I have always loved to fish. Most of my love of fishing doesn’t actually come from the very act of casting the line but the memories that are made. I’ve been fishing with Dad, Grandpa’s and friends and there ain’t nothing like casting and reeling in a nice catch. I strongly believe that part of growing up is learning to love the outdoors. When I have my own kids someday, I want to teach them this valuable lesson and share some good ol’ memories on the lake and in the woods.
A childhood memory I have is receiving this play kitchen when I was 2. I got it for Christmas in 2007. I still have this toy to this day and it was my favorite thing to play with as a kid. I’m grateful I got this as a kid and that it has lasted all these years.
#1 - Mount Timpanogos (September 21)
This is one of my favorites of all time. I have been on this mountain a total of five times, three of which have been successful summit attempts. Me and Ben made my third successful summit and the first time I have reached the summit and back down in one day. We had to come into this one with a strong mindset to get to the top in one go because it is not an easy hike. We reached the summit in 2 hours and 59 minutes of moving time, which we were really happy about. We had several wildlife encounters, including close-ups with mountain goats and a large moose.
This is Ben reporting for blog duty...
It's good to be home from my mission. It truly was the best two years of my life. I miss it everyday but I'm excited to move forward in my life. Here's a little bit about my experience coming home...
When I came home from my mission I was assistant to the president so I had a really good experience. I was training the new assistant the last week so I had a lot of time to reflect on my mission and who I had become. I know that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world and I feel extremely blessed and lucky to have served Him. We left on a Wednesday morning so we got a nice dinner in the mission home with President and Sister Heckmann and all the missionaries that were leaving that day. We had our nice testimony meeting and President gave permission for all the Elders to sleep in the mission home. We put all of our mattresses in the main living room and had a great time knowing we would be home in the next 24 hours.
We got up Wednesday morning and drove to the airport. It was a very surreal experience for me driving to the airport knowing I wasn't going to pick up or drop off any missionaries but that I was the one leaving on an airplane. Even writing this I get a little teary. We said goodbye to President and Sister Heckmann and waited in the security line. This is when I got excited to come home and see the family again. The flight from Barcelona Spain to Atlanta Georgia was one of the longest of my entire life and believe me, I've been on some long flights before. I didn't have any movies, barely any books, and I couldn't sleep so it was rough. Not being able to sleep turned out to be a great blessing because I got over the jet lag really quick.
When we got to Atlanta and went through customs I teared up pretty bad because there was a big American flag and a sign that read "Welcome to the United States of America." I had never been so happy to enter our God blessed land. How truly lucky we are to live in a country like this. It's just the best. As amazing as it was, the Atlanta airport is a bit of a nightmare and there was severe weather that delayed our flight about 2 hours. That was brutal. I have never wanted to be home so bad in my entire life and I knew the family was dying is Utah knowing that I hadn't even taken off yet. Not to mention it was the 24th of July and I was missing the festivities. When we finally got on the airplane we all looked and felt pretty tired but I managed to get a little bit of sleep on this flight back to good old Utah. When we started to land I looked over the valley and saw the fireworks and was super excited to be back.
When we landed in Salt Lake and debarked the plane I felt like a celebrity in that airport because everyone in Utah was happy to see the Elders. We made our way over to the gate and my heart was pounding with excitement to see everyone. We stopped as a group of Elders right before we walked out and huddled for prayer. I offered our last prayer in Spanish together and I thanked the Lord for our experiences as missionaries and the lives we changed. I thanked God for the opportunity to serve Him and that we had made it home safely.
The fam could tell you the rest of the story as I walked through those doors. Smiles and tears all around as I returned.
I am extremely grateful for my missionary experience and will never forget the people I met and the relationship I grew with the Lord.
Love,
Ben
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Hi sweetie,
It is so exciting to think that you will be home in just 2 days! Today, as I was taking the sheets off your bed to wash them for your return, I was thinking about the day we dropped you off at the MTC. Dad and I were both very emotional and I remember thinking that the summer of 2024 was too far away. And yet somehow here we are! I am so grateful we were able to talk to you every week but some weeks felt long! It wasn’t easy but I wouldn’t trade the growth, experiences and blessings for anything. You are an amazing missionary and we are so grateful for your willingness to fulfill your priesthood responsibilities. Being a missionary is a great foundation and you will reflect on it for the rest of your life. Your relationship with the Savior will continue to grow as you keep the righteous habits you have learned on your mission. Just before you hung up on your last p-day, we were teary as we talked about the end of your mission. It’s hard to say goodbye to the people you have come to love but the Lord needs you to come home and continue on the path. You will always be a missionary. I am positive you will continue to help others come unto Christ through your friendship, example and love.
