A Missionary Christmas Poem

A Missionary Christmas

I skipped the sales after Thanksgiving, The thrill just wasn’t there.

No pictures taken with Santa Claus, My decorating has no flair

His presents are shoes, shirts, and ties, two suits and socks....no fun.

I’ve bought him all white clothes because… This year I’m giving Christ my son

I’ve spent more time in the temple, my testimony stirred.

I’ve reread November’s Ensign, Felt strength come His words.

Our family prays more frequently, My tears are quick to run.

Abraham seems closer because, this year I’m giving Christ my son.

I wonder how those lamanite mothers, gave their sons to war?

Or how the pioneers chose Zion, their sacrifice was so much more.

My loss will be his presence, I’ll miss his smile a ton.

For two years we will pray for him, I’m giving Christ my son

I stare at his face when he’s not looking. I memorize his eyes, their shine.

He’s always hungered for the part of him that makes his soul divine.

The stories and lessons he always heard, His choice and mine are one.

I’ll put my faith in God’s hands, this year; I’m giving Him my son.

Past gifts have lost their glitter, I think I finally understand.

Christ’s birth should be celebrated by giving Him a hand.

It’s because I know Christ lives and reigns; that all his packing’s done.

My gift has taken years to make, the year…I’m giving Christ my son.

I know there’s One who understands, the sacrifice I’m making.

Who knows the gift I willingly give, the toll it will be taking.

For He has done it all before, Greater love there could be none.

For years ago God gave to me, His only begotten son.

The hands I washed, the hands I held, the hands I taught to pray.

Now knock on doors to find the ones who will listen to what he’ll say.

Because I know Christ needs him, until all the gathering’s done.

My gift has taken years to make. This year….I’m giving Christ my son.

2010

Christmas Day!

So Jed had sent a package about a week ago and told me I couldn't open it until Christmas morning....that was torture.  Suzie had to keep me honest but the duct tape helped too.  haha!
Anyway, Christmas eve came and I was so excited to talk with Jed on Christmas day that sleep did not come easy...in fact, I don't think I slept at all.  I just kept thinking about what I wanted to ask him.  CRAZY!  Oh well....it's a Mom thing.

At about 7:30, I heard a strange noise coming from the other room.  It sounded like a remote control car or something.  Well you see Jake decided that he would use his spy car to check out the goods.  He left the car upstairs and then used the remote from downstairs to maneuver the car to see the presents.  Well since he kept running into things....like walls- I heard him.  I have to give him points though- that was pretty clever.  At least he still plays with one previous Christmas toy! 
After we read the letter from Santa it was time to open the gifts.

The package from Jed was the first to be opened and the flood gates were opened!  Tears of joy and happiness as I read the inside of the front cover from a Bible that was to be given to Cameron.  He had marked all of his favorite stories from the Bible and told Cameron that he loved him.  He had written on a picture of Christ for Cooper.  "He lives".  A sketch book of pictures he had drawn of the stories of the scriptures was also Coopers.  Jed had also written a story for Ashley and enclosed some picture manuals and a dvd. He also had a copy of a picture taken by another missionary of a Baptist billboard that said:  "Don't pray about the Book of Mormon....That's how they get you".   On the back he wrote:  Can you believe that?


 He sent 4 bottles of a drink called "Cheerwine".  Excellent sparking cherry coke flavored drink.  I guess the Carolina's are famous for it.  Hopefully he will send more soon.
Then he sent Curt a special gift....a cool hat that when we talked with him said "it will keep your big head warm"!  Man I miss Jed and his humor! 

Don't you love the duct tape!!!!

Here is a picture of Curt and his cool hat!!!!

Jed finally called home at 2:30.  Wow what an amazing thing to hear his voice!  He sounded so good and happy!  To hear him laugh and for him to make us all laugh was awesome!  He said, "Oh Mom I didn't have a chance to tell you what I wanted for Christmas this year but I will tell you now so that maybe you can get it for me for my birthday or next Christmas....I want a Tom Tom GPS with the voice of  Mr. T on it."  Bahahahah!!!!   Ok now I really miss Jed!  I sent him a couple of sweaters and a sweater vest that he was happy about and the only other item requested was a pair of warmer gloves.  Now that one I can handle!  We continued to talk for about 40 minutes which was the time limit set so our goodbyes were said and all the "I love you's" too and it was over.  The peace that I felt knowing he was happy and well was exactly what I needed.  The thought of not talking with him again until Mother's Day....well that is another thing. 

