I knew his call would be coming soon and I had been trying to prepare myself for it! Mind you I was 8 months pregnant, so I was full of emotions anyway ;) and besides feeling unprepared for the call I was also preparing myself for his graduation. With those things combined and trying to keep up with Weston and Marleigh's activities and J.T. being a human tornado, I was (needless to say) a wreck!!! I would cry myself to sleep during nap time thinking about Alex's growing up and being gone. Then I'd wake up and cry some more. I knew it was a happy and exciting occasion but I was having a hard time coming to grips with the fact that he was growing up and ready to go!!!
He received the call on May 8th. Which to you means nothing but to me meant someone was planning on going on a mission with Alex and would be there to take care of him every step of the way! May 8th is my Dad's birthday... I had laid down with J.T. for his nap (cried as usual) and missed a phone call from Alex while we were sleeping. When I woke up I saw the missed call and also had a text that said "GUESS WHAT CAME IN THE MAIL!?!?!" I then cried again (imagine that) and quickly called him to hear what he had to say and make arrangements to open it. I did my best to hide the fact that I was crying uncontrollably, talked to Alex, then called my mom who was out of town and cried some more! After getting comfort from her (and a couple other friends) my Mom called me back. As the phone was ringing, the thought came to my mind "It's your Dad's birthday today. He did this!" I answered the phone and my Mom said to me "It's your Dad's birthday today. You can bet money he had something to do with this!" And I knew without a doubt in my mind that he had his hand in him receiving it on that day!
My Dad was and still is a missionary! There aren't many times that I can remember my Dad not taking an opportunity to tell someone about the gospel. Even in times when I felt it was embarrassing or inappropriate he felt the spirit guide him to teach. It was usually done in a funny, comfortable teaching way (usually) and people responded to his love for them. When he died he was in the process of turning in papers to go on another mission with my Mom. We all know that Dad was called on a mission to the other side and he is taking his grandson's missions (all of them) very seriously! He's going to take care of my biggest baby and that speaks volumes of peace to my soul!!!
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