Mission Prep - {reality just hit}

This past weekend was so full of milestones - and I can't quite seem to formulate coherent thoughts about it.

 

On Friday, my oldest son went through the Draper LDS Temple in preparation for serving his mission in a month or so.  It was such a special moment in our lives, and I am full of joy at his decision to take this sacred step in his life.  The feelings are too tender to share, so like Mary, I will keep and ponder these things in my heart.

Saturday was full of preparations to host our families and friends as they came to support Bryson as he spoke in church and to wish him well on the mission.

Yard work, and food prep, and setting up tables and chairs...   It was worth it though.

Sunday was the day of Bryson's mission farewell talk at church.   Max was asked to be the youth speaker (his first time speaking at church, ever!), and he did such a great job.  He was terrified, but he just read his paper, and did great.  No hint of a nervous quivering in his voice at all...   Then it was Bryson's turn.  

No notes, no script.  He just spoke from his heart about how his youth had prepared him to go out and serve a full-time mission.  He talked about each member of the family and how we have been examples to him and that he was trying to take pieces of all of us and use them to become a better person.   He also talked about his dad (of course), and how powerful his example of being a missionary had affected his life - and how much he (Bryson) had learned from his dad about loving the people you teach.

It was an excellent talk, and I was so impressed with how well he did without having any notes in front of him!!!  I was also impressed how well I was holding it together - until the last song.  

Then it hit me.  It was over.  The moment that you know is coming from the time you are told you are having a boy - The Missionary Farewell - is here and over.  

There is so much anticipation leading up to this time.   From the time they are tiny and singing "I Hope They Call Me on a Mission" through their youth as they try and determine for themselves if they really do want to go, a mission is on the mind of every Mormon parent.   And once the decision is made to go, there is so much busy-ness happening, that you almost don't realize that it's really here.  This really is the moment, and he really is leaving.

And my family will never be the same.

Which is good and fine and as it should be...  

But changed nevertheless.

In the middle of raising littles, we feel like this is it.  This stage will last forever, and this is my life for the rest of my life.  But my friends.  It passes.  Before you know it, it passes.   

Change is good.  Life is good.  

Enjoy the journey, right?