Dallin & Des Moines: February 2012

You have been called to serve in the Des Moines, Iowa mission! Dallin got his call just before Christmas 2011. He has been preparing and getting ready his whole life and now here we go! We are all so incredibly proud of him and his choice to serve the Lord for 2 years. He was set apart by President Griffin Monday night (Feb 13th) and it was beautiful. The stake president had the perfect words for him to hear and calmed some worries Dallin had going on. The best part was watching Dad get up at 4 am African time and be in his shirt and tie ready and waiting to be a part of it. I know Dallin was in awe and got a little misty. What a good example we have as kids of Shell and Bruce. The next day we ( Me, Cade, Mom and Dad via skype) took Dallin to the airport yesterday after making breakfast and finalizing his bags. He was in good spirits and so ready. We watched him go through security crying and blubbering and waved bye. He headed to Utah to see both sets of grandparents and Chels and her family-including new little baby Norah. They dropped him off at the MTC just a few hours ago and we said our goodbyes on the phone. Mom and I both concur that it is more sweet than bitter, this is what we've wanted for 19 years, right? Dad has been calling non-stop trying his best to be here via skype. Non stop is an understatement:) It's been cute to watch. My mom loved the story a friend told her, she said that when her boy left that she cried all the way home from the airport, but then made herself feel better when she found herself quickly thinking how " that little bugger better not come home. I'm sad, but he needs to be there." So funny and so true.
Here's to you Dal, WE LOVE YOU!
WE ARE SO PROUD.

Here are some pics from the weeks leading up to today: