Ryan Ordained an Elder

Today was a great day in our household. Ryan was ordained an Elder and given the Melchizedek Priesthood. He was ordained by his father, Dustin Wesley Merritt. Male members receives the Melchizedek Priesthood before they leave on their mission, or enter the temple. He has been preparing for this for a while. He's growing up!

Ryan's Mission Call

Ryan started filling out his mission pares mid-May. I was having a really hard time believing this time in our lives had really arrived. "Am I really this old?" is all I could keep asking myself. But, there I was watching my husband and son fill them out...

Almost three months later he received his mission call in the mail...

It came on a Friday, but Ryan was gone all day, so we had to wait until Saturday. We invited family to hear him read the news! The excitement was too much for Grandpa!

Ryan has been called to the North Carolina, Raleigh Mission. He will report to the Provo MTC (Missionary Training Center) on November 2, 2016. 

We are so proud of him and the choices he his making. I know a mission will help him in so many ways! I'm super nervous. It will be interesting to see how it impacts our family. I know Ryan and Aaron have been best friends forever! I think it will be a hard adjustment for Aaron. But, we know he will bless the lives of those he serves and teaches.

Hogle Zoo

Dustin's company usually pays for a trip to Lagoon, our local theme park. This year, however, they changed it up a bit and did a trip to the zoo. I love (meaning from a distance) animals, but the zoo often leaves me sad. I wasn't too excited, but we hadn't taken Britten yet, so I suggested we go.

They have done quite a bit to Hogle Zoo. They monkey house is still sad. They don't seem to know where they are. And I hate watching them. I really love what they have done with the elephants! And seals. And bears. There is also a splash pad for the hot, summer days!

Our older kids were busy, so Becca and Kate were able to invite a friend to go with them. Becca invited Bergen. Kate invited Mack. We had lots of fun on the train and carousel. The company provided dinner too.

I also took lots of pictures!

The ending to a good day. I love the drive home!