I'm so excited for my brother. Today my family called me and I got to talk to my Mom, Dad, Dan, Matthew, Jenny, and Tiffany on the phone. I would have preferred to be there with them, but that was not an option so I guess this was the next best thing. Anyway...we had this phone call so that Matthew could open his mission call. He is going to the Rio de Janeiro, Brazil mission, and he will be speaking Portuguese! I'm so excited for him!

It's really hard to have a brother on a mission. I missed Dan so much when he was gone, and I know that my feelings for Matthew will be the same. At the same time though, I would never trade the blessings that come from having a member of my family on a mission. I have never felt more strongly a feeling of family unity and being sealed for eternity than when Dan was on his mission. It means that the best Christmas present in the world is getting to talk to Matthew and getting to pray with my whole family, knowing that he is praying with us even though he is thousands of miles away. I'm so grateful for Matthew's example to me, and for the wonderful brother that he is.

I love my family so much. I wish I could be with them more, but I'm so grateful for my knowledge of the gospel and the plan of salvation. I can't wait to be with my family forever. I'm so grateful for temples and that my family is sealed together, that is such a blessing in my life.