to be doing very well! He is getting spoiled with letters and packages from friends and family... Definitely not a good thing. ;) It was different not having him here with us for Thanksgiving, but it was a good different! We love and miss him but sure do apprecitate his example.

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Day 1.

It was definitely a bittersweet day as Elder Bascom entered the MTC on Wednesday, November 14, 2012. He spent his morning finishing up packing and writing some letters to his family. It was hard for me to watch him get ready to go. Kameron came and spent the day with mom, dad, and me. He had never got to have the Provo MTC experience, so he wanted to tag along. That was definitely a blessing and helped each of us feel more at ease.
 
Ryan's "Last Supper" was of course Jdawgs. Couldn't leave without having one last dawg! I swear that kid could live off of those things. When the time was getting closer to 12:30, you could see how jittery and excited he was getting. He honestly couldn't wait to get into the MTC and start his work. When we pulled into view of the MTC he was ecstatic! His grin literally was from ear to ear. We pulled up to the curb, he got out, tried to snap a couple pictures, gave some final hugs and he was off. Of course mom and i were crying, but even dad was too! He has such a tender heart! ;) but we sure do love him! Watching Elder Bascom walk away we couldn't help but be so proud of him and the work that he is going to be doing! I can't wait to get his first letter and see how his life is changing!
 
 
 
 
 
 It's definitely different around the house without him here, but it's a good different. Mom, dad, and I definitely miss him. I was coming home from work the other night not ready to go to bed quite yet, and I thought "I'll just go watch a movie with Ry." Haha then I realized that he was gone. It'll definitely take some time getting used to, but there is no place that I would rather have him be right now. His example is amazing and i can't thank him enough for it!
 
I know that he would love to hear from you guys! Write him letters! Love you all and thanks for you support!! Love, Brittany

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Today's the Day.

Elder Bascom's fare well was on Sunday November 11. He shared his sweet sweet testimony of loving our Heavenly Father. His testimony radiates through everything he says and does. Many family members and friends were there supporting him, and he even got to speak with his life-long best friend, Elder Blake Gale. They will both be entering the MTC today.

Elder Bascom got set apart to be a full time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints last night. His very first companion was his dad, Kevin. He was surrounded by his loving family and even had a couple siblings on the phone. We can't wait to see how well he does on his mission and are so grateful for his loving spirit that he has. This last night having Elder Bascom with us has definitely been a bitter sweet one! We are so so excited to have him go and devote the next two years to serving the Lord, but we will miss him dearly. We told Brody, one of his nephews, to go give Elder Bascom a hug before Brody left last night, and he just walked around so confused until we told him that was Ryan's new name. He gladly gave him a hug and kissed him one last time. It's been hard watching the family say their goodbyes; Tiffany on Sunday, Devin on Monday, and Kameron last night; and me, Brittany, having a hard time all three nights:) But we all are so so happy for the choice he has made and the example that he is setting! The people of Portugal are definitely blessed to be getting such a good young man!

We love you Elder Bascom and will see you in two! (or maybe three -Brittany)

All the Bascom Boys: Kameron, Devin and Elder Ryan Bascom

Elder Bascom and Dave, Devin's Friend

Two best friends, and their bishop

Elder Gale and Elder Bascom

Jaren, Elder Bascom, G & G Karr

Brittany, Brody, Kameron, Elder Bascom, Kathy, Korbin, Kevin

Elder Bascom and G & G Bascom

Monday, November 12, 2012

The Call


July 5, 2012 was the day Ryan received his call in the mail. After all of the excitement, we settled down and opened it together.

Dear Elder Bascom:

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 Portugal Lisbon Mission. It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of 24 months. 


The planning and preparing began- and four short months later, we are getting ready to send him off. We are so excited for Ryan and so proud of the man he has become. He will report to the MTC in Provo, Utah on Wednesday, and although it is a bitter-sweet feeling, we know it is so right.


Good luck Elder Bascom. Lets cherish these last few days we have together. We love you and are so pleased with your decision to go and serve The Lord.

To read more about our church and missionaries, go here.
To read a talk given on mission preparation, go here.