The Missionary Training Center and the Senior Missionaries

We arrived in Provo on Saturday morning but our classes at the Missionary Training Center did not begin until Monday morning. We decided to check in on Saturday so that we could have a day or two to relax before our training began. We checked into our room and were fast asleep by 8:30 pm. I think the last few months of preparation finally caught up with us. We had a wonderful farewell party that our daughter Karrissa and her husband Brad hosted for us the week before we left Sacramento. That is when the good-bye's began. We realized that we wouldn't be seeing my mother again because she was headed to Southern California with my niece the following Monday and would be gone by the time we departed. When my sister and her family left I knew I would probably not be seeing them again either before I left. Bruce said good-bye to his brother David and his son Dave, and then there were friends from church who we wouldn't be seeing the following Sunday who we said our goodbyes to. A few of my very close friends stopped in to say good-bye as well. With each hug good-bye I felt a little tug at my heart! I KNEW THE NEXT WEEK WAS NOT GOING TO BE EASY!



Me with my nieces, Brooke and Brittany, and Brooke's son, Mason

When we got home from the party we both felt emotionally drained.

The following day more goodbyes to our dear friends at church. We concluded the day by joining our children and grandchildren in the Bishops office so that Bruce and I could be set apart as missionaries. This is a very special ordinance performed by our Stake Presidency (leaders of our church).

A very emotional Sunday concluded with saying goodbye at the airport to our son, Nathan and his sweet girlfriend Daysha. They did the best they could to put on a happy face but I know that it was just as hard for them to say good-bye to us as it was for us to say good-bye to them. 18 months is a long time to go without seeing your children.

The next few days were filled with trying to get last minute things done and preparing the house for our renters. We managed to squeeze in as much time with the grandchildren as we could. I picked up my granddaughter Monroe after school and we went shopping for new school shoes while Bruce and Cash hung out at home. We had dinner with Brad, Karrissa and the kids two or three times in an attempt to squeeze in as much time together as we could that final week. Each time we left their house or said good-bye Cash would run and hug us and say, "good-luck on your mission" to both of us. It makes me cry just thinking about it. I heard another Senior Missionary grandmother saying today that "it was hardest to leave the younger ones because their the ones that still want to be with you and are just so happy when they see you". Cash is the youngest in Karrissa's family and we're not sure how much longer he will be so eager to hang out with Nana and Papa. That was a hard week and by the time we got our bags packed and ready to go we had decided that we would say our good-bye's to Karrissa and her family after dinner Friday night. We had a rental car we needed to return to the airport and felt it wasn't necessary for them to drive to the airport just to see us off. That last embrace with each of the children is when the tears started to flow.

I love my family with all my heart. I know that I have been blessed with a wonderful husband and great children and grandchildren. The gospel of Jesus Christ changed my life. I know that I am a child of God. I know that he hears and answers my prayers. I know that one day my family will be together again for all eternity. This time that we have on earth is but a small moment. I want to serve my Heavenly Father. I know he has called me to this mission. The day we left I received a message from my brother it said, "Somewhere in South Africa someone is praying to God for help and he is telling them to be patient......help is on the way. You are the help they are waiting for and you will bless them with help from our Father in Heaven." I am humbled that my Heavenly Father would allow me to be his servant. I know without a doubt that I am on the Lord's errand and I am excited to see what adventures await me and my dear husband. I love you all and thank you for your prayers and support.