IT'S DECEMBER 18, 2013 AND JAKE IS OFFICIALLY ELDER PENNINGTON

A brief summary of the events leading up to his official start date as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints which is December 18, 2023.

On December 15th, our close family friend (Meggan Boston) took family pics for us at the Memphis Botanic Gardens as well as a special "missionary" photo shoot for Jake which turned out awesome (above is one of our favorites).


Before starting his mission, it is customary that the departing missionary speak at church.  Since we moved from one ward (congregation) to a new one only a year ago, the Bishops of both The Walnut Grove Ward and the Collierville 1st Ward asked him to speak so he pulled double duty on Sunday, Dec 17, 2023 and spoke on the topic of "How the Christ-like attribute of Charity will help him be a good missionary."

 He posted an invite on social media for everyone to come and hear him speak as well as to come to our home that afternoon for an Open House to say their Good-bye's.

 As a full-time missionary, Jake will live a little differently than he does now.  Because he will be dedicating all his time and talents to serving the Savior Jesus Christ and the people of Ogden, Utah, he will not watch television, be on social media, or even speak with family and friends from home outside of a weekly email.  His friends were taken back by the thought that he wouldn't be on SnapChat or IG or doing many of the other things they often do as friends to keep in touch.  Jake was very grateful that so many came to wish him well as he truly values his friends. Although he will miss family and friends dearly, he feels strongly about the choice he made a long time ago to serve a mission and go wherever the Lord would have him go - in this case the Utah Ogden Mission.







Family picture before speaking in the Walnut Grove Ward



Open House - lotsa good food and many of Jake's favorites
including his Papa's fried rice and meatballs and Mr. Dan's cookies.

Open House - so many friends stopped by to wish him well and as Jake kept saying,
not to say "Good-bye" but "See you later!" 

Jake and all of his great friends from his years at FACS.
He is going to miss you all!


Everyone left the Open House around 5pm except for our Stake President - Glenn Burns.  We gathered as a family in a special room of the house that Jake nicknamed our "Jesus Room" because of the many pictures of the Savior that are hung there and also because of the peaceful atmosphere.  Pres. Burns spoke briefly with our family and then invited Jon and Nathan to stand in with him as he placed his hands upon Jake's head and set him apart as a full-time missionary in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

After being set apart, he proudly put on his missionary tag and is now officially Elder Pennington for the next 2 years.


Enjoy additional pics of friends and family below!


















































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