July 2023

The biggest event of July by far was bidding Julia farewell as she entered the MTC in advance of her mission in Germany. It was a special joy for Justin during Julia's freshman year at BYU to meet up with her for post-devotional lunches and other special times together.

Meeting up with former mission comrades, Stu Matheson and Jordan Johnsen, as well as their wives, Suzy and Alison.

Rocking it at the Provo Freedom Festival Parade--front row seats courtesy of Wayne Latu and family.

Sweet Elinor turned five on July 5th! Her magical birthday!

Justin escaped briefly from his new appointment as AVP for a short trip to London for a conference on religious liberty. His dear friend and BYU colleague, Paul Kerry, gave him a tour of the City.

One highlight of the trip to London was reconnecting with Mahan Mirza, a friend and neighbor from our graduate school days in New Haven, who now directs a center for global religious engagement at Notre Dame.

A bigger highlight by far than a trip to London was going to the temple with Julia just before the beginning of her mission. We can't begin to say how much we love this wonderful lady--nor how much we miss her.

On July 17, the fateful day came. We dropped Julia off at the Provo MTC. Then Lia and the other kids returned home to console themselves with ice cream, while I returned, disconsolate, to my office on campus.

July is a big birthday month for us. Gwyn turned 9 on the 9th (another magical birthday!), and Abdiel turned 11 on the 31st.

Gabriel was very excited to give his beloved big brother a VERY BIG Incredibles t-shirt.

Special dresses from Nin and Opa in Mexico--all the more special because they were delivered by Uncle Gabe.

The world's best and most beautiful missionary!

The world's best and cutest graduate of Waterford Upstart!

A waterslide bouncy house party for Gwyn and her buddies!

Delectable lodgings for an epic Suttner family reunion in Montana! We had some adventures riding RZRs and fun playing games. We loved connecting with extended family and taking a big road trip as a nuclear family.

Seriously? World's handsomest future missionary (tied with Abdiel).