Lilly in Iowa & Jack, Logan and Sam Wirick and Mom Angela from Coeur d'Alene

            Lilly is in Iowa but I know she will miss Grandma & Grandpa too.

 Jack, Logan, Sam Wirick, with Mom Angela, missing us in Coeur d'Alene.

The setting apart was very special and we are now ready to go to the MTC in the morning as Elder and Sister Ballard! Can't believe it is really here!

Preparing to leave the house for our 18 month mission to Mesa, AZ

Richard and Gloria will soon be known as Elder and Sister Ballard. We are headed to the Arizona Mesa Mission, as visitor center missionaries. We will spend 8 days in the MTC, beginning July 1st.

It’s been a flurry of activity around our home for a while now. We have had a lot to do and plenty of socializing before we depart.

We are so excited to have this great opportunity!

My two girls helped me start a blog, so that I can report how things are going. I am looking forward to learning new things and having a new adventure. 

We are trying not to think about the friends and family we will miss but hope to see many of them in Arizona!

Preparing to go has been an exciting experience. It's like moving but only partially. Lots of cleaning, packing, organizing, praying, studying, socializing to say goodbye, sorting, shopping, etc.

The big food giveaway or helping the kids with food storage? All the grandkids wanted were the fruit roll-ups. 

This all has to get in the car, Richard is worried. This isn't even all of it. The MTC suitcases are in the other room. Oh boy!

You have never seen my pantry look like this. EMPTY!

              I told the kids to look sad, Grandma & Grandpa are leaving, this is the best they could do.

              Below the smiling Grandchildren I will hold dear to my heart, along with the four others out of state.

Gretchen, Lucy, Kaleigh, Rachel, Luke, Isaiah, Jake, Gracie, Adam, Layla, the Utah Ballards.