Luke's Mission Call

We are excited for our 18-year-old soon-to-be-high school-graduate nephew Luke, who opened his LDS mission call on Tuesday, May 7. He has been assigned to serve in the Michigan Detroit Mission, speaking English.

This area of the country has direct connection to our family. Dad lived near Detroit, in the city of Ypsilanti, and worked for Ford Motor Company when he was still a single man. At this time, as he would often remind us, he had season tickets to the Detroit Lions football games and when the Detroit Tigers won the World Series in 1968. Dad was living in Michigan when he began dating and married Mom.

Mom and Dad continued to live in the area as newlyweds when Mike and I were born. They served a stake mission together, during which they taught and helped baptize people who remained their dear friends for the rest of their earthly lives. Mom finished her college degree at the University of Eastern Michigan. Dad also ended up serving for a period of time as president of the University of Michigan student branch in Ann Arbor.

After the great news about Luke's mission assignment, we're rather certain there was an angel celebrating to the tune of the U. of Michigan fight song.

Graham's Baptism

Our eight-year-old nephew Graham was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Saturday in Centerville. His dad (my brother Ben) performed the baptismal ordinance, as well as the subsequent confirmation (bestowal of the gift of the Holy Ghost).

Graham asked various family members, including his young cousins, to take part in the service. Nine-year-old cousin Katy gave a talk on baptism; 10-year-old brother, Christian, spoke on the gift of the Holy Ghost; and eight-year-old cousin Danny offered the closing prayer. Graham also sang a Primary song along with his parents and Christian. Jessica played the piano for the Primary songs we sang as a congregation. Everyone did a great job!

We (Fun Aunt and Uncle) just showed up ... which was all we really needed to do.

Afterward, most of those who attended, including our Sanders cousins, gathered for breakfast (brunch?) at Black Bear Diner, one of our favorite local hotspots.