Josh's Mission Call....

We could not be more proud of this boy.   He made the decision a very long time ago that he wanted to serve a full-time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  This is a two year commitment where these young boys and girls leave their homes, families, friends, and everything to know to serve the Lord.   It is entirely volunteer and also self-paid.  It is a hard thing for these young people not to see their families for two years and oh so hard on the mommies too....but they leave as boys and come back as men.  We are so excited for this opportunity for him and for the changes that will occur in his life as a result as well as the lives of those he teaches.

He submitted his papers and then we waited.....and waited....and waited.  For some reason, his call took a little longer than the norm and it was a little excruciating.  But it finally came and I texted him that it here.   He came home after school before heading to work for a little bit just so he could look at the envelope.   We had set up a little celebration for his friends and family to come over to watch him open it that evening.   I thought he might come home and just rip it open right then and there but he was surprisingly calm and left to go to work.  

The house was packed with friends and family by 8:00 and the energy level was high.  Everyone was excited and I was starting to have panic attacks.  Josh had joked for weeks that he knew he would probably get sent to either A) Africa or B) Idaho (his fears).  It's kind of a crazy feeling to know your child could be sent anywhere in the world for two years.  It was kind of surreal as he opened the letter.   

Anyway, he finally got the envelope opened and starting reading the call......when he got to the part where it said where he would be serving he said Preston, Idaho (which is a little tiny town about 30 mins north of us).   One girl started crying for him and others laughed....he then said just kidding and started reading again.  This definitely broke the tension that was mounting.   The next time he read the real place (although I wondered if he was joking again).......Arizona, Tucson Mission!!!!    Wow!  He definitely was not expecting Arizona since he spent 5 years of his life in Gilbert but he said as soon as he read it, he knew that was where he was supposed to go.  He had no doubts.  He also recalled later that as a little boy moving from Arizona, he had a strong feeling that he would be back to serve his mission there.   

He is very excited and we are so happy for him.  His cousin, Jake, just returned from serving his mission in Tucson last August!  That is so awesome and Josh cannot wait to talk with Jake about the people, the places, etc.   Maybe he will even have some contacts he can follow up.   It will be a great place for Josh.  He will feel like he's going home.    And I will be more at peace knowing he's so close......I just hope I can refrain from stalking the kid when we go to visit.  His mission does cover parts of New Mexico and goes all the way down to the Mexico border so that would make him much further away.....but Tucson is only 1-1/2 hours away from Gilbert.   Eeek!!!  I'll have to keep myself in check ;)

Love you Bud and so proud of the decisions you are making!

And of course he wouldn't be too disappointed if he happened to be able to golf while he's there ;)