Back in May of this year, Hallie completed and submitted her mission papers. She was hopeful to leave in September but when she opened her call while we were at Lake Powell, she was somewhat disappointed to learn of her November report date. At the time, November seemed like a lifetime away and she was already anxious to go. She hadn’t planned on going to school prior to leaving and she was worried about filling the time. All her guy friends reported to their missions over the summer and her girl friends left for school and other adventures – she worked and prepared to serve. There were moments where time passed quickly and other times where it couldn’t pass quickly enough for her.

But today is the day Hallie had been waiting for – she is officially a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Tomorrow morning she starts her home MTC (Mission Training Center) experience where she’ll do online training for just over a week before reporting to the Provo MTC next week and then eventually to the Syracuse, New York Mission.

It was an emotional day. Week. And even month. But tonight as I sat in her room with my mom, there was a beautiful confidence about her that tells me she’s ready for the next step however hard it may be on her and our family.

I’m so excited we get to have her in our home as a missionary this week. I know these are tender times and we are enjoying every minute.