For Memory Monday this is going to be a little different. It will explain where we were this weekend and how we got there, but also look back like I normally do. If you read through I hope you think this is as great a story as I do.
Andy and I wrote to each other his whole mission. He didn't mention much about his mission. So, when he did it was important to pay attention to it. When he was in Portland, Texas he wrote this exactly 9 years ago (March 2000), "We had a good family come to church yesterday for the first time. I believe they are going to be kingdom builders. They're not quite ready for baptism, but I think it could be fairly soon."
The next letter he wrote me (April 2000) said, "Cheryl Sinclair, the wife of the family that was coming to church, got baptized. " (see Photo)
L to R Elder Downs, Chris, Cheryl, Andy
Christopher Amanda and Emily
"Amanda (10) and Emily (8) should end up getting baptized before the end of the month. Chris (Dad) and Christopher (4) are going to take some time. They are a great family in any case. She came to all four sessions of conference!" (Yes, HE used an exclamation point, weird I know.) After Andy left the area Chris was baptized. A few years ago they moved to San Diego. Since we last saw them, they also added 2 more boys. Cameron Andrew (5) and Gabriel (2).
L to R Andy, Heidi
Cheryl, Emily, Christopher, Gabriel and Chris
Cameron Andrew
Saturday March 7, 2009, Andy and I were the witness couple for their endowment session in the San Diego temple. Andy was a witness as they were sealed to each other and then as a family. (Amanda is an adult and needs to receive her own endowment when the time is right. She was unable to be there.) Andy was so excited he could hardly stand it. I can't imagine what it must have been like. He met this family and has been there through so much. He loves them and keeps in contact with them. They are a part of of our family whether they like it or not.
We had a marvelous time and they are a great family like he said in his letters. I mentioned this a lot while we were there, but I LOVE that Andy's namesake, little Cameron, was a male Anneke. It was so funny!
