He made up two teams representing each family and asked all kinds of questions.
Each person up in front got a chance to go up and try to get the best answers, but for some reason I only have pictures of these two.
The questions ranged from naming Max’s top five fast food restaurants to knowing any Chinese words to knowing where all Dave’s siblings and spouses served missions.
We read a letter of advice for Max from our current cousin who is out on a mission (in NYC), and got advice through the parents for the other three returned missionaries (who are at college and couldn’t join us).
Then Max had a chance to bear his testimony.
And then we had pies and Max opened his ties.
So much love from so many wonderful people.
Love that will carry him through that mission in so many ways.
Our neighbors (who we claim as family) came too for part of the night but the only one I caught a picture of was Taylor right after his volleyball practice.
I can’t wait to hear about how the language is coming for him.
We still haven’t heard from him…Hoping today or tomorrow!
He finished up his last day of work:
I couldn’t help but sneak him away for a little lunch date…
Dave’s parents took him out on a special “last date” for dinner:
He took all his sisters out to lunch before he left. I don’t have pics. of his dates with Elle and Grace but I joined him for the little girls and we brought this one to their school.
As you can tell, they were pretty delighted to have him there.
He wanted to go visit one of his old teachers he had in sixth grade who he loved, and who Claire is loving now.
We got stuff ready to stick a “surprise” first package in his luggage. The girls wrote notes and I love them.
We had our last dinner together.
He chose our family favorite: Chicken Tikka Masala.
(And yes, I made him wear an apron.)
And then it was probably my favorite part of the whole mission prep process.
Max got “set apart” as a full-time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
During dinner and while we waited for the Stake President and Bishop to arrive, Elle turned on some music and out spilled Ben Folds “The Luckiest.”
The minute it started swelling through the speaker tears sprang up in my eyes.
How is it that music can do that to you so fast?
It reminded me of my other song break-down I had concerning Max a few years ago when he turned sixteen back HERE.
But right there that night between dinner and an amazing blessing from our Stake President everything culminated.
I know these words are not really about a mother loving her boy, but that night, to me, they were.
In fact, I am told that a lot
Now I know all the wrong turns the stumbles,
And falls brought me here
And where was I before the day
That I first saw your lovely face,
Now I see it every day
And I know
And then this:
I love you more then have
Ever found the way to say
To you
Spoke so clearly to me. How can you ever find a way to say the love as deep as a mother has for her son?
And it wasn’t just that boy sitting there in a suit I felt so lucky to have. I looked around at my girls with such a deep swell of love I could hardly bear it. For my husband at my side through thick and thin who I love more deeply than anything. For our leaders, for the scriptures that have led me through so many tough times.
My heart swelled with all that above, which was enveloped in pure love for the gospel of Jesus Christ that has changed our lives for the better in more ways than I can ever count.
And that my boy gets to go out and spread that love and the joy that comes with it.
Yes, right there with tears filling up my eyes surrounded by people I love most in the whole wide world I knew more than ever before that “I am, I am, I am the luckiest.”
We had a beautiful little meeting along with our church leaders, Dave’s parents and my brother Josh. Dave and I got to bear our testimonies, some thoughts and words were shared by our leaders, and Max was given a special blessing to “set him apart” as a missionary. When someone is set apart he starts living according to mission standards and I truly believe that when one is set apart (we are set apart of many different callings) he/she is blessed with a certain mantle of love and guidance particular to that calling.
After the blessing Max had the chance to bear his testimony.
I don’t know that I have ever heard a more heart-felt and tender proclamation of love and willingness to serve. Tears were literally splashing out of his eyes and the room was so filled with love it was tangible.
Last hugs and goodbyes to my brother and Dave’s parents…
One last back rub from his mother…
And then it was off to bed for us all before the early morning that awaited us in a few hours to get him to the airport.
I went to sleep so full of love for everything that had happened that evening, for all the mission prep we got to do together, and a sense of peace I haven’t had before.
Go listen to “The Luckiest” (HERE) if you want to cry for a minute and think about all the things that you are the luckiest about.
Saying a prayer that God will bless your Mama heart, and grant you peace! I can't imagine sending my boy away for two years. Hang in there! Glad you are still able to see all the blessings surrounding the situation even though its hard to let him go.
