Missionary Training Center Life

 We haven't heard from Benjamin except for the email he sent when he arrived:

"Made it. all was super easy except for all the spanish."

He's not a man of many words but I very much appreciated knowing he was well. Thanks to the internet, I've managed to glean a little more information.

This picture was sent to me by the man in the bottom of the picture.  I received a text from him telling me that he'd been in a lesson with Elder Dalton and Elder Brooks via zoom and wanted me to know "He radiated the light of Christ and taught with power through the Holy Ghost."  I don't know how he got my number but his text made my day.

This picture is of all the missionaries who entered the mission training center in Mexico City the day Benjamin did.  It was posted on the MTC's Facebook page.  I knew they were going to take this picture because they post the new arrival picture every week and I'd asked him before leaving to please try to sit in the front row so I'd be able to see him well.  The sweet boy obliged, even though I know he's not a usual front row sitter.

So, he seems to be doing well.  Now I need to stop picking up food for him at the grocery store, setting a place for him at the dinner table, going to his room to wake him for church, and expecting to hear him coming into the kitchen.  These routines are so ingrained and they hurt each time I realize they are no longer needed.

He Left A Hole

 A piece of my heart went to Mexico today and a huge hole has been left in my life and home.

He will be in the Mexico Missionary Training Center until Oct 22 learning Spanish and learning how to teach effectively.  Then he flies back to the US, this time to Wichita, Kansas where he'll be until late Summer 2026.

I held it together until I gave him my final hug.  Then I started to break down.  I held myself mostly in check until he was through the door and then I fully let loose.  How do you say goodbye to your baby for 2 years?!  I saw my little toddler walking away inside that grown man.  My little Benjamin.  I had 18 years, almost to the day and then he was gone. 

The sadness was about the 2 years, but it was so much more than that.  The future will never again hold a place where Benjamin's home is my home in the same way.  2 years mission, then likely only a couple weeks until college at BYU Provo, and then who knows?  This marked the end of life at home with us as we've known it.  So many thoughts, worries, and wonders. Also so much joy, excitement, and pride.  I remember very well being where he now is - the first day of the mission - so much ahead of me.  It was the best time of my life - mission, college, and beyond.  I'm thrilled for him and this opportunity he'll have.  He's going to be amazing. 

It's just going to take this mama some time to grieve that her work is done.  To come to terms with the fact that he's finally doing what I've worked so hard for and prayed so hard would happen - he's a strong, capable, well prepared man ready to go out and live his best life.  No one can adequately prepare you for how hard it is to accept success in this job.

It's Official - We Have a Missionary!

 Benjamin was set apart as a full-time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints yesterday.  He spent all day today in on-line training meetings with other youth from all over the country.  He met his training center companion who is from Irvine, California will also be serving in Wichita, Kansas, Spanish Speaking, so hopefully they can travel from the Mexico to Kansas together.  He says he's really nice and they get along well so far.  Otherwise, Benjamin has shown remarkable maturity.  He sat and learned and focused from 2pm-11pm today (late start due to differing time zones) and it was amazing to see him so dedicated.  We're super excited for this new phase in his life.  We know he's going to be amazing.

Family Pictures

 Before Benjamin leaves, we wanted to get one more set of family photos.  I was super grateful my teaching partner in seminary was willing to be our photographer.  She does an amazing job.  I think they turned out very nice.  The best part was Peter willingly posed!  First time in multiple years of trying for a decent family photo with him.  It made me so happy.  Also, I'm so glad I got a last picture of Benjamin before his dramatic hair cut.

It's Getting Real!

 The fact that Benjamin is really leaving for two years is starting to hit hard.  This past week we had some big milestones - Benjamin's ordination to the Melchizedek Priesthood and his first time in the temple to receive his endowment.  

Awkward attempt to document the moment in Kelly's office after the ordination (we only thought to take a picture after other priesthood holders had left):

It's moments like this I wish we had a lot of extended family around to join us for such moments (and to make the pictures better!) but I'm so grateful for my little family and this last bit of time we have together.

Benjamin's missionary tags came and we got all his suits.  Christian wanted to model.

For his endowment we had to go to another temple because the one in Detroit is closed for renovations until October.  We chose the Columbus, Ohio temple because our other options were Chicago (farther drive, a bit overwhelmingly big) or Indianapolis (also closed for renovations).  We're very happy with Columbus.  It was small and personal.  He was the only one going through for the first time that day and everyone gave him the star treatment.  They helped him to feel much more comfortable.  It was a very emotional day for me seeing my son in the temple after all the years I've spent praying that such a day would come.  As I entered the celestial room and sat with him and Kelly, I couldn't help but cry with joy, of course, making Benjamin very uncomfortable, I'm sure.  I'm just so grateful to God for His plan and His goodness.  

We drove down to Columbus Thursday night, just the three of us, while Christian and Bella stayed with Peter.  We got a hotel Thursday night that was just ten minutes from the temple and we went to the temple Friday morning and spent pretty much the whole day there doing various ordinances, including Benjamin's endowment.  Saturday we did another endowment session before driving home.  It was a wonderful last few days together, just the three of us.  Made me think of the trips the three of us took when Benjamin was just a baby - up north in Michigan & down to Kirtland, Ohio.  Little Benjamin in the back seat.  I'm going to miss that boy so much but I'm so excited for him.  And check out that haircut!  That's sacrifice in action, right there.  He went and got it done without complaint.

Home MTC starts Sept 9 and he flies to Mexico Sept 19! 

In preparation for him leaving, I also have been teaching him a few last minute things, such as this week, it was how to sew up a tear in clothing and how to sew a button back on.  We made it the lesson in our family home evening this week.  While we were practicing, Peter wanted to sew too.  I handed him a piece of fabric and two buttons and Kelly helped him with the rest, while I showed the older three.   Kelly helped him sew on 2 buttons but Peter wasn't interested in sewing up the tear, because look how cool Dinosaur Peter looks!