Tender Mercies

12-26-10
 So today at Church the theme was "Christ's tender mercies".  The first speaker was a return missionary from Tuscon Arizona.  He had been home about 7 months.  He spoke of his mission and the experiences he had while serving, and so of course, I began thinking about Jed.  He talked of Christ's tender mercies and how he was led to people, how he gained his own personal testimony and how the conversion of people touched his heart.  The theme carried on through Relief Society and the story of a sick boy was told from a talk that President Monson gave during last springs conference session- titled "He is Risen".  I have to share!

Two weeks ago I received a touching letter from a father of seven who wrote about his family and, in particular, his son Jason, who had become ill when 11 years of age. Over the next few years, Jason’s illness recurred several times. This father told of Jason’s positive attitude and sunny disposition, despite his health challenges. Jason received the Aaronic Priesthood at age 12 and “always willingly magnified his responsibilities with excellence, whether he felt well or not.” He received his Eagle Scout Award when he was 14 years old.
Last summer, not long after Jason’s 15th birthday, he was once again admitted to the hospital. On one of his visits to see Jason, his father found him with his eyes closed. Not knowing whether Jason was asleep or awake, he began talking softly to him. “Jason,” he said, “I know you have been through a lot in your short life and that your current condition is difficult. Even though you have a giant battle ahead, I don’t ever want you to lose your faith in Jesus Christ.” He said he was startled as Jason immediately opened his eyes and said, “Never!” in a clear, resolute voice. Jason then closed his eyes and said no more.
His father wrote: “In this simple declaration, Jason expressed one of the most powerful, pure testimonies of Jesus Christ that I have ever heard. … As his declaration of ‘Never!’ became imprinted on my soul that day, my heart filled with joy that my Heavenly Father had blessed me to be the father of such a tremendous and noble boy. … [It] was the last time I heard him declare his testimony of Christ.”
Although his family was expecting this to be just another routine hospitalization, Jason passed away less than two weeks later. An older brother and sister were serving missions at the time. Another brother, Kyle, had just received his mission call. In fact, the call had come earlier than expected, and on August 5, just a week before Jason’s passing, the family gathered in his hospital room so that Kyle’s mission call could be opened there and shared with the entire family.
In his letter to me, this father included a photograph of Jason in his hospital bed, with his big brother Kyle standing beside the bed, holding his mission call. This caption was written beneath the photograph: “Called to serve their missions together—on both sides of the veil.”

During the lesson in Relief Society, we were asked if anyone had anything to share.  Well I don't share very often but when Jed was getting his papers handled for his mission and it seemed like we were hitting one wall after another and we had been told that Jed could not serve a mission if he was taking a certain type of medicine...Jed said something remarkable that I have pondered about so many times.  He said, "I am afraid they won't let me go on a mission".  So instead of being afraid of going like I'm sure I would be...he was more afraid of not being able to serve.  This was Jed's testimony of Christ.  Just like the dying boy said "Never"....Jed was more afraid of not serving.  The amazing thing is that Jed has had so many trials of anxiety and depression that if anyone should be afraid of leaving his home for 2 years, I would think it would be Jed.  

Thank you Jed for being my teacher.  For being an example of Christ.  For serving with a full willingness of heart and spirit.  Thank you for conquering your fears and placing your trust in the Lord.  And above all else....Thank you for being my son.  I will forever be eternally grateful to my Heavenly Father for trusting me enough to be your Mother. 

Missionary Fun!

