Called to Serve!

Today Dallin received his mission call to serve as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! We had been anticipating this day for what seemed like forever (but was really only about a week and a half). In the weeks preceding this day, Dallin filled out paperwork, had doctor and dentist appointments, received interviews from church leaders...and watched several friends open their emails instructing them where they would serve. It has been an exciting time! Dallin's two best friends, Tanner Dehart and Tyler Chisholm, both received their calls a week or so before Dallin. Tanner received the call to serve in the Colombia Medellin mission, and Tyler was called to serve in the El Salvador San Salvador/West Belize mission. Other friends have been called to serve in Madagascar, Texas, Guam, etc. I knew wherever Dallin was instructed to serve, he would serve with every ounce of his heart, might, mind, and strength...because that is who he is. I am so proud of the man he has and continues to become. It is not easy to decide to put your life on hold for 2 years so that you can go spread the good news of Christ's gospel and share His peace and love with others. It's not easy to say goodbye to family and friends for 24 months. It's not easy to know people will reject your faith and trample your beliefs. Yet, he has chosen to serve as a representative of Jesus Christ. He has chosen to share what he knows with others; in hopes that someone, somewhere will accept this beautiful message and find the peace he/she seeks. I know Dallin had a flurry of emotions leading up to the moment he opened the email to read his mission call. I too had a flurry of emotions. I was anxious to know where he would go (and what challenges he would face with just the location). I was nervous that he would be disappointed (although that's not who he is) if he didn't receive a call to serve a foreign mission like so many of his friends. I was proud of the fact that he was willing to take this journey in his life. I was elated to see so many friends and family come out to support him. And...I was a little sad as I contemplated the next two years without him here at home. Dallin received an email around 9:30 a.m. informing him that the letter informing him where he would serve and when he would need to report was in his missionary portal on the Church's official website. I'm not sure how he did it, but he waited until 8:00 that evening to open that letter! In the meantime, we contacted family and friends to join us, and I decorated the house for the occasion. He also had a track meet after school! He is only doing high jump this year. He jumped 5'10"...not his best, but good to start the season. Finally, the meet was over and we all rushed home! It wasn't long after we got home that people started to show up. I love how much support he (and our little family) has! Dallin quickly pulled up the website on my iPad and searched for the letter. Once he found it, the room quieted, and he started to read: "Elder Dallin Southwick..." It seemed like an eternity before he finally read: "You have been called to serve in the Dominican Republic Santiago mission!!!" Everyone cheered!! Everyone was so excited! He has to report to the Mexico City Missionary Training Center on July 9 to learn to speak Spanish in preparation for his service in the Dominican Republic. I was elated that he gets to serve foreign and Spanish speaking, but July all of the sudden seemed too near. I knew he would leave around that time, but now it was for sure. I don't know if I'm ready to let him go, but I can't imagine a better place for him to be or a better thing for him to be doing! We are so excited to experience this journey with him. The Dominican Republic will have a part of my heart and become a part of my heart over the next two years. Buena suerte Elder Southwick! Felicidades!

Tanner Dehart Mission Call Opening:

Tyler Chisholm Mission Call Opening:

Dallin's Mission Call Opening:

 

Dallin wearing the same shirt that the girls inadvertently both wore to open their calls.

 

A weekend of music, dancing, and singing!

This weekend was full of musical adventures! On Friday (March 8th) night, Danny had his spring orchestra concert. I love watching his progression. I am amazed at how well the orchestra sounds for only being in junior high. I love that Danny has expressed such interest in the cello...and that he wants to continue to develop that talent.

Saturday night (March 9th) Dallin attended what will be one of his last high school dances. It's crazy to think that this year is almost over! I get overwhelmed when I look at my calendar and see it filling up fast! I can't believe the end of the school year is almost upon us!! I have to stop and remind myself to enjoy all these little moments because they fly by so quickly. Tonight's dance was a girl-ask-guy dance (Preference) so Dallin's date, Jackie, got to pick him up. Even though Jeff and I had plans in SLC, I made sure to stick around to see Jackie and Dallin before their dance. I am grateful that Dallin has chosen good friends. I love seeing them enjoy all these high school milestones together. Jackie is a beautiful girl both inside and out. They had a blast together!

