October General Conference

By Leslie Smith: One of these days (in about 16 months) I will get to experience the utter joy and contentment that my friend Shelley now has after seeing her missionary son and giving him a hug after two long years. She and her husband traveled down to Guatemala to pick up Elder Winn at the end of September when he finished his mission. He and Jordan met when they were both in the city and Elder Winn was his zone leader. As their service together continued, his mom and I shared many stories and feelings back and forth. We finally got to meet in August for the first time. It was wonderful beyond words to give her a hug in person!

As luck would have it, both Elder Winn and Smith were transferred to Peten and continued to be in the same zone together. This area was one of Elder Winn's most favorite and he made sure it was a place that he re visited with his parents when he finished his mission. They happened to go to Peten during General Conference weekend when all the missionaries gathered at the Stake Center in San Benito to watch Conference. The American elders sat in a little room together to watch it in English...And Shelley got to sit with them. L-U-C-K-Y!!

As a missionary mom, she knows exactly what a picture means to a family who loves and misses their missionary so much! She captured many fun moments of their day to share with all of us and also took a couple packages for him from home.

Quick note from Shelley Winn (pictured with her son Jack Winn and my son Jordan Smith), "Jordan was even more handsome in real life if that is possible. He has a million dollar smile and is the guy all the other elders hover around. He is just as I imagined him and it was so special to finally be able to meet him. He seems so happy Leslie! You should be so proud of him!! Of course I know you already are. ;) I wondered if he got sick of me taking so many pictures though. lol He didn't wait long to dig into his packages and enjoyed his milk duds during conference. I told him that I was going to take a picture of him opening it before he got home and he just laughed. Peten is beautiful and the people are very sweet. I know he is in a good place."

His packages had instructions not to open until he got to his house, but he NEVER listens to his mom and opened them both right away!

The picture above is of Jordan reading a couple of wedding announcements of female friends from high school.

Elders Smith, Thacker, and Toolson

Passing around a few conference treats!

One last photo of Elders Winn and Smith!

THANK YOU SHELLEY! WELL DONE ELDER WINN! May your reunion as a family be everything you dreamed of.