It Doesn't Get Any Better Than This!

Yesterday morning 5 missionary calls arrived at our home.

After being gone for several days, we knew we would come home to The Boy's call, but

we had no idea that several other calls would also arrive.  On my dining room table sat the

unopened calls....all together....the futures of some fine young men.

A few calls were made.  We organized our family for the opening of The Boy's call, and I went to work.

My stomach was in knots all day long....The Boy was traveling home from Safford, after attending Prom

with a sweet friend, and around 7:00 our home began to fill with family and friends.  The Boy arrived around

7:20.  A little earlier one of the young men stopped by to pick up his call.....Alejandro Hinojos, who has

been with The Boy since Kindergarten....he called a short while later to let us know he had been called

to the Dominican Republic!  Another young man arrived a little after Alex, Aaron Guiterrez, it was his

18th birthday and his entire family had gathered to celebrate....he called a little later and announced that he

had been called to the Dominican Republic too!  One will go to the East mission and the other to the West mission.  Pretty incredible!  Once the entire family had gathered.....and many friends arrived.....

 

.....The Boy opened his call....with his Aunt Shauna standing over his shoulder....

she actually read his assignment before he did and looked directly at me when she realized where he would be going....with look that at the moment...I didn't understand, but when he read...

London, England South....I understood.  He was in shock....we were in shock...everyone was in

shock.  No one in our area has been called to England!  He will report August 26, 2011 and

he will be speaking English.  He will also be reporting to the MTC in England.

The Farmer was the first to grab him and give him a big father's hug.....and The Boy

hugged back really hard.  The group that had gathered cheered...the Mom cired...and that is why the above

picture is blurry..;)....Everyone hugged...it was a very special experience.

The Boy was on one phone with the Grandparents Skinner and on another phone

with The Farmer's Mother who is out of town at the moment.

Cousins hugged tight....they have spent their entire lives together....it is going to be very

hard for them to be apart.

The future missionaries....

The whole gang.  Once The Boy opened his call....we all climbed into our cars and headed to the home

of Mi Hijo (Jonathan)....so he could open his call.  He was assigned to Ecquador...he was thrilled

his Mom was a little sad.  We returned to our cars and returned to our home for cake and visiting.

It was a wonderful moment for our family, both immediate and extended!  Like Aunt S. said..."this

day will rank up with the greatest days of your life....your marriage....the birth of your children...and

the opening of the mission call."   and she is right!!

Thanks to Aunt Kim for such great missionary pictures of The Boy. 

She knows how to capture the personality of The Boy.  I guess only an Aunt could do that.

We love you Aunt Kim!