The final countdown!

2 years ago my youngest son, Christopher, committed to serve a prosthelytizing mission for our church. He left his job, friends, family, and even his girlfriend to spend the next 24 months, unpaid, teaching all who would listen about Jesus Christ. He was sent to Seattle, Washington. Each week Christopher and I email each other. I have seen such a transformation come over him. I love our missionary program. We send 19 year old boys out into The world, and they come back mature, patient, learned men. We send girls out, and they come back beautiful, spiritual, strong women. They learn social skills, public speaking skills, and learn to trust God and love man.

Next weekend I will be painting his old room, and getting things ready for him to come home. I have missed him greatly and will be happy to have him home, but I am so happy that he chose to go.

See you in 2 years

This morning was very calm at my house. Peaceful. We ate breakfast and checked off Chris' packing list. I had lunch with my 3 boys, then we dropped Chris off at the MTC. He will be able to email me about once a week, and I will post some of what he relays to me here.

Right now I am getting to know my new laptop. It is an HP dv4-2045dx. It should get me through the next four years of school just fine :)

The other night I learned how to do some basic html. I quite enjoyed it! I had decided against going into anything computer related in school, but now am toying with the idea again. I signed up for Psychology and thought about a minor in English. Boy my interests vary a great deal, don't they! I better figure out soon what I want to be when I grow up.

Elder Christopher Nelson

Christopher was set apart as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints tonight. I am so proud of him :)
I was not prepared for how emotional I would be. He will be away for 2 years. I will miss him greatly, but I am am so happy and completely support his decision to go. He won't be too far away, and the 2 years will go by quickly I am sure. I know that during this time away, he will learn much and mature both mentally and spiritually.
He will be able to email me once a week, write letters, and call me on Mother's Day and Christmas.

Yesterday I received my acceptance letter for Utah Valley University. I will start in January. I bought a laptop for school as well. I will post more tomorrow. Right now, I am going to play a game with Christopher :)

Christopher

Christopher took his first temple prep class today. I am so excited for him. He has filled out his mission papers, and will submit them in a few weeks. Has to have his wisdom pulled, finish the classes, and be ordained an elder, then we send them in.
I didn't realize how much was involved in becoming a missionary! This has been such a neat experience for me, and seems to be for him, although he is getting a bit nervous now.

I will miss him greatly, but I know this will be a great opportunity for him, and he will learn much.