Tom Gets His Call
The adventure began this past Wednesday, July 6th when Tom finally received his mission call in the mail. We were sure it was going to come a week before and when it didn't, there was frustration all around! So, Dave and David left that morning for North Carolina and the delimma was should we wait for them to return.... or should Tom go ahead and open the letter?! It was an agonizing decision, but in the end, Dave told Tom he couldn't make him wait anymore and told him to go ahead and open it. I put together a quick, impomptu party and we called and sent texts out to everyone who we thought might want to share the moment with Tom. Joan and Jeff Watkins were the first to arrive, our dearest friends who have supported us every step of the way. 
We also had Steve and Josh Brower, Grandma Marta, Andy Nielsen, Landon Lambert, Andrew Feller and Bishop Bert Wonnacott. Everyone made their guess as to where they thought he would go and we put it on a big map of the world. Jeff, Tricia and Clark all guessed Brazil! We got Dave and David on speaker phone and had Tom open the call. He read the letter out loud and when he got to the part about being called to the Brazil, Belem Mission, everyone let out a big cheer and Tom had a huge smile on his face! I was greatly relieved that he was happy and was getting to go on a foreign mission. He'll learn Portuguese and will report to the Brazil MTC on December 14th.... quite a ways out. We have lots to do, though, so it's not all bad. He is already signed up for a 
Portuguese class at SLCC, to hopefully give him a little jump start on learning the language. We are starting to learn all we can about Brazil and the area he will serve in. It is hot (about 100 miles south of the Equator) humid, rains a lot and is pretty much a jungle. Belem is a large port city of over 2 million people. It is going to be a big change for Tom, but we know he will do fine. Everyone I got to tell at work was very excited for him, but all wanted to know how I felt about it. Because I am not 
LDS, I think people wonder how I can support this for my son. It's like anything else your child has an interest in or wants to try. As a parent, you support them no matter what and you do it with joy in your heart because being a mother or father is not about us! Whatever makes my children happy, makes me happy, too!
The adventure began this past Wednesday, July 6th when Tom finally received his mission call in the mail. We were sure it was going to come a week before and when it didn't, there was frustration all around! So, Dave and David left that morning for North Carolina and the delimma was should we wait for them to return.... or should Tom go ahead and open the letter?! It was an agonizing decision, but in the end, Dave told Tom he couldn't make him wait anymore and told him to go ahead and open it. I put together a quick, impomptu party and we called and sent texts out to everyone who we thought might want to share the moment with Tom. Joan and Jeff Watkins were the first to arrive, our dearest friends who have supported us every step of the way. 
We also had Steve and Josh Brower, Grandma Marta, Andy Nielsen, Landon Lambert, Andrew Feller and Bishop Bert Wonnacott. Everyone made their guess as to where they thought he would go and we put it on a big map of the world. Jeff, Tricia and Clark all guessed Brazil! We got Dave and David on speaker phone and had Tom open the call. He read the letter out loud and when he got to the part about being called to the Brazil, Belem Mission, everyone let out a big cheer and Tom had a huge smile on his face! I was greatly relieved that he was happy and was getting to go on a foreign mission. He'll learn Portuguese and will report to the Brazil MTC on December 14th.... quite a ways out. We have lots to do, though, so it's not all bad. He is already signed up for a 
Portuguese class at SLCC, to hopefully give him a little jump start on learning the language. We are starting to learn all we can about Brazil and the area he will serve in. It is hot (about 100 miles south of the Equator) humid, rains a lot and is pretty much a jungle. Belem is a large port city of over 2 million people. It is going to be a big change for Tom, but we know he will do fine. Everyone I got to tell at work was very excited for him, but all wanted to know how I felt about it. Because I am not 
LDS, I think people wonder how I can support this for my son. It's like anything else your child has an interest in or wants to try. As a parent, you support them no matter what and you do it with joy in your heart because being a mother or father is not about us! Whatever makes my children happy, makes me happy, too!
I just about started to cry...Kirk and I were just talking and he asked me how you were taking Tom leaving. I told Kirk, almost word for word, what you wrote about supporting your children in anything that makes them happy. We are so much a like and you can tell we were raised with good values no matter what religion we are. I have been thinking a lot about the children when they were little and how much they have grown and are now making their mark on the world. Thanks for doing this blog in a small way it makes me feel like I am a part of whats going on so far away from where I am. I love and miss you all everyday. Lisa
ReplyDeleteYou almost made me cry, too! I know that we owe our parents a lot of credit for the type of parents we have become. I am thankful that we had supportive and understanding parents while growing up - so many people aren't that lucky! It is really exciting to see what kind of adults our children are becoming, exciting and rewarding! I am glad that you can follow this blog and feel a part of all of it. It kills me that you are all so far away, but something like this will help. I will post all of his emails and letters and hopefully pictures. I really need to work on him to get him used to the idea of letting us know what is going on and taking pictures. Love and miss you all more than you could know!
ReplyDeleteWe are so glad that we were there to share in this exciting time of your families lives. Welcome to the blogging world! The adventure is just beginning.
ReplyDeleteYay!! Can't wait to hear all of his stories!
ReplyDeleteWe are so excited for Tom! Ian served in Brazil & went back right before David was born.
Maybe we should all go have a family night at Braza Grill & enjoy some yummy food & Ian can share some stories!
It is getting so close....too fast. I have been trying to think of someway go come home before he has to leave, but if I don't tell him how much we love him and how proud we are of him. We think of all of you everyday and I am always happy to tell everyone I meet at the Post Office (mostly missionaries) were Tom is going and how excited we are for him. I love to talk to the missionaries that come in (did you know they are not allowed to FISH?) They all seem to really enjoy Montana and the beautiful state. I always get someone that is a pilot and love to brag about Emilee, and get to tell everyone how my nephew is such a great baseball player and Homecoming King!!! Well, I am pretty sure I will run of room on here. Love and miss you all. Lisa
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