Mormon Bloggers

Last Wednesday was a very special day for our family. Aurora, Cassie and I headed down south with my parents and two brothers to drop Ashton off at the MTC. It was kind of a surreal moment, as he got out of the car, got his bags, gave my mom a hug, and was led into the building. I appreciated the fact that it wasn’t drawn out, filled with anticipation, and that we didn’t have to sit through an emotional devotion before an emotional departure. There were enough emotions running wild as it was. Last hug from Momsie before he’s whisked away We’re so grateful for his great example, and for his willingness to serve the Lord for the next two years. If you would like to write to Ashton while he is on his mission, his current address is as follows: Elder Ashton Bradley Sprague MTC Mailbox # 156 CA-CARL 0614 2005 N 900 East Provo, UT 84604-1793 He leaves for California next Tuesday, so you’ll have to be quick so he can get it! Otherwise you can wait until he arrives... Read the rest of this entry »

I cannot believe that I am posting my last blog post as a missionary.  Looking back on the past two years and my experiences during that time is incredible.  Knowing where I was then and where I am now has strengthened my testimony in the Gospel, in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and most importantly in my Savior Himself, even Jesus Christ.  As I have been saying goodbye to fellow missionaries and friends that I have been teaching (fittingly in French the word for investigators is amis de l’église which means friends of the church , I have been reflecting a lot about what I have learned and accomplished during this time.  During this time, I couldn’t help but think of reading. Many of you know that I love to read and that I have a love for many odd books that most people don’t find very enjoyable because they are too long or difficult to read or something along those lines.  At this point of my life where my mission is about to end, I... Read the rest of this entry »

Since Ashton leaves in two weeks, my mom requested a baby book for Cassie similar to one I made for Aurora two years ago to display at Ashton’s farewell open house. I used the templates I made for Aurora’s book, and stuck pictures in of Cassie instead. And since we couldn’t just have my two girls with a matching book, I made one for Hope as well. Here are the covers of each of the books: Aurora’s digital scrapbook cover page Cassie’s digital scrapbook front cover Hope’s digital scrapbook cover page I hope they turn out. I keep oscillating between whether it’s tacky to have three similar-looking books, or if it’s brilliant. I guess once we have them together we’ll determine once and for all.  Read More →

I’m having a little bit of a hard time accepting the fact that my baby brother is no longer a baby. Let alone old enough to drive. Or vote. And now I find that for two years he’ll be living out of Utah. May 25 seems so soon! The suspense builds I know he’ll do a great job on a mission. He always tackles his tasks and accomplishes great things. The suspense builds more as we try to get Grandpa on the phone He’s intelligent, humble, compassionate, and sweet. Called to serve Him The people of Carlsbad, California are lucky to have him in their lives. Take good care of him!  Read More →

Daniel spoke in sacrament meeting yesterday with many family and friends present. For readability his address has been modified slightly. Here is the audio in Ogg Vorbis (13.3MB) and MP3 (14.8MB) formats. Daniel exiting the chapel after speaking in Sacrament Meeting Thank you for that musical number, that was wonderful. Well, I’m excited to be here. It’s great to see everyone that came out. One of the great things about my mission is when someone asks me where I went it is a trick question, because I went to Mongolia and Washington and Mongolia isn’t an actual city in Washington, it is a country. Before I was leaving I was talking to my Dad and I was saying, “Hey Dad, in Mongolia we’re going to be teaching English as English teachers. Can you help me with the language? And he said, “I don’t speak any Mongolian.” “No I meant with English, Dad.” So it is wonderful to serve a mission, like Troy said. I remember talking with him in the MTC and it... Read the rest of this entry »

Elder Daniel Willoughby, son of Richard and Jill Willoughby, has returned home after successfully serving in the Mongolia Ulaanbaatar and Washington Kennewich Missions. He will speak December 26 at 3:20 pm. in the Kaysville 14th Ward, 9 W 550 S., Kaysville. A week by week account of Daniel’s mission is here. Related Posts: Official: Daniel Will Not Be Returning To Mongolia Contact Daniel Missionary Dan Email #33 from Vancouver, Washington Missionary Dan Email #1 from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia Missionary Dan Email #37 from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia Readers who viewed this page, also viewed: World  Read More →

