Sometime today, my Ben’s darling face will flash up on a computer screen at church headquarters and a small committee will search for inspiration on where to send him for the next two years. You can read about the process here or listen to it while you do the dishes here.
I know of no other religion where missionaries not only pay their own way, but go whereever they are sent. We Mormons are such funny people.
Take a dart, throw it at a map of the world (if you hit an ocean, scoot to the nearest bit of land) Ben could go ANYWHERE. And I’m not sure if I’m more worried about him going somewhere far-flung and dangerous like Pakistan or just a little too close to home like Boise, Idaho.
Whereever it is, I know it will be the right place. I’m not sure if I had that faith a month ago. But today I feel calm and peaceful.
And next Wednesday the call will arrive in our mailbox. I’ve already learned a few tricks– if the postage is more than a dollar we know it’s a foreign mission– and I’m sure we’ll be pacing the doorstep until Ben drives home from BYU to open it himself. Come over if you like, we’ll have pumpkin cookies and cider.
So take a guess, where do you think Ben will go? My only hint is that both Erik and his dad went to Helsinki, Finland. And if you read or listen to the talk on how they call missionaries I’d love to hear your thoughts on that (especially if you are one of my not-so-LDS friends). Do we Mormons seem crazy to you? Quitting jobs, delaying college, leaving girlfriends, spending masses of money for a two-year stint of preaching and service?
Shelah
India!
Claudia
Definitely somewhere in Europe. I can’t believe this time is already here! SO EXCITING!
Wherever it is, he’ll be amazing. No doubt about it!
Annie
So exciting and nerve-wracking and bittersweet at the same time!
England.
Or Sweden.
Or Hungary.
Jeanelle
I have three guesses: Denmark, Ukraine or Mongolia. Love the tip about the postage.
house of 7
Australia!
I am LDS, and sometimes think we are crazy… BUT, can you imagine your boys (and/or girls) doing anything else? What an exciting time for him and your family!
Janessa
I’m sure it will be something in Europe although I’m not sure where exactly. I know from my many friends who are currently serving their missions that every one of those callings is correct for them so I’m sure he will be incredible! From reading the talk by Elder Rasband, nothing seemed out of the ordinary in regards to serving a mission for two years. I was surprised to learn that his daughter’s name is Jenessa.
Small world. 🙂
Diane
The postage is not always a giveaway. Our son’s call to Dallas was an enormous packet. But that was a few years ago, so things might be different now.
It’s an exciting time!
Sharlee
Oh, what a time! My heart is with you, Michelle.
Let’s see . . . I’m going to make a wild guess and say . . . FINLAND!
My Lucky Day
Not leaving the continent!
Lisa
What an exciting time for your family. Yes we are a crazy bunch, but a good crazy I believe! My guess is Finland for sure but Boise would be fine too! Can’t wait to hear.
Tasha
Russia or somewhere in Eastern Europe! It’s becoming the new Brazil, which is AWESOME!
My sweetheart has been serving in Ukraine for 16 months now, and having him leave was one of the hardest things I’ve ever been through – very, very crazy. But the growth and strength that have come from his service have been more than worth it. It’s been one of the biggest blessings of our lives.
Even though He asks us to do some crazy things, God is absolutely amazing.
Michelle
Belfast, Ireland
veronica
Yeah, the postage tip doesn’t always work. We’d heard that too, and Thatcher’s postage was high so we thought he’d be going somewhere far away. But he got called to New Mexico.
I saw Ben and Mary on campus yesterday! So excited to hear where he goes!
Christie
How awesome would St. Louis Missouri be? I’d so make sure he was fed well…
My guess is Denmark. Or Thailand. Maybe Chile.
Covering my bases, obviously. Can’t wait to find out!
ellen
Micronesia–and that’s my final answer.
Tracy
I will say Finland or Sweden…but will hope for Minnesota – the closest to Scandinavia you can get in the States..lol. I promise to bake him cookies and deliver lemonade. 😉
xoxo,t
Catherine
As a mom who has sent 4 of her 5 boys(#5 will be 19 in April and we’ll be anxiously awaiting a call then) to both far-flung places like Russian, Ukraine and Brazil, and also not-so-far places like San Diego, I can tell you that wherever he is sent, it will be just the right spot.