After seeing them off, Jeff and I headed to SLC to see Mozart's opera, The Magic Flute. Yes, you read right. We went to an opera. This was originally going to be on my #40by40 list, but Jeff decided to have his appendix out that day, so it got postponed. (I think Jeff was secretly trying to get out of it.) We had dinner at the Garden Restaurant before attending the performance. I'm not sure opera is really our thing, but it wasn't horrible. I actually enjoyed the musical talent, and we did enough homework before the performance so we weren't lost in the story line. I may give another opera a try, but I think Jeff was satisfied with his one and only experience.

Happy 40th!

I made it! I survived turning 40! It actually wasn't as bad as I anticipated. Haha! I am still not sure what this next decade holds for me. There is still a sense of anxiety because of the unknown, but what I do know is that I have been incredibly blessed with amazing people that have accompanied me on all my journeys thus far...and that's all I need. Jeff is one of those people, and he made sure I had a fun weekend celebrating my birthday. (Yes...I like to celebrate for more than just one day!) On Friday (Mar. 1), we did our traditional downtown Provo lunch and walk to Provo Bakery with a bouquet of roses (one rose for each year...the bouquet was so big I needed two vases!). This year, we had lunch at the Communal then strolled down the street to pick up my yummy lemon cake.

Jeff knew me well enough to get a couple cupcakes in addition to the cake so I could have a lemony treat right after lunch instead of just waiting for the cake on Sunday.

Saturday (Mar. 2), he took charge of the kids while I spent a day to myself. I went shopping, got a pedicure, ate lunch where I wanted to!, ran errands (yes...that may sound like a waste of time to do on a day dedicated to myself, but I loved it! I could run the errands without interference from a three-year-old.), and finally went to the temple.

Sunday (Mar. 3), we celebrated with everyone. This was probably the biggest culmination of my birthday festivities even though my actual birthday wasn't until Tuesday. Jeff's parents, Katie, Greg, Krystle, and her family, and Scott and his family (including his new fiance and her kids) came over to have dinner and birthday cake. I love all my birthday traditions, but I especially love spending an evening with family. To me, birthdays are a time to celebrate with those you love...and that's all I really need. In all the time I've had to reflect on this milestone birthday, one thing had stood out - life means more when you have people to share it with.

My traditional birthday dinner - "fried" chicken, green beans and mashed potatoes.

Jonas got me this shirt.

Nichole and Krystle got me a saguaro cactus necklace.

Danny got me an Olson's Garden gift card. Dallin got me a FastKart gift card for Dad and I to have a date night.

Jeff got me a sweet card with cash.

All the other thoughtful cards!

Monday (Mar. 4) was a pretty routine day. I actually watched the Tanner boys for most of the day so there weren't any birthday festivities. Tuesday (Mar. 5) was finally my birthday! (Jonas has been confused this whole time as to what day is my actual birthday!) Jeff again stepped in to make sure that, even in my routine day, I felt loved and celebrated. (Plus, I received several thoughtful birthday wishes from friends and family.) He made me pancakes for breakfast (my favorite breakfast dish) then after I took Jonas to tumbling class, we met up for a special lunch at a new restaurant in Orem - Asado Argentian Grill. It serves all the typical foods I loved on my mission. I got a yummy pastry with lots of dulce de leche to enjoy as my birthday treat. That evening, Jeff took me and the boys to Fat Jack's pizza in Payson for dinner.

I enjoyed my long birthday weekend celebrations! I don't think "blessed" or "grateful" could ever adequately express how I feel,  especially for Jeff. He is not a person who likes to celebrate birthdays, but he knows how much I love my birthday and makes sure he goes out of his way to make it special. My heart is full!