One year

What a year! I cannot believe it has come and gone so fast! I remember being a wreck that whole day we said goodbye to Ashley and put her on that plane. I miss her terribly and something will happen and I so want to tell her about it but then I remember I can't. Not till Monday, at least. But I have read her letters, seen her on Skype a few times and I can't help but be proud of the woman she has become. It is so true that missions convert you. Not that she didn't already have a strong testimony or she never would have left in the first place, but that it has continued to grow and increase by volumes. She says that I played a big part in that. Funny because I look back at so many of the mistakes that I made, especially involving her decision to go on a mission in the first place and I am ashamed. But she loves me anyway. That is a Christlike attribute like none other. (That's what Ashley said, lol!!!)  And I am grateful that I have the ability to change and that she does not hold it against me and that I have the opportunity to be a positive support system to her when she really needs me to be. So this mission has converted me more to the Gospel as well!

I look forward to being able to send out the rest of my children when it is time. I love the example they are, I love having the missionaries in my home and the spirit they bring and knowing somewhere in Idaho my daughter is bringing that same spirit with her!

There are six months to go and I finally agree with others that it will go by fast. And what a great six months it will be! Britt is a senior and graduation is upon us. But before that we have winter drumline. I really thought I was done with that! And Joey has plans for Junior High! Yep, world, beware! He is moving up as well!
(Funny story, I was stopped by Sis. Grant at the indexing dinner, which I will talk about later, but she said even though he is not in her class, she definitely knows who he is. That kind of comment always scares me. What has he done now always comes to the front of my mind. She said her daughter substituted a lot for Mrs. Christensen's class when he was in fifth grade and she did not know what to make of him. But the more she taught him, the more he became her favorite! Cool, huh?)

So on this day that Jeremy is dropped off and the anniversary of when Ashley started her mission, I look back fondly of those times of planning, preparing, and getting excited about serving the Lord. And I thank God for this experience.