Saturday, January 11, 2014

mission call




Akayla's mission call came on Thursday (only 1 1/2 weeks from when her papers were submitted!)!

She drove down from Rexburg with all her sweet roommates.

By- the- way - if you watch this video please ignore how horrible I look.
You never realize how unflattering something you're wearing is until you see a picture or video - ugh!!
I've been losing weight since I had the baby, but it certainly doesn't show in this video!



It's the perfect mission call for Akayla.
In fact it's exactly where Cade (her missionary) predicted she would go!

Akayla's roommates wanted to take some silly, cheesy pictures!
I'm so glad Akayla is living with such sweet girls!





Akayla & Angela
These girls are best friends, and Angela is the sweetest girl!
Love her so much!

We had a delicious dinner together and talked a little bit - but then they had to get back to Rexburg.

We cleaned up and went to bed.  There just wasn't time to even let everything sink in.

So then I woke up in the middle of the night and couldn't shut my brain off.

My emotions are all over the place right now.

On one hand I can't believe I'm old enough to have a daughter old enough to serve a mission (I actually never thought she would go on a mission.  I thought for sure she would be married first - but when the age was lowered from 21 to 19 and she started expressing an interest in serving a mission everything changed!).  I just can't possibly be getting this old!

On the other hand I am so proud and grateful for her desires to serve a mission.

On another hand (Hey - I have 10 kids so I have a lot of hands!!) I'm sad that she will be leaving for 18 months.

On yet another hand I'm so excited for the opportunity she has to serve, especially since I was married young and didn't get to go!

On the last hand I'm completely overwhelmed..... there's so much to do to help her prepare to go!

I would really appreciate any advice from parents who have sent their kids on missions.  
I honestly thought I had a few years before I would be doing this, and I'M NOT READY!!!

good things:
exciting things in the mail
big plans
dear friends

4 comments:

Gina Hallam said...

I totally understand feeling overwhelmed and disbelief that Akayla could even be old enough to go! Follow what is suggested on the list that is provided in the call letter. Take every moment...I know you will to hug her :) For me, that's one of the hardest things having a missionary....I can't hug him when he's so far away and I can't hunt him down to just hug him.

Erika said...

ANGELA! How awesome! I LOVE winters quarters, there is such a special, special spirit there.

Jamie said...

Congratulations Akayla!!! That is going to be the funnest mission ever!!!! A mission--the ULTIMATE experience. I'll never forget the 2 years of special time I had with my parents when we were serving in Portugal. I only go to be a "real" missionary with a real companion out by myself for 1 week but it was one of the best weeks of my life!!!!!

MamaBug said...

My brother-in-law and sister-in-law live in Omaha and we have been to the visitor center many times. You'll have to let me know when she is there and I'll have them check in on her. :)