She's Leaving But All I Feel is Peace

Today my beautiful daughter Katelyn received her mission call to serve as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Since she was tiny she has planned on serving a mission. Missionaries for our church can begin service at age 18 for boys and 19 for girls. (I have no idea why the age difference.) Kate turns 19 in October and could finally put in her papers (application) in mid June. We've been waiting on pins and needles since that time to find out where the Lord would send her.

Today after several disappointing trips to the mailbox over the course of last week, a very kind woman at the post office called to tell us that her call had arrived and that we could pick it up today. We dashed down to the office and the sweet lady put it right in Kate's hands! Thank you USPS for understanding how important this is to her.

Kate gather as many friends and family as she could early this morning as her dad and brother are leaving for a Scout camp and we would have had to wait MANY days before we would be together again.



As she read out the place where she would be sent, everyone screamed and yelled in excitement for her: Lima, Peru East (which is the East side of this particular mission). This is a HUGE deal for her. She has wanted to go out into the world and share her testimony of the gospel, and now she has been given that opportunity.

She will leave in November and spend several weeks in what we call the "Missionary Training Center" learning about Peru and strengthening her Spanish skills. Then she will continue to serve for a period of 18 months total in that beautiful country.

As much as I've been dreading her leaving, I feel such complete peace at her call. It seems so right for her. So perfect. And she is happy, happy, HAPPY! What more could a mother ask?

I have always known that Kate was a daughter of God on loan to me for as long as He saw fit. It is only right that she becomes His again as she serves him in a country I know she will love.

We appreciate all the love and support she has received and will continue to receive as she prepares to leave. I am sure there will be difficult days where we miss her terribly (we already do), but we are also so joyfully happy that she is doing what she KNOWS is right.

She is an amazing woman! I feel such a privilege at being able to have her in my life. I'm honored to be her mother, and I love her with such depth that I can't quite put into words how much I have loved her all these years.

Go forth my sweet girl and do big things. I know He will be at your side as long as you are doing what He asks.


12 comments

  1. Congrats! What a great adventure.

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  2. Congrats to her and your family. What a wonderful opportunity for all of you. Our granddaughter just returned from Spain, Such a blessing for the family.

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  3. Hard but worth every minute. You will get to know her even more though her emails. I know someone in the Lima west mission. He has his trials but loves it. Congrats but wow now she has quite sometime to prepare.

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    1. I think it will be a great mix of good and hard things. :)

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  4. Dorina D11:42 AM

    Congratulations to Katelyn and your feelings and pleasure for her are so beautifully stated

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  5. Congratulations! And hugs to you mom...it's tough to watch your kids go. I'm an Army mom and I know how hard it was to watch my son leave for Boot Camp and all four of his combat tours.

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    1. I can't even imagine, Celeste, how hard that must have been for you. Did you feel like you were holding your breath the whole time.

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  6. Ok, I'm getting all misty eyed......congrats to your sweet daughter!

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