Ok so I signed up to feed our area full time missionaries.  And wow what fun we had!  Elder Gundlach and Elder Sullen.  Elder Sullen is from Norway and was in the MTC the same time Jed was but never got to know Jed.  And  Elder Gundlach is from Michigan.  He has been out just over a year and is a seasoned missionary.  In fact,  Jed went on splits with Elder Gundlach before he left.  The two of them are Star Wars fans.
I made a feast for them...of course.  And I think they think I am a little crazy.  Nooooo!  I kept talking about Jed not writing home etc.  and I think I scared them a couple of times.  haha!
Curt and Jake were talking about how they went hunting for bunny's and coyotes with an AR15 gun and I thought that's it!  Elder Gundlach was laughing so hard...we may even make it in his homecoming talk when he talks about the crazy people in Utah! 
So I thought Curt and Jake were going to flip when I started asking them how they were doing with their laundry.  haha!  I was telling them about palmolive dish soap and how it can get stains out...even gave them a trial size to take home!  bahahaha!  Then I asked them if they needed anything dry cleaned.  Elder Gundlach was shocked.  Needless to say... I took his suit in to be cleaned.   I am over joyed that I was able to help!  I kept telling him that he has brought me so much joy by letting me do this for him. 
Jake had made a magic number wheel at school and felt it appropriate to share with the missionaries.  It was a serious hit!  Elder Sullen thought Jake was amazing and Elder Gundlach was trying to figure out the mathematical equation to the game.  Funny!  Here are a couple of pics of the fun! 

Jake teaching the missionaries!!!

Jake is the Man!!!

Hello is anyone out there???

The letter's and emails have nearly come to a halt.  My anxiety has risen and I keep telling myself this is my test of patience.  Well we all know that patience isn't one of the Wallis' strong points and I think the Lord knows this.  It is very difficult to not get angry that he isn't spending time writing or emailing us.  Ashley has somewhat given up and Jake just feels bad.  Curt gets pretty frustrated too.  And the worry is consuming. 
I keep telling myself that he is losing himself in his work and this is what he is supposed to be doing.  Maybe it is hard on him to write home.  Maybe he doesn't even miss us.
At times, I feel selfish to think that he should be spending more time writing us.  That we should be a priority.  When we have been telling him to just work hard, stay focused and lose himself in service. 
This is a big battle for me right now.  It is Christmas Eve and he will be calling us tomorrow.  The joy I feel is overwhelming.  I can't wait to hear his voice!  I have started writing down some questions so I don't forget to ask him everything that I have been worrying about.  I know this is kind of over the top...but when you never get letters this may be my only chance! haha
Yesterday, I was thinking about Jed.  I was remembering how much I loved giving him hugs.  I was remembering our last hug... how he squeezed me tight.  I miss his strong shoulders.  His kind heart.  His goofiness.  But most of all I just miss him always being here with me. 
When Jed was a little boy, I would say "why don't you go outside and play with your friends".  His response the majority of the time was "No Mom I just want to stay here with you".  Oh I miss that little boy and the amazing young man he has grown up to be.  When he gets home, he will be different I know.  In an amazingly good way.  But right now it is still hard.  I am going to work this battle hard... trusting that my Heavenly Father will watch over and protect him and that I may be blessed with patience. 

Funny Emails!

Along with written letters we will usually get a short email from Jed.   Curt, I, Ash and Jake went to Park City for the week, just to relax and have some fun.  It was a much needed recuperation from the emotional stuff we had all been going through.  Ok that I had been going through and everybody else had to deal with.  haha   

Jed had told us that his first companion, Elder Jorgensen, had told him he reminded him of Elder Calhoon from the movie "The Best Two Years".  Well this bugged Jed and so we thought we better watch this movie while we were chilling in Park City.  Here are the emails and responses from Jed.  

Dec. 5, 2010

Hey this is Dad... We are all going to write you on this one email... We have been up in Park City for the past 4 days. Mom and I came up on Wed and went back and got Ash and Jake Friday after they got out of school... We have just been hanging around shopping and just goofing off for a couple of days. It has been nice to just relax and not have anything to rush around to... We just went and walked old main street and had lunch.. Jake and I are going swimming here at the hotel...

It was great to hear from you and about your two companions.. Its a little different having two companions instead of one but it works. In your letters we would love to hear about the people who you were teaching so if you feel like sharing we would love to hear from you about them...

Love ya bud... Take care

Dad

 

Dad,
say it.. I'm like elder Calhoon from the best 2 years movie aren't I?
hope you had fun in Park city.
One family I'm teaching today is awesome.. especially the mom.. she is so funny!!
another is a hunter.. and i mean a big time hunter!!
That is all the people we're teaching for now.
I'm sending a letter to ya'll telling about 2 people we lost.. one's name is Alan and the other is Tera.  And it has the first story I have to tell about one weird guy..the letter will explain it.

