Two Week Count Down

Two weeks from today Jardy will leave on his mission. His flight leaves from the SLC airport at 11:15 am. He will have to be there 3 hours early. He will arrive in Manchester England approx. 9 hours later, and I will not see him for approximately 2 years later. I am excited for him to start this new adventure, a chapter of his life that will help him grow in so many positive ways. But, I am selfish and nervous for myself for my life without him for that long. I will miss him so much and I know that both of us will change and that our relationship will never be what it is now again. I pray that the time will fly by, and that he will feel my love and support everyday and that he will do and be the best he can be. I pray that Heavenly Father will bless him with courage and patience and peace. That he will do the work that he is sent out to do and that he will be blessed with knowledge and protection and the power to do those things through his desire and obedience.

Right now there is so many things left to do. We had 4 1/2 months so you would think that we would be all ready. But being the true procrastinator that I am, and Jardy kind of dragging his feet at times there are still a lot of things left to get done. He did sell his truck yesterday, which I was relieved and yet sad at the same time. I hated to see him lose his truck, but glad he was able to get it sold to pay off his motorcycle loan and have some money in the bank. With all our medical bills from his accident in May and Bobs on July 3rd I have no idea at this point where any of the money is coming from to pay for anything. I just have to have faith that it will all work out some how.

Jacy and Saul went to the Ogden Temple yesterday and received their endowments. I finally made it back to the temple after 18 years. I was glad I was able to go and support Jacy and she is so lucky that she was able to find Saul and that they are now on their way to becoming an eternal family. They will be sealed August 4th in the Logan Temple after Jardy receives his endowment. What a big day and so special for all of us. Jentry will be sealed to Saul and Jacy and Jardy will be able to be there and witness this blessing. b I don't feel like I have been a great example of the gospel in my children's lives. I am so grateful that they have made good choices and have had good friends and leaders that have influenced and lead them on this path to the temple and to eternal salvation. My wish and prayer for them both is as always, that they will be happy and safe and be able to accomplish all the things in their lives that they desire.

Now a new stage of my life begins. Change is always a little bit scary the unknown a little bit unnerving, but I have a lot to focus on Bob getting healthy again and a new grandson that will be arriving in about 8 weeks. I will be excited to hear from Jardy and his progress and adventure in service to his church and to his heavenly father in a foreign country. So here we stand on the threshold of all these changes may God be with us and guide and direct us. May we do the things that will lead us all to live better lives. Be a closer family and continue progressing in the gospel and that we will have peace, health, and happiness to comfort us by doing so.

Extra Special Delivery

Not expecting Jardy's mission call to come until next Wednesday, I didn't even go out to get the mail when I saw it delivered about noon today (April 2nd). I went into town to pickup JJ from school and run some errands. We got back around 3:10 pm, I stopped at the mail box and there it was a big envelope from Church Headquarter addressed to Elder Jardyn King. I think I stopped breathing for a minute, my eyes got real big and I said out loud this is it, this is it, it came today. I unloaded the van, didn't even turn on the television just set on the couch for a few minutes trying to let it sink in. I was surprisingly calm and almost relieved. I called Jacy, Bob, and Bre told them it was here and made arrangements for them to all be home at 5 pm and not to tell Jardy. Jardy got home about 45 minutes later and it was all I could do to not tell him, but I wanted to wait until everyone was there. Jacy came first, then Bre, Bob got home with pizza and while I was cooking it, Jacy's husband Saul got here. Jacy said she told Saul that Jardy didn't know, but Saul forgot and said, "so let's get this show on the road, and see where you're getting deported to." I looked at Jardy and said, "your call came today it's out in the van, go get it." He went out and brought in all the mail, he set on the couch and opened it up and read. Dear Elder King: you are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the England London Mission. It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of 24 months. You should report to the England Missionary Training Center on Friday, August 14, 2009. Jardy had a big smile on his face and I knew everything would be alright. He said that's where Jud went. Jud his boss, his Young Men's advisor, and his mentor. He called him and told him first. He was so excited. Jud went to London South, and it just so happened that a lady that he baptized was hear in town visiting him for the first time and that they were going to dinner and he wanted to bring her by after. They came by and stayed for about two hours talking about England, we all asked lots of questions, everyone was so excited. How incredible that she was here today the day Jardy got his call to the very same area. What a good sign, the Lord knows and everything happens for a reason. She's here to go to General Conference. Jud and his family are also all leaving for vacation on Monday, if it hadn't come until next week, they wouldn't have been in town. Jardy made calls to family and friends sent text's and received some back. What a cool night. A good start for a journey that will change his life forever.

We were Fooled

I have to admit I made three trips to the mail box today. Very concerned about whether our mail would even be delivered. Yesterday after we didn't get any mail for about the third day in a row, I called the post office. When I gave them the address, they told me that there was a vacation hold for mail for Jardy King. I thought that it was strange that Jardy would put a hold on the mail, but maybe he just wanted to get his mission call letter himself. When I called him to ask him about it, he said he didn't know what I was talking about. I don't know who put the mail on hold or why, but it sure has had everyone wondering. When the mail was delivered there was several pieces bound together in an elastic and then lose letters that I assumed were for today. No letter from Church Headquarters. Jardy did get a flyer about the upcoming Wild West Motor X races. He also got a letter from Kay Jewelers Credit wanting him to add an authorized signer to his Kay account. Since he does not have a Kay Jewelers account, naturally I assume it's his dad, again. That now makes me wonder about the vacation hold also. I could tell Jardy was disappointed, even though he didn't say much. Now we have another week to worry and anticipate, again. He has so many people wanting to hear from him when he gets it, that I hope the pressure does not get to him. I also hope and pray that the powers to be are in tune to the spirit and that the message that the destination brings, is not lost in too high of expectations.

Anticipation - Fool or no Foolin'?

And so I begin, tomorrow will be the 2nd Wednesday since Jardy sent his papers in for his mission. New missionary calls usually come on a Wednesday one to three weeks after being submitted. So we are all anticipating it will be in the mail tomorrow. I'm nervous, I'm excited, and I'm scared, I know the call where ever it may be, will be the place that he is suppose to go. The place the lord wants him to be to find the person or people that he is meant to find that are waiting for him to teach them the gospel. I do believe that is true, and have the faith that it really happens that way. But as a mom and knowing my son as I do, I know where he is called will make a big difference to him. In all aspects of his forthcoming preparations and departure, his destination, in his gospel infancy, will matter more than it probably should. Although I love my son dearly, his priorities have not always been on the side of virtue and selflessness. In fact there are many that are still not only surprised but shocked that he has even chosen to go on a mission. I think most of us that know him best are still not letting ourselves believe it completely. Tomorrow it becomes one step closer to being a reality.