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| All ready to go |
It's hard to believe that I am posting this exactly a month after Jadon left. Some days I can't believe it's already been a month but most days it feels like he's been gone much longer. The morning he left for the MTC was a pretty laid back morning. He had to be at the MTC at 12:30. I woke him up at 8:00 a.m. but he had a really hard time waking up and didn't get out of bed until 8:30 or so. He came up on the couch and fell back to sleep while I made breakfast. We talked about going out to breakfast on the way to the MTC but I decided that I didn't want to feel rushed. We had chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast. After breakfast, Jadon fell back asleep on the couch. I guess the last couple nights, where he didn't sleep much, were catching up to him. While we were all getting ready to leave, Dale went and made a small copy of Jadon's patriarchal blessing so that he could keep it in his scriptures. We left for the MTC around 11:00 am.
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| Elder Byers |
Everyone told us to say our goodbyes at the provo temple, across the street from the MTC. We got there around 11:45 and just sat in the shade and talked for a little while. Jadon was still really tired and was frustrated that he was feeling that way.
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| Last family picture for two years |
We walked around for a little while and took some pictures and then Jadon decided we better head over there.
I told Jadon that I got to get out of the van at the MTC so I wasn't saying goodbye until we got over there.
He gave each of his sibs a hug but that is too many pictures to post so I just did the big group hug one...
and, of coarse, Katie because he loves her so much. He loves his other siblings too but Jadon and Katie have a special relationship that, unfortunately, will change over the next two years as she grows up
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| Jadon looks so much like Dale in this picture |
My favorite quote that goes with this picture- Missionary: someone who leaves their family for a short time so that others may be with their families for eternity
When we got to the MTC, all of the kids stayed in the van while Dale and I got out to help him with his luggage and say goodbye. When he hugged me, he finally lost it and started crying. Having my 18 year old son, who never cries, cry like that was hard to take. He hugged his Dad and then the missionary escort took him off to processing.
I told him beforehand that I wanted him to look back when he left. I'm so glad he did because I love this picture. I love that he gets such an amazing opportunity to share the gospel
Right before he left, he handed me a stack of envelopes. He had written everyone in our family letters one night when he couldn't sleep. When I got back in the van, after saying goodbye, it was silent. I decided that it would be a good time to have everyone read their letters. I didn't read mine because I hate to cry in front of people. Kyson was sitting behind Dale so I could see him out of the corner of my eye, reading his letter. He kept looking out the window and I could tell he was trying not to cry. When he couldn't hold back anymore and started to cry, he was looking out the window and I could see his shoulders shaking. I climbed back there and gave him a hug. That's when he lost it. He started sobbing. It was so sad. I looked to the back of the van and Katie was sad and Kierra was sobbing too. I made the rounds of the van and hugged everyone. The rest of the ride home we all just sat in silence. Our original plan was to stop at the DMV on the way home so Kierra could get her license. I asked her if she still wanted to do that (because her face was all red and puffy) and she said yes so that's what we did. Several people told me that the hardest part of sending a missionary off was when they got set apart and that the goodbye at the MTC wasn't that bad. They all lied!!! It was so hard to let my boy go. He's been my shadow for the last 18 years and I had no idea what I was going to do without him. I couldn't stand the thought that I didn't know what he was doing or where he was every minute of the day. The next 4 days were very hard. Luckily, I was able to go to youth conference the next day so I had that distraction. But he was constantly on my mind. I had so much running through my head. What was his companion like? Was he sleeping? What was he doing all day? When we got his first letter on Sunday afternoon (it was in the mailbox on Saturday but the mail came really late so it wasn't there when we checked it) a huge relief came over me. Even though the letter was short, I could tell that he was happy and was doing well. The whole family sat around and read it together. Each day that goes by is easier and getting his letters is AWESOME! His stories are so funny. Every Monday night we read his letter out loud at the dinner table. I miss Jadon every day but I am so grateful for his willingness to serve and I know that his mission will change his life! I love having a missionary!