You are a remarkable young man and Dad and I feel blessed to be your parents. We love you dearly and we are always here for you. You are in our prayers as you transition from full-time missionary service to being a university student. You will continue to great things as you put the Lord first in your life.
Enjoy your last couple of days and we can’t wait to hug you on Wednesday!
Love you forever and ever,
Mom
P.S. It was so fun to receive TWO messages from people who saw you last week. ❤️
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| I took Luke and Sam to FSY at BYU today. We're checking Luke out to see you at the airport on Wednesday. |
Hi sweetie,
I hope you have had a good week. I know that there are a lot of emotions as you finish your mission. While it’s hard to leave the people you have come to love, it is also exciting to think about coming home. Please know that you are in our prayers as you cope with all the feelings that come at the end of your mission. You have been a wonderful missionary and we have felt the blessings of your service. Dad and I couldn’t be happier with the way you have chosen to serve the Lord.
We had quite a shock yesterday afternoon when we learned that there was an assassination attempt on President Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania. One civilian was killed and another is in critical condition. The gunman was killed as well. I can’t imagine the horror that the people in attendance must’ve experienced. I am so saddened by it all and my prayers are with this divided nation.
It was kind of a rough week. Dad and I learned that Grandpa and Grandma Orton are in some financial trouble, so we spent some time this week trying to help them get things in order. It is a little discouraging to me but I’m praying a lot- mostly that I can be compassionate to their situation and they will have a change of heart and be able to better prioritize their resources. Dad put tithing in their new budget and we both testified that miracles will happen if they pay their tithing.
Sara went to Empower dance everyday this week and she will also go 3 days this week. She loves it and i’m glad.
Luke did some service at the Gale center for his youth city council position this week. It made me remember the time we used to spend at the Gale center when you guys were kids. Fun memories.
Oh, and Luke got a 5 on his AP world history test which is great!
I played the organ for the third time today. I was a little more nervous this time because I didn’t play simplified hymns but it worked out great. I really do love it and I feel the Lord blessing my efforts.
Mary played an intermediate piano solo in sacrament meeting today. It was lovely. I enjoyed sitting on the stand and watching how music calms, quiets, and causes people to reflect. Music is powerful.
Dad is busy in his stake president calling. It’s missionary season so he is frequently setting missionaries apart, releasing missionaries, etc… We have felt the blessings of Dad’s service.
We went to Michael’s mountain biking race in Park City this week. It was 10 degrees cooler in Park City than in the valley but it was still 94 degrees. Very hot but Michael did amazing!
We saw Parker Young at Cafe Rio yesterday. He came home sick in May and is now finishing as a service missionary. It was great to see him.
Dad is calling the U of U tomorrow and we will see if we can arrange for the writing class you need.
We love you dearly.
Keep up the great work.
Love you forever and ever,
Mom
Hi sweetie,
Happy Sunday! It was so great to talk to you twice this week for the 4th of July and p-day. As you know we were in Bear Lake and we missed you so it was great to be able to chat. We had a good time in Bear Lake. Last year it was raining most of the time but our weather this year was beautiful! It was sunny and 78 degrees every day. It was a little cold getting out of the water (and Bear Lake water is freezing) but it was so nice to be outside and not sweating. And we didn’t have to turn on the air conditioner in the trailer. We rented a boat which was fun too. We taught Michael and Mary to waterski and they loved it. Luke tried it too and he was able to get up but he didn’t love it as much. I was able to waterski and it was so much fun. It was good for me to know I can still do it. I’m grateful that I wasn’t sore after. All those fitness classes are worth it! The water was really choppy and one of the rental skiis was ripped where the foot goes in so that wasn’t great, but we had fun anyway. We’re pretty sure Bear Lake needs to be a yearly trip, so we look forward to having you with us next year. Although, Mary announced to us while we were in Bear Lake that she is for sure going on a mission hopefully in January, so she won’t be with us next summer. I’m sad to think about getting you home and then loosing Mary, but I’m also really happy for Mary. A mission develops a relationship with Heavenly Father like nothing else in life can. She will be a great missionary.
