The In Between

9/15/24

We’ve had one week of calm between the business of moving out, packing, mission prep and actually leaving. Some lovely friends hosted us for a week while we were in between these big things and it turned into a much needed week of rest. A highlight of the week was being set apart as missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by our Stake President, Russ Roll. He gave us tender counsel, uplifting words, encouragement, and so much support. We both received powerful blessings from him that we will always treasure. It has been a pleasure and a privilege to prepare for our mission with this inspired leader.

The most difficult part of the week was saying goodbye, see you later, & bless (goodbye in Icelandic) to our family. Our little grandchildren don’t understand that we are leaving for so long. I almost managed to hold it together as we left them and fell apart later. We will get a lot of contact through electronics, but things are definitely going to be different. We love our girls and their husbands, we love our grandchildren, and we love the Lord. 

This week I’ve been studying this talk by Elder Rasband:

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2023/10/28rasband?lang=eng

In it he says, “Some of you might be thinking: “But what about leaving the grandchildren? We would miss family milestones, birthdays, friends, and even our pets.” If I had asked my mother why she and Dad went on a mission, I know she would have said this: “I have grandchildren. I want them to know that your father and I served in the mission field, we wanted to set an example for our posterity, and we were blessed, so blessed.” 

As difficult as the goodbye’s have been, we want to set that example for our posterity as well. 

Our two oldest daughters, Kathryn & Rachel, dropped us off at the Eugene, Oregon airport on Saturday morning. Our luggage squeaked by the airport weight limits and we made it onto the first flight of many to come. I can’t count the times we’ve unpacked and repacked these bags attempting to get everything we want to take to weigh under 50 lbs per bag! (There will be some shopping in Iceland. 😉 )

I may have cried for half of the flight as I continue to process the big changes in our life. I’m not sad to go on our mission, don’t think that. But this big change is bringing up lots of feelings and those feelings tend to come out as tears! Fortunately, Todd is a kind and compassionate husband who held me, let me cry, and handed me tissues while we made our way to Utah.

We spent a lovely Sabbath day with my mom and enjoyed visiting with some family in Utah. And now, tomorrow, to the MTC. See you there!