Damon got his mission call on Friday, April 24th! He had flown home from BYU on Thursday and was still adjusting to life back home when I walked in with the envelope and announced it's arrival. He said, "Don't show me the postage! James told me that I would know by the postage whether it is foreign or stateside." So dutifully I kept the package in my custody and Emily and I covered the metered stamp in layers of masking tape. Then he said he wasn't prepared yet to open it. I wasn't prepared for that response. So we were all on pins and needles the rest of the day. Taylor had a youth temple trip and Spencer was at a lifeguard training session till late that night. And Sr. D and I had an all-day sailing training the next day. So Damon decided to open it Friday night after the boys got home.
Emily stayed up till she just couldn't keep her eyes open and lay asleep on the couch till Taylor arrived at about 11:15 PM. We woke her up and Damon called Heather and put her on speaker phone. He opened it and read it out loud, from beginning to end. "Wow!" was pretty much what his reaction was and then, looking at the camera, "Just for the record, I'm not disappointed, I'm really excited!" He feels really good about it, and is excited to learn Spanish. So then he took the tape off the postage. James said that if it was $1.31 it was stateside, and $1.37 if it was foreign. Well, his postage was $1.34. We had a good laugh and thought it appropriate that stateside, but foreign language got it in the middle. But the rates have changed in the last 2 years since James left, so who knows? But Damon would have been confused nonetheless had he seen it at first.
On a personal note, my heart is full of gratitude for a son who has a strong testimony of the restored gospel and who also has a strong desire to serve the Lord and teach it to others. I don't take this great blessing for granted and feel to thank Heavenly Father for such abundance!
It was very exciting, nothing words can describe!
If you want the footage, here are the first 4 minutes I recorded.
7 comments:
Damon, this is so awesome! I'm so happy for you!! I absolutely loved watching the video. Yep, even got a little teary eyed. I've never really gotten to listen to the WHOLE letter before (everything seems to stop after the first paragraph :) and it was inspiring. Thanks for sharing this Tiff. :)
We are so excited for you, Damon! Thanks for sharing the video -- I felt like I was actually there! :) You are a great example to all of us, Damon, but especially to the younger-than-you members of the family!
Wow, our first grandson has received his mission call! (Are we feeling old or what). It was so fun to get to see the video of the opening of 'The Envelope', it was almost as good as being there in person. We are so proud of you, Damon, for being willing to sacrifice two years of your life in the service of the Lord. You are setting the example for your brothers and cousins. We know you will be an excellent missionary!
Love, Grandpa and Grandma
Congrats Damon! I can't wait to go on my mission. My Sunday School Class was just talking about going on a mission and being a missionary. If a move to Idaho then we would be close to each other. I think it would be cool to live in Colorado for a couple of years. This boy in my class asked "There is Spanish Speaking in Colorado?" I thought that was funny. Have fun Damon!
~Julie:)
Ack!! I hadn't even realized he'd already put in his papers!! WOW!! We're so excited for Damon! Love, Heather, Daron, Esther, and Nathan
Congrats Damon - you'll be a great missionary!
is he seriously old enough to do that yet? wait, are you two old enough to have a son old enough to do that? wonderful and weird all at the same time. we are so proud of damon jr and cannot wait to share in his adventure!
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