Waiting for his arrival from Berlin to Paris to Salt Lake City!

Seeing everyone as he stepped through the doors.

Yes....I cried....Therefore a back shot....

Proud Father!

 Talking and hugging Grandparents.

Saying goodbye to his missionary family.

New people he got to meet for the first time!

 Kyle thought Aubrey was a lot taller....Aubrey thought
Kyle was a lot shorter....

I think this is Ryan Jr!

Kyle is fresh from Germany today. He said he had a scuff mark on his shoe and his mission President shined them for him before he went home so he would look sharp.

Coolest item Kyle brought home was a very old Martin Luther Bible from an antique store. It was in German. Martin Luther is my favorite reformer, he sacrificed so much to keep the words of the Bible alive.

Willkommenes Heim Elder Seljaas!

Auzzy's first letter..

I sent him with a stamp and an envelope with instructions to let us know who his comp was and how his first day went....This is what he wrote.

Yo Family,

Was Gooood!?!? Today was crazy long! Right when I got here I went through orientation. Met everyone in my district, went to a meeting, ate lunch, and then did a big thing where like 50 of us taught mock investigators. Then we met our Zone Leaders. A kid from my district is from Davis, and his cousin went to my school!

My companion is Elder Ellis. He's way cool. He's from Missouri, I can't complain about how long today has been, because he woke up at 3 a.m. to have his flight to get here today. He plays Basketball, Football, and runs track.

Our room mates are Elder Worth, (he's the one that knows Zack Romney, Erica's husband). I can't remember the other Elders name, but he's from Texas and he's really big, and he's 21. Our Zone leaders are really cool too.

I was also right with T.J. Rock all day, and I saw a lot of people I know.

It was crazy, but even just being here today, my testimony has grown. I know the Church is true and I'm so glad I'm here!

Elder Austin Levi Seljaas

Auzzy's journey to the MTC

Saying goodbye to Aunt's, Uncle's, Grandparents and Family (I'm mad there are no picks of the Seljaas Aunt's and Uncles or the rest of my Family! Where was my head!!!!)....

 The men who set him apart as a missionary....

Friends who came to say goodbye.... many already gone. Some left behind at college who he was able to talk to on the phone one last time and who he will miss more than he could say....

Tired from the late night talking to friends for the last time....



He was looking forward to breaking his phone in half....so he did....

The ride to the MTC...Kirsten upset because she thinks you should get "Presents" on "Presents Day" We say, Baby it's "Presidents day" not "Presents Day."

 Funny faces being played to pass the time in the car....
Auzzy making up Mexican Rap songs in church discussion form in horrible Spanish...wish we would have recorded that one!!!! Pretty funny....

 Family picks in the parking lot. Other Families were crying....we were not. It was a happy day and we were excited for him, but I kinda felt bad for not crying. I just felt too happy...except for the fact that
Kyle will miss him though by a week. Auzzy wont see him for 4 years.

 Kirsten kept playing in the mud then wanting to get it on Auzzy.....on purpose...don't know why...she's naughty I guess....

 Tim and Aust take a pic for the last time in about 4 years. I wonder where Tim will be when Austin gets back?....

 The brothers and sisters minus Kyle....

Dad was sad...he loves his baby Austin....A man of few words, highly intelligent, with a huge heart....















Mom was excited and happy for the new journey he is about to experience....She loves her baby boy too!... (Kirsten in the background playing in the mud...making sure it's thick on her shoes....)

 

 We dropped him off at the curbside... Gave a quick hug...left him with an Elder Parry from Lehi, Utah who was a very nice Elder. Austin left with him excited, happy and confident...we left in the car missing  his humor, smile, peacefulness and his presence. But with a happiness and excitement for the struggles, blessings and most of all the lives he will touch.

Buen Suerte Elder Seljaas!!!!! Te Extrana!!!!

1 Now behold, a ^amarvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men.

 2 Therefore, O ye that embark in the ^aservice of God, see that ye^bserve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand ^cblameless before God at the last day.

 3 Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God ye are ^acalled to the work;

 4 For behold the ^afield is white already to ^bharvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in^cstore that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul;

 5 And ^afaith, ^bhope, ^ccharity and ^dlove, with an ^eeye single to the^fglory of God, ^gqualify him for the work.

 6 Remember faith, ^avirtue, knowledge, ^btemperance, ^cpatience,^dbrotherly ^ekindness, ^fgodliness, charity, ^ghumility, ^hdiligence.

 7 ^aAsk, and ye shall receive; ^bknock, and it shall be opened unto you. Amen.

D&C 4:1-7

Feb 6, 2013
This is the pic we sent in
with his mission papers.
Today I sent my second baby to the MTC. It seemed like all the Mothers were crying in the Temple parking lot....Not me....I don't know why. Will I miss him? Of course! Do I love him? With all my heart! But I am honestly not sad at all. I am so excited for him. I know he will be challenged, have hardships, get sick, and have many other unknown things happen. But I feel at peace. I look forward to his growing up. It's exciting to me. I get teary when I think of him baptizing someone for the first time. Or visualizing him enjoying and loving the people of Mexico.

I love him and I can't believe my baby is this old! But he is, and it is time for him to leave home and go experience new things. And I am happy for him.