 

Hey Jed it's Jake thanks for the present i havent read one yet because were on vacation in park city but when i get home i will.We watched the best two years it was funny and knight and day that was funny to hope your having fun.

     Jake

Jake,
Glad you like the present bro.. Read it!!
I'm having a hard time thinking of a topic for you so you can write me another story.. oh well, maybe like a werewolf or something.. Oh yeah, A werewolf sounds awesome.. if you can handle it.

Love ya both

-Elder Aldous

Jed!

Sorry to write another one. It is really hard to work this weird laptop. We accidentally sent the other message before me and mom wrote you. Oops. haha

How is everything going?? I miss you brother! We watched The Best Two Years today and it was great! Made me think of you and how all your companions will be different and very fun! haha Have you eaten a head of a fish yet?? haha tell me if you do! That'd be really disgusting if you actually did that! But hey! I gotta ask you about this one thing... So you know how you said that you told all your missionary pals no to writing me??? haha what the heck? jk! I love you! you are so protective sometimes and i love it! haha but you have to promise me something... If you ever meet a really cool guy that you think is great then yes i will write him! :) Okay?? Cuz I gotta say, I can't just date my best friends back here in Farr West.. That gets kind of boring.. haha well I hope all is well! Have fun and meet some new fun families! Enjoy life! Miss you tons!

Love,

SIs

Ash,
Tell me the truth.. am I like elder Calhoon in the best 2 years movie?
No I haven't eaten the head of a fish.. I mean why would I do that.. is that a rumor?
Ok.. if there is someone i like that i think that would be ok of writing you.. i will do it.  Your right, you can't date just your best friends all the time.
I will try to send you something for Christmas ok?

 

Hey Buddy! 

So it will be your p day tomorrow and I wanted to just say hi and that I love you!  I miss you but you already know that!  haha!  Any way so the last email you sent me you just kept telling me to stop worrying.  Well guess what I am your mother and I have every right to worry.  Thats my job!  But what I want you to know is that I trust that you are doing just fine and learning and teaching!  When I ask you a question about stuff...it isn't that I am freaking out and worrying it is just that I want to make sure that if you need anything you can ask me for it.  Just like you asked for the Gregory's and sis treadways address's.  I will get that for you shortly.  So the weather has been cold and I will be sending a few items for your christmas that may help with that.  Also if you need boots just go get some.  I am not worrying when I say that...just want you to know.  How are you doing with your medication?  I will be sending your Adderall this week.  Keep me posted on anything else you may need soon.  Did you get the package lastweek with your pants and goodies?  Hopefully the sprite made it ok.  and didn't explode!  haha! 

Well we love you and think of you often.  We say prayers and bless for your safety and success!  Thanks for sending Jake the book of mormon.  Don't forget about Ashley she would love a little something from her bro too!!!  Let me know if you need more money for stuff!  Not that I am worrying!  haha!

Love you soooooooo much!

Love your Mommy

Mom,
YOU WORRY TOO MUCH!!!
yes i will keep you posted in m meds.. I'm up to 2 weeks left on adderal.. so thanks for reminding me.
get the Gregory's and sister Tredway's addresses to me as soon as you can.. and i mean the letter writing address.. not email address..well, might as well give me both.
yes i got the package..thank you.
patience on the pictures alright?  hardly been taking any..Why.. because there is hardly anything to do down here!!
I will try to find something for you for Christmas as well.

Love ya both

-elder Aldous

Sorry if this post is a little confusing... I just thought it was funny how he was so concerned about being like Elder Calhoon.  We all wrote him back telling him he is not nearly as nerdy as Elder Calhoon but just as determined.  No worries Jed...You are just a go getter!  And that is what will make you successful!  

Jed's First Letter from North Carolina

So Thanksgiving was a little nerve racking for me wondering if he was going to be fed or not.  Well I knew he probably would but....I am just a born worrier.  Anyway his first letter was good and we were all happy to hear he was alive and well.  We even got on google earth to see what kind of house he was living in.  It appears he is out in the hicks.  haha.

