My Little Brother

My little brother Nick is currently serving a mission for our church. We are members of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints. (More commonly known as Mormons). Nick was called to serve in the Hartford Connecticut, Spanish Speaking Mission. He has been gone for almost 2 years. He will be home May of this year.....YEAH!!!!! I have missed Nick so very much. Nick has been apart of something truly amazing. He has been teaching the gospel to so many wonderful and interesting people. It has been extremely hard to have him gone all this time, however I know that he is where he is suppose to be right now. He has such a strong testimony, and love for this gospel that he has given up 2 years of his life to teach it. I am so proud of him and all that he is doing. It is crazy to think that he will be home in about 4 months!! That was a fast 2 years. Well it has been fast for me, but it certainly hasn't been fast for my parents. Nick is the baby of the family. I have 3 older siblings, there is a 7 year span then there is Me, Samantha, and Nick. It is like growing up in two families. The first half then the second half. I am most closest to Sam and Nick. We all grew up together. Nick has a great personality, he is really just a big kid. But in a good way. He is very responsible and knows when to be serious. There for awhile I didn't think he was going to go on a mission. He talked about doing alot of other things instead. When he made the decision to serve a mission, I know that he knew he had made the right choice and that the other things he wanted to do with his life would be here when he got back. He is such a spiritual person. We got to talk to him on Christmas Day. WOW....He sounded so grown up. I am so proud of him!!! Every time Scott deployed or went TDY, I have always gone home (Utah) to stay with my parents. The first deployment Scott and I were apart for 9 months. It was so hard. At the time we only had Myllie, she had a really hard time with her Daddy being gone. Nick still lived at home and started spending alot of time with her. She got very close to him. It is really hard for her to have Nick gone. We bought a count down chart for her to put stickers on everyday, counting down until he comes home. She has loved doing that everyday, and writing him letters and sending him packages. We are currently working on a Valentine's package for him. Myllie loves to send him stuff. She makes sure that we remember to put picture of her in it. She says "Mom, I don't want Nick to forget me". I love the fact that she is so close to him. I tell her all the time that Nick loves her and that he wont forget her. Nick left for his mission before I had Ethan. So he has never met him. Myllie makes sure we send pictures of Ethan too so Nick knows what he looks like. I am sure that Nick and Ethan will hit it off right from the start. My little sister Sam has had a baby since Nick has been gone as well. Her name is Brooklyn and she will be 1 in March. I know that it has been extremely hard on Samantha having Nick gone. They went through High School together. They were best friends all 4 years. They did everything together. I know that Sam misses him terribly, but is so proud of him.

I know that this gospel is true. I feel it in the deepest part of my heart. I have unwavering faith in the principles and teaching of this great gospel. I know that Joseph Smith was a man called of God to restore this church here on the earth. I know that the Book Of Mormon is true and that Joseph Smith translated it by the power of God. I know that Gordon B. Hinckley was a true prophet, called by God to further spread the teaching of this great gospel across this earth. His recent passing has brought tears to my eyes and sadness to my heart. He was such an amazing man with a kind and gentle heart. He has done so many things and touched so many peoples lives. My beloved prophet has passed on but his testimony and love for this great and marvelous work will live on forever. I am sad that he is gone but, my heart is comforted in knowing that he has been reunited with his sweet wife, whom he loved so dearly. I will miss President Gordon B. Hinckley very much. My life has truly been blessed by having the gospel in it. I love this gospel and I love my Savior more than I could ever express. Amen