Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Onward, Ever Onward

Tomorrow's the big day! Nate enters the MTC at noon. YIKES! It is exciting, overwhelming, scary and sad all at the same time.

Sunday he spoke in church. He did a fabulous job. He was assigned to speak about receiving answers to prayers. He shared a lot of personal experiences about how prayer has helped him in his life, as well as scriptures and quotes from church leaders. Nate was a little freaked out when he learned he was supposed to speak for 20-25 minutes, but he did great. I was one proud mom!

Afterward, our extended family and close friends came to our house for lunch and to visit with Nate.

Wish us luck tomorrow at the Missionary Training Center. Today, I've been quite emotional and have come close to falling apart more than once. Nate got out his quad and rode it around the neighbhorhood for one last time today. One of my neighbors called me and said when she saw him go by, she got a lump in her throat as she thought about him leaving.

We are so happy with the young man Nate has become. I know he will work hard and be a good missionary. I just hope I can be a good missionary mom, too!

Someone told me that one of their sons' mission presidents told the missionaries, "Be the kind of missionary your mom thinks you are." That's good advice. I shared it with Nate!


16 comments:

pat said...

Now I am going to have that hymn running through my mind all night, and what a great message it is! Congrats to Elder E. Be sure to take lots of Kleenex...my son called the MTC room The Room of A Thousand Weeping Mothers, LOL!! (we didn't go to the MTC--sent him off from Seattle) Be strong--send him off with a smile, even if it hurts.

KRISTIE said...

Good luck tomorrow, this is something i am sort of dreading, my ds is only 2 but it seems like if i blink we will be there. I wish i lived in canada, i would feed him often :)
You'll be my prayers.

Becky said...

Aw, this is making me sad. I admire your bravery and faith and hope tomorrow goes okay for all of you.

Mandy said...

There are so many achievements that a family shares, and this post makes me feel like I am sharing in your joy and achievement. AMAZING. . . thank u for sharing!

Kristen Wagner Penn said...

Good luck! I can see why you are so proud! He sounds like an incredible son and person.

Tori said...

Best of luck tomorrow! I can only imagine how you are feeling right now.

Jen said...

Good luck tomorrow!!!! I will be thinking about you. Im sure he will be a fantastic missionary- and bless the lives of so many people- and you will be blessed too - for sharing him! :) If it werent for missionaries, I wouldnt be where I am today. Good luck tomorrow- I'll be thinking about you!!

Tracy said...

You will be in my thoughts tomorrow! Your son will bless many lives....I'm sure of it! It's a good thing we don't have to face these bittersweet milestones very often....us mom's couldn't take it!

Suzy said...

Beautiful black and whites! Best of luck to your son!

Reds said...

Your son is doing an amazing thing - you and your family must be so proud!! Love your b&w pics!

Jess said...

AWWW! Your heart must be literally bursting with pride and love for your boy right now! I am SO proud of him and I don't even "know" him in real life! It is such an amazing, selfless thing he is doing and I know he is going to do SO much good out there. Be strong... God will watch over E when you aren't able to. {{{hugs}}}

Gypsy Girl(Brenda) said...

I will be praying for you today to have a swift goodbye. I even have tears in my eyes for you so just hold on tight. I bet you are so proud.

Joanne Fowler said...

{{{hugs}}} I admire the bravery - yours and his!

Tricia and Jon said...

Margaret- I was sorry that I couldn't be there on Sunday - send Nate my best wishes! Love you guys!

On a side night, those pictures of Jon and my dad are awesome! :)

Sharon said...

Love the B&Ws. Good luck!

Tracy said...

I've been watching for an update today! Are you out standing by the mailbox waiting for a letter? Does the mailman know he's got a new stalker yet? Hope the big day went well!