So the part to Ashley about the other missionaries wanting to write her and her protective big brother telling them no had us all laughing for a few days.  Of course Jed would say that...but Ash is definitely bugged.  ha ha!

The Day he flew to North Carolina!

November 22, 2010

The day began VERY early for Jed.  He and 12 other missionaries were to leave the MTC by 4 am.  They traveled to the Salt Lake City airport for an early 6 am flight to Texas and then on to North Carolina.  He was going to be calling us from the airport before he boarded and so sleep didn't come easy for his parents that night!  The phone rang at a couple minutes past 5am and we were all awake and alert very quickly.  It was awesome to hear his voice.  He sounded so happy and excited!  I was relieved that he made it through security ok and his luggage was not over the 50 lb. limit!  Ok ok I know more worrying.  Can't help it!!!  Ashley and Jake were able to talk with him too and there were many "I love you's" spoken.  Our hearts were full!  I asked Jed to call me on my cell phone if he was able to when he landed in Texas and so the anticipation was great again.  I was able to pull up his flight on a website and watched it as it traveled across the united states.  He called me again about 11am and I was able to spend about 3 minutes talking with him.  He sounded a little tired and said he slept the whole flight.  He was to begin boarding again so his time was limited.  I will never forget hearing his sweet voice say "I love you Mom" and "I miss you too".  My heart was happy and breaking at the same time.  The joy and pride I felt was indescribable.  He is still my little Jed,  my little buddy.  And now he is flying off to the other side of the country and I won't be able to see him for 2 years.  This is a terribly hard concept to wrap your head around.  And it is very slow to sink in since your heart can only handle the thought of it a little at a time.  Not sure if that makes any sense... but let's just say it is hard!

Looks like he is enjoying the plane ride!!!

A couple days later we received an email and pictures from the Mission President. 

North Carolina Charlotte Mission

6407 Idlewild Road #104

Charlotte, NC 28212

November 24, 2010

Dear loved ones of Elder Aldous

We are pleased to inform you that your son arrived in Charlotte and to the mission home safely and in good spirits. He was a little tired from arising so early and a long flight. Sister Thomas fed him a nice warm meal which included Banana pudding dessert, a southern favorite. I had the privilege of interviewing him. He is full of potential!! Our assistants did a little training and our office Senior Missionaries were able to join us for dinner and an introduction to the new missionaries. We are so glad that he was assigned to this mission. He slept with his group overnight in the mission home.

He has been assigned a “trusted” missionary to oversee his introduction and training into a proselyting area. Hopefully, when he arrived at his new apartment, they opened the door just far enough to push his luggage inside, and then went out to work! He will make a difference here as he puts his feet on the ground and yields his heart and will to the Lord and his sacred call.

Boy, will he love it here! The landscape is so beautiful and the people of North Carolina are wonderful. Southern Hospitality is alive and well. Members and leaders of the branches, wards and stakes love the missionaries and we are working hard as a mission to assist them.

We recognize that the first 3 months of his mission will be personally demanding and rewarding as he makes many adjustments. We will do all we can to help him get his feet, shoulders, and heart established here. We are extremely loyal as a mission which means he has many strong and loyal friends already. Supportive letters absent the affairs of home will help him cultivate a strong start.

We are laboring with our might, completely dependent on the merits and mercy of Jesus Christ, in a unified effort with the Stakes of Zion here; to help gather Israel and establish both Zion and a Zion people. Additionally, we will do all we can to help your son grow, change, and progress into a bold, humble, and charitable missionary who is “fit for the Master’s use.” We love our missionaries! We will love, watch over and care for him, as if he were our own.

Thank you for helping him prepare. Thank you for the sacrifices you have made on his behalf.

Faithfully yours,

Lindsay A. Thomas, President

North Carolina Charlotte Mission

lthomas@ldschurch.org

Jed's 2 Weeks at the MTC

Ok so I have been pondering this post for way too long.  Jed has been out for over a month and so that means I am a month behind on posts.  I thought at this point, it may be best if I do an overall post instead of weekly or daily posts.  (Not that Jed sent that much information....right?)
So I as a Mother wrote almost daily using DearElder.com.  It was the greatest because I could type the letter or choose a package and then they would take it to him that day.  I think it was a kind of therapy for me.  =)
It kind of helped me just touch base with my boy in some way.  Even though the thank you's were few and far between I know that he loved the things we sent him.  Especially the big candy package!
So here is another one of Jed's letters.  Don't you love the "Hey ya'lls and the Ma and Pa's!"  Funny stuff!  Curt asked him if he had a redneck class or something.

