Here We Go!

From my brother, Jim: "Brandon arrived at the MTC a few minutes early and they were very glad to see him and take him off my hands."

So it begins. Although I would have loved nothing more than to take him to UT and drop him off myself, my health currently prevents it and so giving my brother the opportunity to receive him, spend a day or so with him, and then drop him off at the MTC seemed a good option. I'm convinced that Elder Chesley serving his mission is a family event. All of us are invested to one degree or another--obviously some more than others. All of us will be affected by his service in one way or another.

There's a part of me that's completely at odds, though. I've spent over eighteen years with that kid, and going through the next two years without him will be tough. I keep feeling like there's something more I should be doing--someone to wait up for, someone to remind to do his chore, that kind of thing.

But Brandon said it to me best just before he left. "Mom, it's the law of the tithe. He's given me this time (his life so far on Earth), and I'm giving him my 10%."

That's deep, son. I love you.

Farewell

Monday, Elder Chesley boarded a plane to Utah where he was received by my brother, Jim Rohan. Uncle Jim took charge of my son, and will deliver him to the MTC tomorrow (Wednesday).

Here are a couple of goodbye pictures.

With Grandma Rohan

With baby sister

Elder Chesley also received a very sweet father's blessing before leaving. That blessing was a great comfort to me, as his mother, particularly since I've never done this before--but expect to do it again and again.


Saying goodbye was not easy. We hugged a lot. And I cried. I'd spent a couple of days wondering when this was really going to hit me--that my first born son was leaving for TWO YEARS. Sure, he's gone on trips without me. But this is our first real separation. I've basically seen and/or heard this human for more than eighteen years, and now he's gone. I talked to him on the phone today, and he reminded me that he'll call me on Mothers' Day, which is less than 5 months from now. That's not such a big deal. (though I have a sneaking suspicion it's going to feel like a very big deal around the middle of April)

He's a good man. I've done the best I can to this point, and while I recognize my job isn't quite over yet, I know this is the first step on his journey and I can't go along for that. And that's okay. 

Day ONE

Day one actually starts tomorrow for Elder Chesley, as that's the day he's entering the MTC (missionary training center) in Provo, UT.

But this is the blog birthday, hence the title. :)

Elder Chesley gave a lovely talk Sunday, January 24, 2016 in his home ward in Duncan, Oklahoma. We took some pictures at the church after his talk. 

Pointing out his mission on the map

Funny story, we currently have a missionary serving in Duncan, OK who is from the California Ventura Mission where Elder Chesley will serve. It's like we did a missionary swap. I wonder how often that happens.

Token parent pic