On February 17, friends and family gathered around one person. Waiting to hear the big news. In my heart, I as a mother, kept praying, 'Please, Heavenly Father, help me to be ok with where ever he is called to serve.' I know that his call was sent for him and he is going to be the best missionary for the people he will serve and share the gospel with.
The anticipation was killing us. The mail came at 4:30pm and he was the first to get it. He hid in the office with it held tight to his chest. I had inquired as to whether it had arrived, but the smile and blush in his face revealed it had, long before he could admit to the fact that it indeed had come. He then hid his call, and left for his Physics lab at Weber State University. He wouldn't be home until 8:30.
I tried to calm myself and clean up the family room which would soon be filled with people who love him. We sat in the room, but couldn't hold still because of the excitement that was in the air. Some bets were made, he would go State-side, some other bet that he would go to Europe. Don't worry, no money was involved.
So, 8:30 arrived and we were all so excited. He was home and the anticipation was killing me. We were ready for anything. I had even taped a world map up on the family room wall, just so we could find the place if we didn't know where it was.
He slowly cut open the envelope revealing a letter signed by the Prophet of God. Dear Matthew Thomas Hales..... You are hereby called to serve in the Chihuahua, Mexico mission.....It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of 24 months.....You will report to the Provo, Utah Missionary Training Center on June 30,2010.
To be honest, I was relieved that he went foreign and that he was still close enough that I could still drive there if I had too. So, land of the "little dog". I called a lot of people and shared the news. Who wouldn't be proud of a son that was worthy to serve the Lord. Chihuahua. Wow. Where do I begin. Well, first we start with the passport, then the visa, then all of the shots, the clothes that you buy for the mission and mission only, knowing that the clothes you buy will probably not even make it through the 2 years. I'm on a mission myself to find the best pair of shoes that will last at least a year. He will be walking up to 20 miles a day in the dessert, so they need to be good ones. I will definitely be getting him some cushioned inserts for his shoes as well.
There are a lot of good things happening down there in Mexico, and there are a lot of bad things. Matt's mission actually includes Juarez, where the drug lords have rampaged and thrived on the fear of others. I was sitting in Sunday School last Sunday and I heard a scripture that really stuck in my heart. Joshua 1:9 ....Be Strong and of a Good Courage,be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest. This is my new theme. I know that I need to be strong, and so will Matt. The Lord will bless him and protect him while he is there doing his work. This is an opportunity that will bless his life and the lives he touches while he is there.
Life is good. It really is a great blessing to have Matt so willing and excited about going. May the Lord Bless Him.