My guest writer is Susan Mathews Hardy, the mother of Elder Nathan Hardy, one of Daniel’s missionary companions. Susan wrote a letter to Daniel’s mission president, timed so that Daniel will receive it from President Greer on the night before Daniel returns home. Thanksgiving Morning November 25, 2010 Dear President Greer, I know you will be sitting down soon with Elder Willoughby as he leaves the mission field. I wanted to take the time to tell both of you thank you: thank you to you for following inspiration to pair my son with Elder Willoughby; and thank you to Elder Willoughby for being an exemplary trainer. Elder Willoughby taught Nathan to “be the best missionary you can so God can work miracles though you.” He taught Nathan that missionary work is real and very rewarding. Nathan wrote to us this week, “it takes two to ‘kill’ a Willoughby” because “he is a really good missionary! When I talk to the other missionaries who came out with me, I feel very blessed... Read the rest of this entry »

Our first view of Daniel After two years and 47 days, Elder Willoughby finally returned home from his mission. There were several familes there to greet him. Bryson and Aurora held up the Welcome Home Elder Willoughby sign that was generic enough to be used for four missionaries. At the airport were Daniel’s parents, his three brothers and sister and their spouses (and fiancée) and children. Also Daniel’s Uncle Mike and cousin Christopher; Aunt Susan and cousin Shauna; and Jill’s cousin Julie. Waiting for Daniel: Jill, Susan, Aurora, Bryson, Sarah, Shauna, Adelaide, and Cassandra Daniel and Shauna Daniel meets his nieces for the first time We all went home to enjoy a delicious meal. But first Daniel headed over to the stake center to be released by President Thredgold. I asked President Thredgold if I could take a picture. He said, “Is this going to end up on Rickety?” Well, of course! Later that evening Daniel stood by his Welcome Home Dan sign,... Read the rest of this entry »

Daniel (right) and companions with Bayarsaihan It was really fun to see Bayarsaihan. We ate some buuz and played with sheep ankle bones. I was happy to be able to still speak Mongolian well. Some of the time I couldn’t understand her, but she could understand all the things I said. With that to start off the week it was great. We have four investigators that are making lots of progress. I realized about a day ago I won’t be around much longer to see them. It is a strange feeling… I love being a missionary and doing missionary things. It is a very simple and joyous work to do. Love, Elder Willoughby Daniel (left) and companions at Portland Temple Elder Daniel Willoughby is serving in the Washington Kennewick Mission. After flying home next Tuesday, Daniel will be released from his mission. Related posts: Missionary Dan Email #34 from Vancouver, Washington Missionary Dan Email #14 from Vancouver, Washington Missionary Dan Email #16 from Vancouver, Washington Missionary... Read the rest of this entry »

Daniel in Vancouver Mongolian Found! I was happy to receive a call on Thanksgiving day from Bayarsaihan. She is a native Mongolian that met her husband at BYU Hawaii and moved to Vancouver several years ago. I knew that she lived here, but despite all my efforts to contact her, I was never successful. She was told by a missionary serving in her ward that I would love to talk to her. On Saturday I called her and talked for 10 to 15 minutes in Mongolian and she invited us to her house to have some buuz (Mongolian food). I was so happy that I was able to understand still and that I hadn’t lost it all with the 8 months of not speaking to a native. Today is very exciting because we are going to her house and enjoying some food and my companions get to see how wonderful the culture is. It truly has made me very happy. I look forward to meeting more Mongolians in Utah as I hear there are many there. Zone Conference Thanksgiving dinner was great. We had tons of food and pie. And then we... Read the rest of this entry »

Elders Willoughby, Hardy, Powell, and Mendoza The baptism of Roberta was great. The Spirit was strong and everything went very well. Roberta has such a sweet spirit and the ward has done great things in making her feel welcome. My new companion’s name is Elder Mendoza. He is from Sandy, Utah and is lots of fun. Elder Hardy was able to come to Roberta’s baptism so we got a pictures of all the missionaries I trained in a row. It was neat to see how much Elder Hardy has already learned in his short time away from me. He is working hard and has had great success. Elder Powell and I are adjusting to having an additional companion, but so far everything is great. I too am doing good, it wasn’t as overwhelming as I thought it would be, but definitely gives me plenty of things to do. Elder Powell has stepped it up a lot and Elder Mendoza has a great desire to learn. We continue to do all we can to bring others to Christ. The family sounds like it is doing great. Thanks for... Read the rest of this entry »

I’ve been home from Japan for over three years now. I know, long time. (I know I’m not married, too, but thanks for the reminder.) It wasn’t until late last night as I zombie-walked home from the library that I remembered one of the best lessons the Assistants to the President in my mission taught me. No matter how dogged, exhausted, dead-like, and thoroughly worn through they looked, once you walked up to them and said hi they would smile huge and show the enthusiasm of the world solely to you. It was good to remember that small, little attribute they had. It wasn’t out of any prerogative or advice someone gave them. It was just a by-product of working as hard as they can and not letting it chance-affect anybody around them. They were good leaders in our mission.  Read More →