And as someone who lives in the Boise, Idaho mission, I can tell you that it’s an extra-special place where I’ve raise those 5 boys and their tail-end-bit-of-a-princess younger sister. 🙂
It’s an exciting day and my money’s on Finland. If I was a gambler….which I’m not….’cause I listened to Elder Oakes talk….and…yeah.
Sara Jane
I think the process described is really interesting. The statement that Elder Eyring made that he liked to think about where the missionary ended up made me think about where the missionary ends their mission as far as their spiritual and emotional development go. Maybe Elder Eyring meant the literal physical location and yet it made me think of my mission (stateside) and how I know it was the place for me to grow and develop.
I’m going with Texas.
Sweden is my guess if it’s foreign.
La Yen
If he gets called to Albuquerque, I will have him over for dinner.
But I think France or Mongolia. Or Madagascar. Or France.
Bonnie
There are a lot of votes for Finland, so I’m guessing it’s either that or somewhere in South America. I don’t know why. 🙂
dalene
Finland or England Leeds. Wouldn’t it totally rock if he and Zack were companions?
Kels
I’m going with Alaska.
Good luck! 🙂
Cath
The wait. Sigh…. You really are braving new territory here Michelle. I’m gonna be an outlier and say Asia somewhere. Maybe?
Selwyn
Maybe Finland, but Australia is ready and waiting!
Particularly the Brisbane Australia North English Speaking Mission… of course, the Melbourne Australia East Mandarin or Canonese Speaking Mission would be great too! Or the Adelaide Australia mission, which goes right up the middle of the entire continent!
For brevity: Australia!
Ken
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Linn
France or Belgium.
And yes, you Mormons are strange. 🙂 And I love it.
Tracy
Oh, and as one of your dear non-LDS friends, I do not think you are strange. Now, I do not want you knocking on my door with anything but an offer of a hug and friendship, but if you do I will always offer you kindness and refreshments.
Love you,
T.
andrea
Budapest. That’s my guess. It’s an exciting time…kudos to you mom!
Chelle
Germany.
Glazier5
How can it be…wasn’t it just yesterday we were sending our h.s./college buddies off? Wherever he goes, he will be amazing!
Mitchell Family
My guess is Boston. Lizzy said San Diego–“Where else could you hope to go?” Bill’s is Frankfort. No, not Germany, Kentucky.
michelle
Nebraska.
Can’t wait to hear.
Rachelle
As a non-mormon, yes, you seem crazy to me. Having said that… I find your committment to your faith wonderful. I’m sad that you will be apart from Ben for a long period of time. Ugh. I don’t like that. As a fellow mom… I’m weeping.
Tifani
I think the idea of the mission is one of the best things about your faith. Honestly, what a great thing to have young people stop at an age where most are so self-absorbed and ask them to dedicate all of themselves to giving. I wish all people could have a similar experience, even if it is not based in religion.
And I always talk to kids on mission. We seem to have them here all the time. I find it hard not to walk up to them in the store and engage them in conversation. I don’t want to scare the sweet kids.
Ben will be in Europe. I know it.
Melissa M
Oh, Michelle, I just went through this 4 weeks ago. The suspense just about killed me. But I did have a very peaceful feeling the day Shane’s call was issued–I just knew he was going where he was supposed to go, even though I had no idea where that would be. And I felt excited, joyous. Then we just had to wait another 6 days until his call arrived.
The day the call arrived was a thrilling day, and I’ve no doubt that yours will be, too. I’m not going to guess where Ben is going, because I found out with Shane that I am no good at predicting (Chicago had never even occurred to me)–but I know, as you do, that it will be the right place for Ben. I’ll be thinking of you this next week. Love you!
Melissa M
Oh, Michelle, I just went through this 4 weeks ago. The suspense just about killed me. But I did have a very peaceful feeling the day Shane’s call was issued–I just knew he was going where he was supposed to go, even though I had no idea where that would be. And I felt excited, joyous. Then we just had to wait another 6 days until his call arrived.
The day the call arrived was a thrilling day, and I’ve no doubt that yours will be, too. I’m not going to guess where Ben is going, because I found out with Shane that I am no good at predicting (Chicago had never even occurred to me)–but I know, as you do, that it will be the right place for Ben. I’ll be thinking of you this next week. Love you!
Travelin'Oma
I can’t wait to hear!