Oh my goodness! Didn't know about the only two times a year contact. I'm already gearing up for college (in two years) and thinking about how I need to insist they text me at least once a day so I know they are alive 😉 I am sure it is a great opportunity for Max although not sure I could handle it as a mom! Thanks for sharing…it's interesting to learn and read about different religions, traditions, etc. that we don't experience too much of here in the Midwest 😉
Sending you my thoughts and prayers.
What a great family tradition–pies and ties. Sounds like a lot of fun.
What a sweet boy you have and what a great missionary he is. I teared up at the letters he got from his sister's and when you told of the setting apart experience. Your family is a wonderful example to the world– of love and of family. Thoughts and prayers are with you all. Can't wait to read about the first letter home. Lisa
So I'm sitting in a library reading this post with a bottle of chocolate milk next to me, and tears are coming down as chug my milk. Oh what people must be wondering. 😉 Such a sweet post. I can't wait for when my babies grow up to their missions. But then again, I think I can wait just a little bit longer. 🙂 Thanks for sharing such tender feelings! I've never met your boy, but I'm looking forward to hearing about his experiences as you feel fit to share 🙂
Chaun from http://www.hiccupsandpastries.com
I am sitting her snuggling my six week old son, and I can't even imagine how you did it. You are an inspiration! I have been following your blog for a few years now and I am so glad I found it. I have learned so much from you and your family.
I have a question for you, as you look back at Max growing up what do you think YOU did to make sure he wanted to serve a mission and to make sure that he was as ready as he could be? I have three little men (5, 3 and 6 weeks) and sometimes thinking of getting these boys ready to be missionaries is overwhelming. What can I do now to make sure we are all prepared for this great adventure that is in store for us?
Oh your Missionary Max posts have me all sort of blubbering over here! What a great kid, you must be so proud! I'll be sure to bring the whole box of kleenex to my computer tomorrow for the send off post.
I've read your blog for awhile, and never commented. You are a wonderful mother, and I am always inspired by you. I sent my first missionary off 7 LONG months ago. It was the hardest thing I've ever done. It's miserable joy. I read that you were going to get a cardboard cut out of Max, and wanted to show you what we do. Shindigz.com had fan faces. We take our 'fake jake' everywhere we go. We print out pictures monthly and send them off to him. He loves showing the people in Brazil, and it helps my heart to feel like we are including him. It's been fun to come up with creative pictures. you can see more on instagram on fake_a_jake if you want. Just a thought for you. Good luck. It gets a little easier when you read their emails and see the growth. It's amazing!
Thank you for sharing these experiences. I have one son who is about to turn 6 and I know the years are going to fly by and before I know it I will be sending him on his mission. You write so beautifully that it gives me peace and faith to know when I get to that point that it can be a wonderful experience for all. Thank you so much again for sharing your heart with us 😊
We are a year and a half behind you and I'm kind of living this with you- the past year or two, knowing what I should expect when this same thing happens with our family over the next year (several years). I like how someone commented above, referring to this as "miserable joy". Raising these children from birth (and usually pregnancy), seeing them through those years that will never end- diapers, nursing, strollers, sippie cups, going on little sleep. And before I knew it my husband and I were running out the door when ever we could, on spur-of-the-moment dates, leaving the older 2 to watch the younger 3. I just don't know what to think of it but grateful you are sharing what you're experiencing.
oh shawn, I love you.
I've been reading your thoughts for a while and I find it so cool how bloggers feel connected to each other without even meeting each other!
My five year baptism anniversary was just a couple of days ago and it has been the biggest blessing. The missionaries found us by simply knocking on our door. I'm so thankful for those missionaries who took 2 years from their lives and it's fun to still keep in touch with them here and there!!
Max will be a wonderful missionary and he will bless and touch many people's lives.
Love your family & sending prayers for all of you <3
What a lovely comment to leave on a post about her son leaving. So sweet of you. <3
I was just crying the whole time reading it. I just can't imagine sending my boy away for 2 years. Hang in there mama, boys are just so so special.
Oh the tears… Dave's reply to you, the girls' letters, and that amazing song. Thinking of you & your family as you all begin this journey.
What an amazing send-off! Great tradition! Loved every picture and every bit of sweetness! You are an amazing writer Shawni! Your grandchildren (Max's kids especially will love reading this and seeing this! How I wish we had all our family's farewells so well documented! Bless the blogging world!