Called to Serve

Yesterday, Tahnee, Tyler, Josh and I, dropped Michael off at the Missionary Training Center, right here in Provo. He flew in Tuesday night, we made spaghetti and just hung out. The next morning, I had an interview at a law office (have a second interview tomorrow) and Michael got all his stuff packed and ready to go. Tahnee came over, then we went to pick up Josh at the beloved Tanner building. While we were there, we saw Tyler...long story short...he jumped in the car and the five of us met up with Lisa, Nicole, Heidi, Kasey and Karilyn at Kneaders for lunch.

*Sorry Kasey, Josh deleted the picture with us three in it :(

Afterward, we drove up to the temple and took some pictures. And then...to the curb. For those of you who have not been through the new experience of dropping off a missionary at the MTC, this is how it goes. Pull up to one of the 25 stations along the curb, where there are missionaries there waiting to help you with whatever you need, park, get out of the car, the missionaries tell you to take as much time as you need, say your good-byes, get the luggage out of the trunk, and he is off. Just like that.


Good luck Elder Neilson. You will be great. What a wonderful experience and a great time for us, return missionaries, to reflect back on our time that we spent serving the Lord. There is not one day I have been home where I have not thought about my mission. It is a part of me and will always be. Last night, Josh and I kept talking about how crazy the whole experience it is and how we are so glad we made the decision to go. I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. I love hearing of people making the choice to go, sacrifice what is going on in their personal lives and dedicate 100% to the Lord. I have a good friend from high school, Ashley Coleman, who just left to NY, NY North and a former roommate who just got called to Chile Santiago. I am so happy for these girls. I know it will bless their lives forever! I have been home for 3 1/2 years and it has blessed me in more ways than I can even comprehend. I know that Josh is certainly one of those blessings. I can't wait until the day where the two of us get to go together. How awesome is that? You can pick your companion?! After I got off the phone with my friend Maggie (who is going to Chile), I told Josh, "I hope all of our girls go on missions." I know that my experience serving a mission will help in my marriage, when I am a mother, in all of my future church callings, and in every other aspect of my life. Now it is Michael's turn. He will come to understand the gospel better than he ever has, gain a testimony stronger than ever before, and make relationships with people he will never forget. The next two years for him is going to be a roller coaster of emotions. There will be bad days, there will be good days. There will be times where he wants to give up, there will be times where he will never want it to end. There will be companions he will become best friends with, and there will be those he wants an emergency transfer. He will feel the spirit so much and will be guided to those who are ready and willing to accept the gospel in their lives. Oh to be a missionary again, and only be focused on the work of the Lord, to not worry about work, school, a social life, the opposite sex, what's on TV, etc. Michael is going to have a great time explaining the principles and ordinances of the church, inviting people to be baptized and to become apart of the Lord's kingdom here on Earth. There are days where I miss being a missionary, but I know I can always be a missionary...we all can in our daily lives, by being an example to those we associate with. I am not trying to bear my soul here, but to just remember how I loved my experience out in the mission field and how Michael will just as much! Good luck and God Speed Elder ;)