Saying Goodbye at the MTC

On June 18, 2014 we dropped off our son, Elder Taylor Nevin Graves at the MTC as he continues his preparations to serve the Lord in the Argentina Posadas mission.  While we already miss him more than words can express, we know that he has an important role to fill in the work of the Lord.  We are so excited for him.

Taylor's Mailing Address  
(Until July 29, 2014)
Send letters and packages to:

Elder Taylor Nevin Graves
Provo Missionary Training Center
JUL 29 ARG-POS
2023 N 900 E Unit 820
Provo, UT 84602

Taylor's First Companion - Dad - Elder Graves AND Elder Graves

I was given the great privilege of being Taylor's first missionary companion.  Because the Stake President would be at Young Women's camp, Taylor was set apart as a missionary on Monday (two days before he would enter the MTC).  This meant he was to begin his service as a full-time missionary before he left our home.

As a  set apart full-time missionary, even though he was still living at home, he had to obey all mission rules - up to and including being with a companion at all times.  This was my assignment and one of my favorite priesthood responsibilities of all time.  I cherished the opportunity to work with him.  The Spirit was with us as a continually.

There was so much to be completed before his first 'transfer' from our home to the MTC, that we were rushed,  but we did manage to have companionship prayers, study and planning sessions.  I even spent those nights with him in his bedroom and we even made time for one last companionship morning run together.

In one of our 'companionship study sessions' we discussed priesthood blessings.  Learning the basic mechanics of a priesthood blessing was the main focus, but that evening when Taylor gave his Mom, brother, sisters and me a priesthood blessing - Taylor had a profound ability to listen to the promptings of the Spirit and became an instrument in creating perhaps the most spiritual experience our family had ever shared together.  I can not describe the evening adequately with words, but I will never forget the Spirit that touched our hearts as he blessed each one of us.

Planning the next two days as companion - which would include one final run together in the morning.  I'm going to miss him!

With the help of my (still favorite) companion, Kirsten (his Mom), we packed and prepared him for his first 'transfer'.

Packing!

Teaching him to polish his shoes.

Taylor's Mailing Address  
(Until July 29, 2014)
Send letters and packages to:

Elder Taylor Nevin Graves
Provo Missionary Training Center
JUL 29 ARG-POS
2023 N 900 E Unit 820
Provo, UT 84602

Set Apart as a Missionary!

Taylor was set apart as a missionary tonight!  

Amber is missing from the picture below because she was at young women's camp serving as a junior leader.  She returned the next day from camp to see Taylor off at the MTC (at which time Kirsten, Amber and Shauna all went to the last 3 days of Young Women's camp together - leaving Jake and I some guy time - which we thoroughly enjoyed).

Taylor's Mailing Address  
(Until July 29, 2014)
Send letters and packages to:

Elder Taylor Nevin Graves
Provo Missionary Training Center
JUL 29 ARG-POS
2023 N 900 E Unit 820
Provo, UT 84602

Farewell & Celebration

Several of Taylor's friends and family gather to visit one last time before he is set apart as a missionary.  Here are some pictures:

Graves family with Cake by Adele!

Even the seagulls came to say goodybe

Friends forever!  Tyler's flight had been delayed on his trip home.  As soon as he landed, he headed for our house.  He couldn't miss this celebration and didn't have time to change into his mission appropriate attire :-)

Admiration is in the air, but really...I think they are both thinking of 2016 New Year's Eve Ping Pong Re-match.  Taylor isn't going down without a fight and Matt claims he can not be beat.

Yipee!  He got his call and he's headed to Argentina!!!

Hi Five Buddy!

Loralie was our photographer and wasn't in many of the pictures as a result, but here she is wishing Taylor the best and giving words of encouragement and love.

Coach Allan.  Friend, Coach & Mentor. 

Tanner had to leave early for his cousin's farewell and the picture taking didn't really get started until right after he left, but...I found one proving that he was here (He is over on the far right).  We love you Tanner.

Photo Bomb!!!

Photo Bomb!!!

Photo Bomb!!!  Love this one :-)

Taylor's Mailing Address  
(Until July 29, 2014)
Send letters and packages to:

Elder Taylor Nevin Graves
Provo Missionary Training Center
JUL 29 ARG-POS
2023 N 900 E Unit 820
Provo, UT 84602

May 10, 2014 - Baptisms of Brandon Merritt and Tanner Jensen

Taylor's mission experiences began long before he was called as a full-time missionary.  For the past few months, The Merritt family has joined us in our home so that the sister missionaries could teach both of our families.  The experience was wonderful and both of our families had an opportunity to share experiences and testimony while we were taught.  These discussions were also of great importance in preparing Brandon Merritt for baptism.  Brandon asked Taylor to baptize him.  We are so excited for the decision that Brandon has made to be baptized and for the growth that both of our families have experienced.

Taylor was also very busy sharing the gospel with one of his best friends from school Tanner Jensen.  Taylor spoke so highly of each of the Elder's (Holmes, Thomas and a few other missionaries) that were involved in teaching Tanner.  He said that they taught (and more importantly testified) with great power and allowed the Spirit to do the rest.  They had answers to Tanner's many, many, many questions :-) and were effective tools in God's hands.  The experience was fantastic as Tanner recognized the Spirit as a true confirmation that there is a God, that he (Tanner) is a Son of God and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is truly Christ's church.  After all that they had experienced together, with Elder Holmes, Elder Thomas and many other friends, Taylor had the opportunity to baptize his good friend Tanner.  It was a great day.  A day that none of us will forget.

I had the privilege to listen to Tanner bear his testimony immediately following his baptism.  As I remember it, Tanner spoke of one of the first times that he felt the Spirit.  Upon completing one of the discussions Tanner, the elders and the others present knelt down in prayer to ask for a confirmation that the message that had been shared was of God.  Each on their knees, Taylor prayed first and immediately an indescribable feeling of confirmation filled the room (and Tanner's heart).  Each person in the room took a turn praying for a continued confirmation.  Their hearts were filled as each prayer was immediately answered with a warmth to their souls that can not be described with words.  While listening to Tanner testify of his conversion, the Spirit bore witness to me that Tanner is a son of God and that his baptism was indeed pleasing to our Heavenly Father.  It is the beginning of an eternal commitment that will result in innumerable blessings from his Father in Heaven.  We are so excited for you Tanner!

Tanner is well loved and respected.  There were so many friends and family that desired to witness this great miracle that the main program had to be moved to the chapel.  When it was time for the baptism, the chairs had to be put away to make room for all of his friends and family.

  It was truly standing room only.  I took these pictures and was only to show about half the room in the pictures, but the other side of the room was just as packed as this side.  It was an impressive display of love and support for Tanner.

Taylor's Mailing Address  

(Until July 29, 2014) Send letters and packages to:

Elder Taylor Nevin Graves

Provo Missionary Training Center

JUL 29 ARG-POS

2023 N 900 E Unit 820

Provo, UT 84602