Elder Thomas and His Dad

Elder Thomas  and his dad Brother Thomas were companions for 3 days until we got back home to have Willy released.  It was fun to watch them love each other and talk about things.  Willy was released as a missionary 7 pm. 

Little and Big Brother

Willy was shocked at how tall Payton had got while he was gone.  Payton is the youngest and the tallest at this point. 

Brothers reunited

Noah was so excited to have his Big Brother back home.  Love having all three boys together again.

Reunited Family

Happy Day!!!  Little bit of a stressful morning.  We had an appointment to pick Elder Thomas up anytime after 8.  JoLynn thought 8:01am would be a good time.  Much to her dismay, there is a difference between Mission office and Mission Home.  We were to pick up Willy at the Mission home, but the last email we had received did not give us that info and not knowing the difference, we sat at the office for a long time, no Willy.  After many tears, pacing the parking lot we finally got hold of some missionaries that got us in contact with the Mission President.  We finally made a connection and Willy was soon going to be close to his mom....When saw each other, Payton jumped in front of mom and hugged his brother first, mom just cried and was so happy to see her son again.  Dad and Noah patiently waited for their hugs.  Willy's first words were, boy my brothers grew!  So happy to see Elder Thomas!!!  Now the journey begins to head home to Idaho.

Willy-update

Willy is doing great.  He is a senior companion.  His companion went home so he is with 2 other missionaries for the remainder of his mission.  He is doing great, loving life and happy!!!  He has grown so much and has been so blessed.  He is grateful for all the many letters, love and support he has received.  He got to go and help again with some flood relief.  He says there is a lot of work to be done. Keep up the good work.  We are proud of you.

Willy-update

Willy is doing great.  He is with a companion that will be going home in two weeks.  He is helping a lot with flood relief in Calgary.  He loves doing service and is so blessed to have the opportunity to serve. He said it is sad to see all the damage, but he loves to get dirty and help out. 

Willy-installed lights

Received a text with this picture; Your son got transferred and as sooooo awesome and installed my new lights.  Don't worry we will send him home with lots of love. 
Love to get random messages about how well he is doing. 

Willy-last 30 days of mission

Willy sent this pictures home this week in his email.  He is such a character.  He is doing great.  Hard to believe that he will be home in a month.  He is doing great and loves the area he is in.  He said that he is most likely going to be helping with the clean up in the areas that have flooded in Canada.  He loves service work.   He has had many reflections on his mission, and is so grateful for the opportunity.  He loves Canada and is going to have a hard time saying good bye to many families.  Great job Elder Thomas, Keep up the good Work.  Love ya!

Willy- transfer week

Willy is getting a new companion and area today. He was not sure where it was for sure.  He loves change and getting to know more people.  He is a good people person and makes friends quickly. He loves his mission and has had many great opportunities to work with non members and new converts.  He is so glad he made the decision to go.  Great job Elder!

Elder Thomas update

Willy is doing great!  He is having "the time of his life" according to him.  He is so happy about the way his mission has gone and the things he has learned.  He feels like it has be the best thing ever.  Not much to say this week other than he is so happy and blessed with this experience.  Keep it up Elder!

Willy-transfer day!

Willy got transferred,  he will be closer to Calgary now.  He is doing super.  He was sad to leave the companion, they have done well together.  He is so happy about the things that he has done.  He loves his mission and so thankful he could go. 
Keep up the good work son!!!

Willy--quick transfer

Willy has had a rough week.  He got transferred today to a new area with a new companion.  He is excited about the change even though it was sooner than his transfer should have been.  The last area and companion had issues.  Not a good situation, and Willy wanted out of the situation before it got worse.  Willy wants things to go the way they are suppose to and when it does not go the way they are taught and the rules to follow there are problems.  Willy has had great success and it was sad to him that this last companion and area was not a right fit.  Keep up the good work and stay positive in all you do.  Hang Tough Idaho Boy!!!

Willy--update

Willy is feeling alittle under the weather, they are watching him, he is really weak, not much energy and very tired.  He said that he keeps pushing along and will be fine.  He said in his email he can't wait to go camping with us,  I did let him know that this is the first memorial day weekend we were not camping.....Willy says to pray for him to get better.  But he is doing good otherwise.  Keep up the good work son!!! We love you!!

Willy-update

Willy had lots to say this week.  He was most excited about going to help brand cattle, he talked about what they were going to do.  He was excited about it all.  He loves the great outdoors and animals, he is most comfortable when he is helping others.  This is right up his alley, service!!!  He said that they have been doing great things and very happy!!!!  Glad to hear, keep up the good work!!!!We Love ya Wilster!!!!

Mother's Day phone call!!---

Love mothers day!!!  We got to skype with Willy for one hour!!!  It was amazing and awesome.  He looks so good and has his same quirkly sense of humor.  He told us many stories and how greatful he is for his mission.  It is great to see your child when you have not seen him.  We talked about the plan when we go to pick him up from the mission home.  It is always a bitter sweet to say good bye when time is up.  This is the last phone call home before his mission is complete.  We are so proud of him.  Love you son and the example you are.  See you August 3, 2013 in Calgary Canada. 

Willy-update

Willy is doing great.  He loves everything about where is his now.  They are doing great things and pressing forward like they should.  He says it is hard to believe that his mission is almost over, what a blessing it has been for him.  He has learned and grown alot.  He loves the people in his mission and thinks they are wonderful.  Short and sweet letter this week.....Keep up the good work Elder Thomas!!!!  We love you!

Willy-Transfer week

Willy is doing great!!!  He is looking at staying in the same area, they are moving in with a member, which is thrilled because they have a treadmill.....he is excited about the change.  He is staying busy, there has been so slow times and that he does not like, he likes to stay busy....like his dad.  He is doing a great job and happy to be on a mission.  Keep up the good work son!

Willy-update

Willy says things have slowed down alot and he does not like the slow times, he likes having something to do all the time.  He says that transfers are coming up, his companion is close to going home, so he may be staying there.  He said that he has been having some chest pains, he ded not have to go to the doctor, they have since gone away.  He is staying positive and upbeat and loves his mission. 

Willy-update

Elder Thomas has been serving for 19 months.  Mom came across this picture... Crazy to think he has been in Canada that long.  Willy is doing a great job as a missionary.  He loves the service that he gets to do while on his mission.  He is so blessed to be on a mission, he said he has grown so much and is grateful for the opportunity. 

Willy---update

Willy is doing great!!!  Funny how when you are a parent, you worry about your kids.  I have been praying for Willy for the last couple of weeks, and in his letter this week, he said, Mom no need to worry about me, I am doing well and the Lord is taking good care of me.  I loved the way he put it in his letter, makes me know that he is doing well.  He is adjusting to his new area.  It has been more of a challenge for him.  Keep up the good work son!!!