Dakota's Farewell and setting apart September 10th 2023

Dakota spoke at the Plain City 6th Ward on September 10th 2023. His talk was amazing and he talked about how badly Shane and I wanted Brax home when he was in the hospital and that God wants us home much more then that. That God wants all of his children back home. It was such a good talk and it made me cry of course. Having such a hard thing happen right before his mission sure made all of us dig deep in our prayers and our testimonies to rely on God. Dakota has been quite the spiritual giant for a long time, but I believe this solidified his testimony. He was blessed with the best of friends that were amazing examples and he was an example to them.

He had the best support at the after party at our house. Joe let us borrow all his tables and chairs and Kiley and Tara decorated. Our backyard looked beautiful. We had carne asada tacos and everyone brought something to share. 

Later that evening Dakota was set apart as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I cried a lot, Brax cried a lot, Cam cried a lot, Shane cried a lot, Dakota cried a lot. It was real. He was leaving. Such a strange feeling to want something so bad while at the same time feeling such sadness. We are so dang proud of his decision to serve and know he is changing the people of Turkiye as well as himself.