Dad went to Houston overnight last week for meetings and he has to do it again this week. Sometimes I get tired when I think about keeping up the pace your Dad does. We were all tired after Bear Lake but Dad jumped up this morning and has been at the Stake Center all day starting at 7:00am. Then tomorrow morning he will be off to work again. I am so grateful for his willingness to work hard, help us play hard, and serve the Lord.
I read a scripture in Alma 30:44 this morning that has had me thinking. Korihor (the anti-Christ) is asking for a sign that there is a God and Alma says, “the scriptures are laid before thee, yea, and all things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth and all things that are upon the face of it…” I have been thinking lately of the beauty of the earth that surrounds us. I am so grateful for this earth that was created for us. There is so much beauty in people and nature and I know the Lord is glad when we recognize it.
It made me think about our recent visit to the natural history museum in New York. The ticket agent told us that a documentary was included with our museum entrance ticket and she suggested we go to the movie about earth. It was sooooo hot and humid outside, so we welcomed some time in an air conditioned theater. We sat in a circular planetarium style theater and the movie started above our heads. I was amazed at the spectacular graphics and sound but then the movie started to explain scientifically how the earth was created by basically a big boom. At first I was overwhelmed. There were so many people being led astray by this nonsense. I wondered how we can teach the plan of salvation to all of them. Then my heart was calmed as I thought about you and the many other missionaries throughout the world that are spreading the word of God and teaching truth. I felt sad too. I was sad that the movie didn’t give any recognition to God for his goodness and the wonder of His creations. But most of all, I left the theater feeling grateful for the plan of salvation and the truth and joy that comes from living the gospel of Jesus Christ.
I hope you have a wonderful week. You are in our prayers.
Love you forever and ever,
Mom
Hi sweetie,
It is July 1st! That means you come home THIS MONTH! We are getting so excited. Of course we want you to continue working till the very end AND we are so excited to hug you again.
We went to the George Strait concert on Saturday night at Eccles stadium. It was soooo good. We took lots of videos that we will share with you when you get home. The pre-show bands were ‘Little Big Town’ and ‘Chris Stapleton’. They were just ok. The pre-show started at 5:45pm and it was 97 degrees outside so it was super crowded and hot. But once George came out on stage at 9:15pm, the time flew by and it was so much fun. He ended at 11:30pm and we didn’t want it to end. The Trax train was SUPER crowded going home so we had to wait for a while for a train with space to fit us. It was 2:00am by the time we got in bed. I felt so bad for Dad because he woke up at 6:30am for stake presidency meetings. I used to do ok on little sleep but it’s getting harder. It seems like I have had a few sleepless nights lately because of our red-eye to New York and early morning flight back to Salt Lake.
Sadly our tickets weren’t together for the George Strait concert so I’ll send pictures from both point of views.
I was set apart before church yesterday as a ward organist. I’ll be playing about once a month- taking turns with Anna Loveland and Alicia Taylor. The blessing that Brian Watson gave me was very special. The Lord told me in the blessing that as I am diligent in practicing and preparation, I will be able to invite the Spirit through music. I have already experienced that as i have played twice before. The Lord enhances my talents.
I’m sorry that Demetrius died. He almost made it through both yours and Michael’s missions. I miss saying Hi to him when I take laundry to that room.
Luke interviewed at Chick-fil-A and did a couple of A-1 drives with Marjean last week. He’s hoping to be working and have his drivers license soon. He is also doing weights at the gym frequently. I think you are going to be shocked at how much he has grown.
Sara has bands on her braces now. It’s not convenient but she’s hoping to be done with them before our cruise. We’ll see.
