What no one tells you....
Where to start.... this is us, July 5th right before saying goodbye to our oldest son. We stopped at the Provo Utah Temple prior to dropping him off at the MTC (Missionary Training Center) for a 2 year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
July 8th, I went grocery shopping for the first time since we got home.
No one told me I might cry at the meat counter while the butcher prepared my meat, I only need 3 chicken breasts to feed my family instead of four. My next stop was the dairy section. I barely held it together while I pulled 2 gallons of milk out of the fridge instead of 4. Sounds silly?? It's true! Crying in the grocery store because our life will be changed forever through this experience.
No one tells you that you will only need to set 6 places at the Sunday dinner table instead of 7.
No one tells you his dog will miss him like crazy. Roxy is constantly at the window watching for him to pull in the drive way. She went ballistic when a jeep drove by, it wasn't Hayden.
No one tells you the joy you may feel as you notice things he taught his younger siblings. The two little brothers inherited the job to take out the garbage and recycling. He prepped them for a couple months having them do the job with him each week. I didn't cry when I saw them doing the job, I was very happy their big brother had prepared them to do it in his absence. But... when I thought of the preparation he had given them I began to cry. Who would teach them now?
No one prepared me for how I would feel and how much I would miss our oldest boy. We (parents, & family) spent his whole life preparing for his mission and several months preparing things and attending appointments for him to serve, but nothing prepared us for this.
No one told me I would feel as though my heart is being torn in two different directions... one way I am heartbroken because we miss him terribly. The other way we we are so proud of him and his choice to serve, we know it is right, we know he will learn so much, we know it will change his life and ours forever!
No one tells you that your other children will also be heartbroken. Clara, the middle sister, cried hard when we came home and found the fish had died her older brother had entrusted it to her while he was gone. We had forgotten to tell the house guests to feed the tank upstairs. One of the boys sobbed as we pulled away from the MTC.
No one tells you exactly how the MTC drop off will go, you are advised to say your goodbyes at home or another location because at the curb drop off you can give a quick hug while they unload the luggage, then they are off!
No one tells you that when you pull into the MTC, they give you a blue or pink sticky note on your windshield. This tells the missionaries who are waiting to help whether there is an Elder or Sister is in the car so they know who to send to greet you and your missionary. It is a fun atmosphere they try to create. The sweet Sisters wave and cheer for boy vs. girl cars. It helps lighten the mood but inside your heart is in torment.
No one tells you the first few days he is gone, you will about go crazy with thoughts, wonder and worry. But... once you I received that first email from the MTC, your worries and concern will mostly dissipate! He looked great! He was happy and he was where the Lord would have him be. It all turned from mystery to real, sad to happy, and wonder to knowledge. I was so very grateful for that first simple sweet email and two pictures!
By the way... NO ONE TELLS YOU that P-Day can be on a Saturday in the MTC!
Maybe I will get to lots of advice later but for know... just know that there is really no way to prepare for the mixed emotions of joy and pain you will feel as your missionary serves. Cling to the faith that they are learning, growing and in one of the very best places they could ever be!
Much Love, Heidi
July 8th, I went grocery shopping for the first time since we got home.
No one told me I might cry at the meat counter while the butcher prepared my meat, I only need 3 chicken breasts to feed my family instead of four. My next stop was the dairy section. I barely held it together while I pulled 2 gallons of milk out of the fridge instead of 4. Sounds silly?? It's true! Crying in the grocery store because our life will be changed forever through this experience.
No one tells you that you will only need to set 6 places at the Sunday dinner table instead of 7.
No one tells you his dog will miss him like crazy. Roxy is constantly at the window watching for him to pull in the drive way. She went ballistic when a jeep drove by, it wasn't Hayden.
No one tells you the joy you may feel as you notice things he taught his younger siblings. The two little brothers inherited the job to take out the garbage and recycling. He prepped them for a couple months having them do the job with him each week. I didn't cry when I saw them doing the job, I was very happy their big brother had prepared them to do it in his absence. But... when I thought of the preparation he had given them I began to cry. Who would teach them now?
No one told me I would feel as though my heart is being torn in two different directions... one way I am heartbroken because we miss him terribly. The other way we we are so proud of him and his choice to serve, we know it is right, we know he will learn so much, we know it will change his life and ours forever!
No one tells you that your other children will also be heartbroken. Clara, the middle sister, cried hard when we came home and found the fish had died her older brother had entrusted it to her while he was gone. We had forgotten to tell the house guests to feed the tank upstairs. One of the boys sobbed as we pulled away from the MTC.
No one tells you that when you pull into the MTC, they give you a blue or pink sticky note on your windshield. This tells the missionaries who are waiting to help whether there is an Elder or Sister is in the car so they know who to send to greet you and your missionary. It is a fun atmosphere they try to create. The sweet Sisters wave and cheer for boy vs. girl cars. It helps lighten the mood but inside your heart is in torment.
No one tells you the first few days he is gone, you will about go crazy with thoughts, wonder and worry. But... once you I received that first email from the MTC, your worries and concern will mostly dissipate! He looked great! He was happy and he was where the Lord would have him be. It all turned from mystery to real, sad to happy, and wonder to knowledge. I was so very grateful for that first simple sweet email and two pictures!
By the way... NO ONE TELLS YOU that P-Day can be on a Saturday in the MTC!
Maybe I will get to lots of advice later but for know... just know that there is really no way to prepare for the mixed emotions of joy and pain you will feel as your missionary serves. Cling to the faith that they are learning, growing and in one of the very best places they could ever be!
Much Love, Heidi
Love husband Heidi! One year from now I will be doing the same thing. I'm trying to prepare my heart but your right, now sure it can really 100 percent be ready for it. Love ya and look forward to learning and preparing by listening to your thoughts!
ReplyDeleteThanks Danae! You are such a sweetheart! I'm not sure if we can every really be totally prepared. But we are already learning and loving having a missionary out! Sending LOVE my sweet friend!
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