ELI'S SETTING APART!

 After we finished racing through Eli's luncheon/open house and quickly got it all cleaned up (thanks to Sara) we raced over to the stake center for Eli's setting apart at 3:30pm! The Stake President said we could invite extended family and the room would hold 20-30 people so we invited everyone who was 12 years old and older and were worthy to have a temple recommend...we wanted to make sure the spirit was able to be there and be present for Eli. When President Rogers came in he talked to us for a few minutes and went over some at home MTC rules, etc and then he wanted everyone to go around the room and share some advice with Eli. With all the people there it was pretty amazing that everyone gave a different piece of advice...be yourself, mind your manners, love the people of Peru, remember to play soccer with them, etc. He had Jared and I go last and we both got super emotional about it and I got to look at Eli and just mouth the words, "I love you".  I wanted him to remember how much I love him and to remember to be himself while he is there because that is why people love him, is because of who he is. It was really sweet. Then he asked Eli to share his testimony again. Then he invited all the Melchezidek Priesthood holders to come up and help set him apart. After everyone was in a circle right before he started, President Rogers asked me if I could hear him and I remember that being a really sweet moment. The prayer was very long, but very amazing.

 Some of the things that stick out to me the most are: 

- Your companions will be hard, but you will be an example and they will become better men and fathers because of you

- Some companions will become eternal friends

- the Gift of Tongues

- if he follows the rules he will be mentally and physically well and he will return home whole

- There will be struggles but there will be al ot of blessings too

After the prayer I got to put his name tag on for the first time as an official representative for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints! Then we took some pictures and then we all headed back to our house for a big family dinner! (Veros thin crust cheese pizza, buttercrust pepperoni pizza, buttercrust bbq chicken pizza, chopped salad, vegetable, fruit and soft serve). It always so great having both our families together and especially today to honor Eli! 

Outside Jared and boys put up flag poles and we hung the mission flags from the Grandpas missions, Jared's and Elis! 

Grandpa Rodgers 
Southwest Indian Mission
1964-1966

Grandpa Jensen
Southern States Mission
1970-1972

Jared
Recife Brazil Mission
1995-1997

Eli
Lima Peru South Mission
2025-2027