Soooo, this has been something I thought I would do as soon as Alex submitted his papers. Which was over a year ago. I have enjoyed reading so many blogs that parents from missionaries in Alex's mission have done and I just haven't made the time to do it. I'm still curious to see if I actually get things posted in a timely manner but I guess if I go off of my current schedule then I'll only have a few posts to make and he'll be home :) I'm such a smiley face user, this will be interesting....
I'm not even sure what I'm doing so here's to hoping the words end up coming through much louder than the spelling or layout/look...
Alex was so excited the moment President Monson announced that young men could serve at 18. I'm pretty sure he had been praying for something like that since he was about 15 because that's what he would always tell us, "I just wish I could get this high school stuff out of the way and go on my mission". We, of course were all crying and emotional when the announcement was made, but he was dancing around the kitchen. So a couple months later he started attending mission prep, scheduled his appt. to have his wisdom teeth out and about a month after that he submitted his papers. That was in February of 2013. He was still in high school. (and just a few days before that he was just a little kid, or at least that's what I keep saying)
3 weeks after that he got his call, Florida Tampa Mission, Spanish speaking. Crazy how fast the last few months of high school went. At that point he was still 17. He seemed to be adjusting well to this next adventure and I just had to hold on for the ride (and bring a lot of tissues everywhere I went). He was originally supposed to be heading to the Provo MTC but in then we found out he would be heading to the Mexico City MTC, which at the time wasn't even operational. We happened to find that out in a round about way...at a soccer game. Our stake president asked if we were excited that Alex was going to be going to Mexico? What?? We didn't get that email I guess.
Craziness ensued after that, more paperwork, travel plans, passport, seminary graduation (which Alex spoke at) high school graduation, family parties, short quick family vacation, EFY for Emily and Alex, farewell and get together then drop off at the airport the day before Emily and I left for girls camp (I'm the camp director). what a whirl wind life was and then he was gone. 18 years and then that's it, no weaning, no slowly getting used to the fact we have an adult child now, no nothing, just on a plane and gone to Mexico. He had slept at his grandparents and friends before. He had gone to scout camp a few times. Nothing like this. Talk about adjustment period (we are still adjusting, we still routinely set 5 places at the dinner table) This was the most amazing thing he was doing and should be doing and we were all moping around so sad. He had a few hard days right at the beginning but he remembered how he had said he wouldn't come home for anything and stuck with it and got over his homesickness and jumped right in to being a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Do we still miss him? Sure we do! Do we wish he was here with us, nope, not at all. We know he is serving the Lord and serving the people of Tampa and that is right where he should be. He has grown so much and he has been such a great example to us. Do I worry that we haven't taught him all that he needs to know to be out in the big world without us? Yes, every day. But then I remember he has a Heavenly Father who watches out for him. Who loves him even more than I do (if that's really possible) and who wants him to succeed on his mission and in this life and will do everything he can to help Alex each day. Alex has learned that being obedient does bring happiness and blessings. We have seen his testimony grow and develop so much in just the 9 months that he has been out. It amazes me the scriptures and insight he shares. I think, "I should worry more about me and less about him, he knows what's what". I am so grateful for this wonderful journey we have been on. I am so excited to continue to experience the changes yet to come in his life and in ours as we ride on his coattails.
I have been so impressed with Emily and Taylor and their love for each other and for Alex. They support and care for each other like they are best friends not just siblings.
I'm going to try to get caught up the happenings over the last 9 months so we will see how long that takes me. :)
No comments:
Post a Comment