Our First Letter

We got our first letter from Alex yesterday. He had written it at 10:10 pm on June 25th, the day he entered the MTC. It was short but full of good news. We are going to Scan it so it can be on the page, but haven't had a chance to yet. Probably later today. Anyway, he said he saw us "frantically" waving to him on the bus. Of course we couldn't see him becasue the windows were very dark, but it is nice knowing he saw us. He also said it was intense there at the MTC. I am sure some of that has calmed down and he has picked up on the routine. He said he really liked his roommates and his district. He said one other guy had even skydived. So he is feeling like he is among friends. He also said he has seen LOTS of guys he knows, including one from elementary school and our neighbor Brandon Heffron. He didn't include any other names but Brandons... we will have to suggest he include names in the future.

Again, we are so thankful for his faithfulness and desire to serve a mission. Please keep him and all the wonderful missionaries (and their families) in your prayers.

We have such wonderful Family, Friends and Neighbors

Saturday we had an Open House for Alex! It was great and we appreciate all our wonderful friends and family coming!
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Taylor, Drew and Alex... Cassie Smith and Grammie and Aunt Kori

Grammie and Nathan with Uncle Ed's family in back... and more friends..

The Family on Sunday and Alex's friends at the house after church!


Grandma and Darrell Child... Grammie, Auntie and Nathan

Mar and Chris Alex and friends!


The Carroll family Jenni Miller and others....

Alex in on his mission NOW!

He's in the MTC!! Yep, he finally made it! It seemed like it would never come, but now it seems to have come too quickly. We are all terribly sad, but very proud of him for his descision. It was a challenge getting everything ready. Last night we had to get a second BIG suitcase because he is taking so much... two large towels, 14 ties, extra pants, extra shirts, a big blanket... I realized this morning that I hadn't done the Immunization Card. That was terrible. I don't know how I missed that. So we had to go to the Dr's office and he had to sign for a copy of the immunization record. I was just glad I had caught it before it was too late. Alex called his grammie and grandma as we were travelling down to Provo, that started me crying.... a little anyway. Yesterday was the worst crying day, today is more business and getting it done.

We had to check in at the church by the LaVell Edwards stadium. It is the site of the church that Tim and I went to when we were newly married and at BYU. There were tons of missionaries going in. I tried not to look at all the crying moms as we drove in or I may have started up again. The volunteers were all wonderful. They congratulated Alex and were so nice. He checked in his suitcase and got his badge and then we took pictures and then we went into "THE MEETING." It was nice to hear the wonderful advice and information they gave. Alex was acting a bit nervous, but excited. When they said for us to say our good byes, I didn't think I was going to be able to do it. Alex said, "I am not going to cry!" Then he was funny about hugging us. He hugged us each about 3 or 4 times. Then off he went. Tim was outside when they walked by on their way to the bus. He got to see Alex one last time before he was gone. Tim gave him the gang sign they always gave each other (teasingly). Alex did it back and off he went.

The trip home was rough. I thought Tim might have to pull over because he couldn't see thru his tears. But I knew I couldn't drive and Marley was sitting between us in the front seat so she wouldn't have to cry alone in the back. We have been crying off and on for several days and today, since Alex has been gone, has been the worst. I never expected it to be THIS difficult.

Some interesting things. Last night when Alex got set apart, he thought he would have to go home and stay in his suit and not do anything. We had to go to the store to get that other big suitcase, so Tim told him he could change into his regular clothes, and he could come with us. Then today, when we were walking into the chapel, the lady in front of us told Alex they were from Nevada and asked where Alex was serving. He said, Orlando and she pointed to her son and said, "so is he!" Small world.

Packing up the car...

Our last Family Meal... for 2 years anyways.

He had to check in at the church next to the stadium at BYU!

Putting on THE badge!

He has a new name now... it is ELDER!!!!!
Our last Family Picture

Then they got Bussed to the MTC. Kinda sad we didn't get to go to the MTC.

Today we went to the Salt Lake Temple. It was a challenge getting there,

but when you are trying

to do what is right, Satan

throws whatever he can to keep you from doing what is right. We won! It was a beautiful day and beautiful session!

Alex goes to the Temple

Friday, June 6, 2008, Alex went to the Jordan River Temple for the first time. It was a wonderful day and we are so thankful for those who came and joined us. He did really well and we are so proud of him. See our pics below!

What's up with Marley?

That is a common question I get asked because she is always off with friends and she is attending a Singles ward is South Jordan. So here are some pics and a little about what she is up to.
One of her Best friends, Cassie, got married and Mar was her Maid of Honor. Amy Iverson helped serve.

Beautiful Girls!

Marley celebrated her 22nd birthday this year and the Nixon's came over and had cake with us.

Marley went to a few concerts these past few months. This one was Making April and she got to go back stage with her friends and hang with the band. She has become good friends with Greg the bass guitarist and the lead singer. Another Group she met was New Frontiers. She got stuck in traffic on her way home from UVSC on the night the weather was REALLY bad and it took her 4 hours to get home. She was sitting on the freeway when Guy from New Frontiers handed her a CD - her window was rolled down a bit so she could get fresh air since her car wasn't moving. He told her they were performing the next night in SLC and said she should come. So the next night, 2-14, she went. During the concert they asked if anyone came that was stuck on the freeway with them and Marley told them she had and they were super nice to her. They gave her a free t-shirt and the next time they were in town, Guy texted her and told her they were coming and that he's put her name on the list to get in free.

Greg and Marley

School is out for Summer and Mar did really well. She is going to be a WONDERFUL teacher because she is so creative and loves kids.

Dear Elder Alex Benson Nelson,

Well, I am a bit behind on the news.... Alex received his call on Wednesday, April 16. We planned on opening it at 7 pm at our house. He invited some of his friends and Marley invited her friends (they all call him "brother") and we invited our close friends from the neighborhood who have known him since he was a little guy. Needless to say, the house was packed and some of Alex's friends didn't get there till after 7:30, so it was a suspensful evening. We don't have any family close by and we were thankful for all our dear friends who came to share this special day with us. We hooked up a web camera so Grammie and Aunt Kori could watch from Grammies computer. Alex stood up and he asked his dad to offer a prayer and then he opened the envelope. He hesitated before he started reading it, and I could tell his eyes were scanning down to see where he was being called to. Then he started reading. He said , "the Florida Orlando Mission" and I thought he was kidding. Of all the places I would have picked for him to go, that would have been one of them. Wonderful climate, normal food, a place we have been several times as a family. Amazing! Then as he read more, it said, "English speaking" and he said YES! It was a wonderful testimony builder and I knew my prayers had been answered in regards to my concerns about where he would serve. Of course, I knew that anywhere he went would help him grow and that he would touch the lives of those he met and taught.



We have spent many hours since shopping and appreciating the time we have to spend together. He got his suit and pants and shirts and shoes and socks, and all the incidentals he needs. Our next goal is to get him a bike and of course the very special event of going to the temple.


I will be including pictures as time goes on of each step, and will eventually create a page for him so I can share what he says and does while he is on his mission.