My favorite thing about…
July 8, 2010 | Blogroll
There is this place that I’ve never been to and, yet, it is about to hold one of my very favorite things.
On June 17th, Tanner did one of the bravest things I’ve ever seen him do (or maybe it’s just one of the bravest things I’ve ever LET him do). He hit submit on my computer and sent his mission papers off.
It took another 10 days after that to get all of his final interviews completed and then we were set to wait 2 1/2 weeks for his call to arrive.
We went out of town for the 4th of July. Unbeknownst to us, our Bishiop left a message for us that Friday that Tanner’s mission call had been issued and would arrive on Wednesday, the 7th. We weren’t expecting it for another week. I’m actually glad I didn’t hear that message until Monday night. The suspense from then until Wednesday was enough for me!
Wednesday morning at 8:30 am, the post office called to let us know his call had arrived. (Seriously, is that not completely awesome that they called us!)
Tanner was at work and wouldn’t be home until 4:30. The suspense! Aaauuuurrrggghhhh :)! But I was SO GOOD! I didn’t even try to peek! Although I did carry it around with me all day so that it couldn’t be opened without me there :).
And then the big moment…
The ominous envelope…
Opening it up…oohhh, the suspense!
Reading the letter (and not OUT LOUD, might I add)!
Finally! Reading the letter out loud.
And then he got to the part where he was to read the location of his mission and what did he say? “Um, I can’t pronounce this.” Want to know what went through my mind, “What! Oh crap!” (I actually probably looked a lot like this!)
And then the revelation…Sao Paulo, East Brazil Mission (speaking Portuguese).
You want to know the funny thing? His eye doctor guessed that a few weeks ago. He said Brazil and California have the largest missions. I guess he figured his odds were good picking one of those. He was right!
Tanner is excited, I can tell.
Me…I’m his mom, which simply means I’m feeling everything at once. I’m excited, happy and scared out of my shorts!
But for today, I’m just working on a passport application.
And if you haven’t guessed by now, even though I’ve never been there, I know what my absolute favorite thing in Brazil is about to be…the future Elder Tanner Jewkes!
Congratulations Tanner!
Now I have to get to work because even though he doesn’t leave until November, I have TONS of shopping to do to get him ready. Look out wallet…here we come.
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July 8th, 2010 at 7:06 pm, Darlene Says:
Great news! How exciting and “Congrats” Tanner. Just to let you know that the price of passports here are going up to $35.00 on July 12th,not sure if that is everywhere or not? So if your up to saving a bit of money do it before then. What a neat and very exciting experience he will have,maybe you well have to have him give us a report/blog on his experience. Bet he will have lots of photos ect.to share.
July 9th, 2010 at 6:24 pm, Natalie Says:
And what a handsome missionary he will be! Congrats to all of you! That is so exciting. That is just awesome.
July 11th, 2010 at 5:57 pm, Kaye Neves Says:
Sweet!!!! We are so EXCITED for Tanner and your family. Can’t really imagine all the emotion that is going on in your house - all we can think of is how BLESSED your family will be for the years that Tanner is serving in Brazil. Can’t wait to get together with your family sometime soon before the Brazilians get to meet THE Elder Jewkes. Pretty sure he will change some lives forever while he is on his mission - he is a pretty awesome kiddo.
Sure do love your family - thanks for sharing the great news. Jon, Kaye & the girls
July 18th, 2010 at 10:24 pm, Sharon Jewkes Says:
Congratulations, Tanner. I am excited for you. My brother went to Brazil on his mission in the early 50’s. All of Brazil was one mission at that time. He opened up many places that had never had missionaries. He made the headlines in one city. “MORMONS MISSIONARIES INVADE OUR CITY”. Then the article warned the people not to let them in as they would steal their girls and send them to America to be pural wives. It was the best advertising they could have had. Everyone was curious about these nice looking young men and let them in. My brother had many stories to tell about Brazil. He loved it there. One of his sons went there, too. I wish you great success. May the Lord bless and protect you.
July 19th, 2010 at 5:40 pm, Tiffanie Says:
That’s so exciting! Congratulations Tanner and nice job Teresa & Tom for raising such a good kid. I really can’t believe he’s old enough to go on a mission. I remember holding him when he was a newborn. Wow! Watch out Brazil!
July 22nd, 2010 at 10:03 pm, John Powell Says:
Congratulations Tanner!! I’m excited for you and your call to Brazil. It will be a blast for you and you will do an awesome job.