A "FLOOD" of emotion

This last week hasn't been what we had planned since Elder Johnson got his call.  On Monday it started raining, really hard.  And you know what rain does in Vegas.  It just floods!  So, being that we have the very best luck in the world, Ha Ha, the flooding decided to wash out the very roads we needed to get him to the MTC on Wednesday.  We worried all day and played out alot of senerios.  President Richards came monday night at 8:30 to set him apart.  It was a beautiful blessing.  It brought a lot of peace to this worry wart mother.  After the blessing we looked at all the news reports and it didn't look good.  By 10pm the report was that the I15 would be closed for at least 3-4 days.  The roads that go around the flooding had also been washed out but could be fixed probably the next day.  Our original plan was to all leave Tuesday morning early, drop him off Wednesday morning and drive home.  So, we prayed and cried and discussed our options.  We decided not to risk anything and just buy really expensive plane tickets for me and him.  It was very emotional to change plans that quick and realize he had to say goodbye a little early.

The next morning he said goodbye to his sisters before they left for seminary and then we headed to the airport.  He said his goodbyes to the little girls and then his Dad. That's a hard thing to watch as a mother.  We got on the plane a little bit melancholy. 

We spent the day together doing last minute things and he got to see most of our family and say goodbye.  It was a strange feeling going to bed knowing what would transpire the next morning.  I was very glad when I saw him moving his mattress into the same room I was sleeping.  I think we were both feeling the same way.

Saying goodbye to a missionary for 2 years is just something you can't explain or comprehend.  It's something they should have a prep class for at Smart night.  Its exciting and gut wrenching at the same time.  I admire every parent that has sent a missionary off. 

When we pulled up to the MTC Carter said to me that he was so glad the goodbyes were over.  As we pulled in I felt him relax.  It was as if his spirit knew it was where he belonged.  The anxiousness I felt the minute he was set apart was suddenly gone.  He was with other missionaries who were set apart to do the very same thing.  He jumped out of the car and gave me a quick hug and he was off.  Just like that, to serve the Lord and change lives.