Adios Hermana Southwick

Today we said, "Hasta luego", to Amber. Today she was set apart as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to labor in the Spain Barcelona mission! While I am so excited for all the adventures and lessons she will encounter over the next 18 months, I have to admit I was sad to have to say good-bye. Tears started to flow when we reached the stake president's office where she was officially given the mandate of missionary. This was real. All we had been preparing and anticipating in the last few months had finally arrived. The stake president gave her a beautiful blessing when he set her apart. I know she will be cared for and protected while she is away. I know she will learn more life lessons in the next 18 months than she has in the past 19 years. I know she will come away from this a better person, a better sister, a better daughter, and eventually a better wife and mother. I didn't know I would shed so many silent tears in the days leading up to her departure or that my heart would break a little as it did when she walked out of sight at the airport. Buena suerte Hermana Southwick! Te amamos mucho!