Eleven-Year-Old Nathan Receives the Priesthood

An announcement from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that all youth would move up in their classes on January 1st rather than on their birthdays caused us a quick trip to Wisconsin.  The announcement also included that eleven- year -olds could be ordained to the priesthood to the office of deacon.  Our oldest grandson, Nathan, who will turn twelve in August was among many throughout the world this announcement affected.  In a matter of a few days, we bought tickets to fly to Wisconsin to be there for his ordination.  Kristen is expeciting their sixth baby in the middle of February.  She greatly desired to take Nathan and Brielle to the temple in Chicago (three hour drive) before she could no longer travel, meaning right now.  So we hurried and bought tickets and were there for the ordination on January 7th, so that they could make their temple trip on Friday, January, 11th.

We arrived on Saturday evening and attended church with the Mackrorys on Sunday morning.  Jared taught a great lesson in gospel doctrine.

That afternoon at 5:00 the bishop came to their home to do the ordination.

Nathan and I and a photo bomber

It is difficult to get a picture with Sammy.  He was in the mood that day.

Those involved in his ordination.  That is their bishop and good friend, Steve Thurmon

In preparation for the new family centered Come Follow Me program, the Mackrorys changed their spare room into a gospel library room.  Brielle (for her personal progress project in Divine Nature) and her dad built shelves for gospel books.  They moved the bed out and bought tables and chairs and notebooks so that the whole family could gather for gospel study.  They had a great gospel discussion on the first lesson while we were there.  Brielle and Nathan were particularly involved.

Monday morning was really fun.  The older children were in school, and Ken and I had a good time with Sammy and Audrey.

Audrey had a great desire to tie up her grandpa

Then the Grandpa Machine got into full production.

Grandpa machines often break down with the child in midair.

Kristen got a much needed nap while we played right by her.  How she slept with all that commotion, I don't know.  She was a tired mama.  She works so hard.

Repairing the grandpa machine involves tickling it's head.  The children tickle and watch for life to return to he grandpa's legs, indicating the machine is repaired.

We took Audrey to afternoon Kindergarten, then took Kristen out to lunch at Cheddar's.  It was delicious food, and oh, so fun to have Kristen to ourselves (mostly) for a couple of hours.

We then did some shopping.

Audrey showed off her cartwheel skills for grandma's camera.

I made enchiladas for dinner.

Audrey told the story of Zachariah and Elisabeth and John for family home evening and Brielle, again for her personal progress, gave a lesson on service.  The activity was Pinchy, Fisty, Flatty, Cutty, Cow- an old Hinton family tradition.

We left early Tuesday morning to fly home.  It was a short, but delightful visit with the Mackrory family.