Hope you have a great week! Love you forever and ever,
Mom
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| Games at the Lovelands |
Hi sweetie,
I’m writing from our hotel room in New York City. Dad and I brought Mary for her senior trip. We have had a lovely few days despite the heat. It was 95 degrees today but it felt even warmer because of the humidity. For sure the Stepan’s don’t let that stop us though. For example, Dad’s alarm went off at 6:00am yesterday morning. We were at breakfast in our hotel lobby at 7:00am and at the 9/11 memorial by 8:00. We were able to take some pictures and enjoy some quiet time at the memorial pools before the crowds came. We entered the museum right at 9:00 when it opened. We couldn’t believe the crowds at the pools after our museum visit. I’ll never complain about Dad’s alarm on vacation again. It’s worth it to get a good start on the day. 9/11 museum is a special place. I cried as I thought about the lives that were lost and the terror that was experienced by so many. As terrible as it was however, there were also tender mercies. For example, the retaining wall held back the Hudson. If that wall would’ve been breached it would have been so much worse.
We had a unique experience attending church today. Since the Manhattan temple is under construction, our church is sharing a building with the United Church of Christ. It is Bailey and Crawford’s ward but they are in Salt Lake. They told us that the church pays $50,000/month in rent. In any case, it is a special friendship between our church and theirs. It was neat to see our hymnal next to theirs along with the Bible.
I was sustained as a ward organist in our ward today along with Anna Loveland and Alicia Taylor. I feel humbled because I’m not that good but I have already witnessed that the Lord will help me and make up for what I lack. Truth is- I’ve always wanted to learn to play the organ and I love it! It is so powerful to blast the hymns. My goal is to help others feel the spirit through music.
Cheesecake! We found a New York cheesecake place called Juniors. Yummy! Dad got a brownie cheesecake and Mary and I got strawberry. So tasty!
Wicked! We saw wicked yesterday and it was amazing. The singing, dancing, costumes… all of it! I didn’t want it to end.
John’s pizza and stage door deli are still incredible.
Empire State Building was really fun. Dad was scared but he did ok.
Hope you have a great week! We will call the UofU about your hold.
Love you forever and ever,
Mom
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| Sunday dinner in our hotel room |
Hi sweetie,
We had a good time celebrating dad for Father's Day today. It was wonderful to talk to you again and Dad loved the video we made for him.
Dad and I had a great time in Chicago this week for the Savage Leadership Forum. We are excited to learn that next year the Forum will be in Kansas City which will be fun as well. Dad and I arrived in Chicago on Monday and our Forum didn’t start until Wednesday so we spent two days together exploring which was really nice. Dad and I don’t get a lot of time together with his work and stake president calling so it was great to be together for a couple of days. We went on a riverboat architecture tour- our tour guide is a high school architecture teacher and he was full of interesting facts about Chicago and the buildings. Dad braved the 103 floors of the Willis tower and he even stepped out on the glass ledge for a picture. We ate Chicago dogs and deep dish pizza. Yum! We visited the Chicago aquarium too which was cool. We did a segway tour of Chicago which was really fun as well but maybe my favorite part was being able to visit the art institute of Chicago. I found a new favorite Renoir called two sisters that literally made me cry. It reminds me of Mary and Sara and I love it! I also saw so many vangough's, monet’s, and surat’s. Amazing! I can’t wait to take you to Chicago one day.
Luke was at YM camp in Idaho and Sara was at girls camp in American Fork canyon while we were in Chicago. Thankfully, Mary was at home to take care of Nana and Demetrius. Both Mary and Luke had a great time at their camps.
I played the organ for the second time today and it went better than the first time. I felt a little less nervous. After church Dad and I met with Brian Watson and he officially called me to serve as a ward organist. I am excited because I love music and I feel like the Lord has prepared me. Over a year ago I had the empresion to practice the piano regularly and I have been practicing at least 15 minutes per day ever since. Now I know why. A couple people commented after sacrament meeting that they couldn’t believe I was even able to use the organ pedals but I don’t. In fact, because I was out of town this week, I even played the hymns from the simplified hymn book but no one could tell. I know that the Lord is making up for my lack so that the spirit can be felt in the meeting. That is my whole goal is to help people feel the spirit through music. I liked sitting on the stand too. I think it might help me feel more comfortable speaking one day too. In addition, Brian said there will be other ward organists, so I won’t need to play every week which is nice. Sometimes at the end of the week, my hands hurt from practicing. It will be nice to have more than one week to prepare my hymns. I’m still primary secretary too.
Well, we will be in New York for Mary’s senior trip when you call next week. I don’t know how we are so blessed to get to do two big cities right in a row but it’s great.
We love you dearly and you are constantly in our thoughts and prayers. Keep up the great work.
Love you forever and ever,
Mom
