Monday, May 12, 2014

14 days ago......

may not be a great picture, but it's a great memory!!

Just 14 days ago we did what we have done so many times before.

We played our instruments together.

We laughed, made mistakes, dropped music, harmonized, and enjoyed some of our favorites together.

The difference that night was that the next day we would be saying goodbye to Akayla for 18 months.

Our quartet would be broken up for a time.

I've avoided writing this post because it's still a fresh wound.  I'm still sad that she's gone.  I still miss her (I know I will miss her the whole time).  And I still tear up when I think of her or see her slippers in the closet, or her violin in my music room.

Just a few days ago my husband found my camera that I thought I had lost.  

I didn't remember if I had any pictures on there so I checked.

These pictures from the morning we drove Akayla to the Missionary Training Center were on there......










Oh my heart!!
It was Dave's idea to take pictures of her saying goodbye to the younger kids because Akayla is worried about them not remembering her when she gets back.  (Tanner just happened to be around longer..... can't remember why, but we drove him to school late.)

That was an awfully tearful morning.  Poor Akayla had to say goodbye to everyone in sets and every time there were lots and lots of tears.

Even though I miss her I wouldn't want her back right now.

I am so happy with where she is and what she's doing.

And it makes me joyful to hear how much she's enjoying what she's doing (even though it's overwhelming and hard at times).  

I know I sound like a crazy person, but ask any other missionary momma and you would hear the same feelings!

We all got to talk to her yesterday (Mother's Day), and she was so excited to tell us all about what she's been learning the past 13 days.  She sounds like a missionary, and she bears a powerful testimony.  She loves her Savior and wants to tell other people about Him.

I'm just grateful!

But I'm really looking forward to her returning home in 18 months too!!


good things:
capturing moments
playing music
getting my viola repaired from a Landon mishap

2 comments:

Heidi said...

Reading your post makes me tearful and joyful at the same time too. I'm so happy for her that she has the opportunity to serve a mission. It was so stretching, fulfilling and rewarding for me.

Unknown said...

I love you guys so much I miss you so much