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!
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| 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
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