His companion, Elder Jorgensen was from Sierra Vista Arizona.  Jed called him "Tall Boy".  They had a good time together.  Here are a few pics of Jed and Elder Jorgensen and their district.

Missionaries everywhere at the Temple!

                                             

So I asked Jed to send as many pictures as possible... and he did a pretty good job.  I especially loved the ones of the laundry room.  I think he knew I was worried about the laundry situation...ok I spoiled him at home!

While waiting for the laundry it looks like he may be writing a letter to his Mommy!  yippeee!

And then his MTC album wouldn't be complete without some pictures of his room etc!

Some of my favorites are the silly ones that he took in class and outside of class too!

THE MATRIX!

Ninja!!!

Performing a little "Lion King" for the companion!

So the pictures were awesome.  And I totally over analyzed them...over and over again!  "Doesn't he look exhausted in this picture", "he still isn't buttoning the top buttons on his white shirts" and other insane things that only a Mother would notice.  Uhg... I need another pill!

The few letter's we received from Jed were awesome and uplifting.  HIs companion Elder Jorgensen wrote us a letter that was fun and informative about Jed.  Fun Fun Fun!!!

Jed's First Letter Home....Finally!

Ok so I was hoping to hear from Jed at least by friday or Saturday- but NOOOOOOO!  Jed is his own person and we may be lucky to hear from him at all.  See he has this overly obsessive, controlling Mother and I think he is happy to be leaving the house.  Whaaaa!  Yes I am having a pity party already!  By the time his first letter shows up, I have sent him at least 3 letters and I know that Curt, Ashley and Jake have sent some to- get the picture. By the time Monday came I was just hoping to hear if he was alive or dead.  Well here is a copy of his first letter home and he is alive and well.   RELIEF!!!!

After the MTC drop off.....

So we had heard that the drive home was pretty terrible after you leave your child on the curb.  So I had an idea to search for a BYU blanket that we could send to Jed.  (oh a blanket for my baby...right!  YAH!!!!)  I was worrying already- definitely was going to be one of my downfalls as a missionary Mom.  We stopped at the mall, at walmart and at several other stores with no luck.  Frustrating since we were in freakin Provo!  Anyway we gave up on that task and drove to Colonial Flag in SLC.  A friend had told me to stop and buy a North Carolina Flag to fly while he is gone.  So this is what we did....in a zombie, exhausted, drained kind of way. haha!  Not sure of all that I ordered but I was not gonna say "no" to anything that had to do with North Carolina.  I bought pins, flags, key chains etc.  You get the picture. =) 
Here is a picture of the flag on our front porch.... maybe when it warms up we will hang it on a flag pole.

 

We made it through a difficult, emotional day with swollen eyes and headaches but we're all so proud of Jed.  Before I went to bed, I got on DearElder.com and ordered a care package for Jed and wrote him a letter.  I know is that weird, obsessive, compulsive or what?  Well I don't care that is what I am supposed to do!  I am his Mother!!!!  But now the waiting for Jed's first letter had begun and I think I am gonna be sick.

The Adventure begins at the MTC!

So I have been kind of dreading this post just cuz it is bound to make me cry!  See Jed looked at this day as the first day of his big adventure and I looked at it as Dooms day! The interesting thing was that after the setting apart, it didn't seem like dooms day anymore.  The peace was so overwhelming to me as a Mother that I slept like a baby! 
We left with bags packed at 9 am!  This is what Jed saw as he left Farr West!  Way to go Ashley and Chalese!

The drive down was full of excitement and we met Mike and Melinda at Chili's for a little lunch before we dropped Jed off. 
The food was good but what was even better was watching Jed drink 5 or was it 6 cokes!!!  hahaha!

 

As 12:45 was creeping up on us, Jed's nerves began to kick in.  And he was anxious to get going.  Look at the license plate to a van that was parked at Chili's!  It was a sign!

At this point, I was a shaking mess- but this isn't about me!!! We parked across the street so we could take a few pictures... and what an amazing experience we had.  As we got out of the car, it was like everything was in slow motion.  There were missionaries everywhere we looked.  Some on their way to the Temple, others running to the field to play sports- it truely was an amazing site.  As I watched Jed take in this picture... he sighed, smiled and it was as if he recognized this place before.  As if he had come home.  I will never forget the peace and comfort that I felt.  It felt like time had stopped...there was no noise...it was just peace. Heavenly Father was not only comforting Jed in this time of change but the rest of us as well.  I am so grateful for this peace.  It is what I will continue to hold on to each day while he is gone.
We then snapped a few pictures of our good byes.  It was bittersweet!

It was difficult to watch the hugs!  Each for a different reason! But all because we would miss our Jed!
See right after everyone left from the setting apart both Jake and Ashley lost it.  It was the breaking point for them both.  Jake sat on my lap and cried.  He didn't think he would be able to say goodbye to Jed.  He talked with me about how Jed has always been good to him.  How he never said mean things to him.  How he just didn't think he could make it without Jed.  It took a good hour to get him to relax enough to go to bed.  What a tenderhearted little brother that will deeply miss his big bro!  About 15 minutes after I got Jake tucked into bed...here comes Ashley.  She simply crawled into bed with me and sobbed.  "Jed is always here when I get home from school", "he always asks how my day was".  "Now what am I gonna do she cried!"  And I simply held her and cried with her.

With Heavenly Father's help and comfort we made it to the MTC, and we simply pulled up to the curb where there were hundreds of missionaries lined up on the sidewalk and dropped him off.  There were a a couple of quick hugs from Dad and Mom and then he simply walked away with another missionary wheeling his luggage.  As we drove away,  the tears flowed and I had a difficult time wrapping my head around what had just happened.  It wasn't really real....right?  This was all just a dream...right?  He will be home in a week...right?  Oh man this was gonna be a test for me.  As we pulled away, I was so struck by all of the missionaries at the curb.  They were cheering and waving.  All happy and excited to meet the new missionaries who would be joining them.  It was truly like an Army of Missionaries... going out to battle- to teach the gospel.  To fight for what is right in this world. To share what they love.  Truly AMAZING!!!
My testimony of missionary work was just strengthened a hundred fold!  I look at it as such a blessing for Jed and for our family!  I am so grateful that the Church has such an amazing program for spreading the gospel!  And I will be eternally grateful for the opportunity that Jed has to search out and find people who want to know the truth.

Being set apart as a Missionary!

November 2, 2010

The day started out for Jed at about 9 am.  He and Curt drove to the Salt Lake Temple for Jed's first live session.  Curt said Jed loved it.  While they were gone I went shopping with Grandma and Suzie for a few last minute items.  I was really needing to stay busy....as busy as possible. 
The setting apart was to be at 6pm at the Stake Center.  Pres. John Watson was going to set him apart.  Jed was excited and nervous!  As were his parents!  It was an awesome blessing with so much comfort and peace.  The overwhelming feeling of this being the right choice for Jed and he was going to have a successful mission. 

 What a great example you are Jed to your little brother!

 Jared, Suzie (the crazy aunt), Cameron and Cooper!!! We love you guys! 

 Bishop Nelson Bowen.  What a great man and friend to Jed.  Thank you, Bishop!!!

 Now she will miss Jed more than he knows!!!

 Uncle Bob!  Who loves to call Jed....Ted!

 The Gang is all Here!!!

 Grandpa and Grandma Wallis

 Grandpa and Grandma Aldous

After all of the pictures were taken it was off to home for some rootbeer floats and goodbyes. Jed was officially a missionary!  What an amazing experience for us all!!!

Jed has always loved hanging out with the cousins and rough housing with them.  They will miss Jed and Jed will for sure miss them!

 Josh, Sara and Rachel!

 Josh, Cooper, Cameron, Zoe, Abby, Rachel and Sara!

 Gotta love the wrestling!  Jed has always been so good to play with the cousins!!!

 Jed with tough boy Cooper!!!

It was a fun night with a lot of laughter and fun!  Words of encouragement and words of advice.  A few tears were shed and lots of hugs were given.  Thank you to all of our family who came out to support Jed.  It was a remarkable experience that I will never forget.