And He's Off...
We dropped Ted off at the airport this morning at 6 am. We woke up very early, and we all got ready, Ted was looking sharp in his suit. We went to Dunkun Donuts first, got there right as they opened. Having some comfort food on the drive to the airport was probably good for our heavy spirits, though perhaps not a healthy food choice for our bodies. We drove pretty quietly listening to uplifting "missionary music."
Charlie began to have "aches in his heart" and to weep over his brothers impending departure. These kinds of outbursts of mourning began to happen a few weeks ago (even months ago), but this morning he was very anxious as we drove to the airport. I was trying to encourage him to hold his tears back and "save them for when we have to say goodbye," but as we walked through the airport Charlie was very anxious trying to anticipate where we would part with Ted. Every minute he was expecting the separation to be immediate, only to realize it wasn't the exact moment yet. This added to his agitation.
We weren't able to go to the gate with Ted and so we parted just outside security. There were a few tears, but we made it a quick goodbye, and then Ted walked off. Kevin asked if I wanted to stand there and watch him till he was through security, but I couldn't handle it, and so I turned away and started walking. I was holding a weeping Charlie up and fighting hard not to fall apart myself. Kevin lingered awhile and then caught up with us.
The walk back to the car seemed long. It was quiet, except for some crying... and a few outbursts from Charlie, who was a mess... I wondered what some must have thought watching us walk all weepy like that through the terminal. Charlie kept saying that his body hurt and grabbing his chest, later in the car her said it felt like there was a hole in his heart. He kept giving words and tears to all of our feelings, making it much harder for me to keep it together.
Truly, we all understand that Ted is following the Lord in accepting and embarking upon this mission. We know that this is a good thing for him, that it is the right thing to do, but knowing we won't see each other again until he's nearly 21 years old is very tough. These last few days as I have thought, this is our last... this is his last... and then last night as we had family prayer and I thought, "this is our last family prayer in two years," the magnitude of the sacrifice hit me like a ton of bricks.
We are all going to miss Ted very much, the holes in our hearts right now will not be easily filled, but I have faith that God will carry us on the wings of his spirit and that he will give us strength to go forward cheerfully. I believe that Ted is walking with Christ as he accepts this call to serve. As a missionary he will work to bring his fellow men to a deeper knowledge of their Lord and Savior and thereby a greater lasting happiness. For this it is worth the sacrifice.
These words from a favorite song do more to express my prayer and hope for my son as he sets out to serve as a missionary for Christ:
In the Hollow of thy Hand
Dear Lord who blesses us with love
Please send this day thy spirit from above
As this thy son, accepts a call from thee
Help him we pray to learn humility
Direct his footsteps everyday
And keep him ever walking in thy ways
Inspire him as he spreads the gospel plan
Lord, hold him in the hollow of thy hand
Chorus:
In the hollow of thy hand as he grows from boy to man
Help his understanding deepen and increase
In the hollow of thy hand as he grows from boy to man
Let him know the special blessing of thy peace
Dear Lord, who hears and answers prayers
Please keep thy servant always in thy care
As he prepares to teach his fellow men
Oh keep him safe and bring him home again
Protect him from all worldly ways
And always send thy spirit when he prays
Give him the courage of a righteous man
Just hold him in the hollow of thy hand
Chorus:
In the hollow of thy hand as he grows from boy to man
Help his understanding deepen and increase
In the hollow of thy hand as he grows from boy to man
Let him know the special blessing of thy peace
As he faces life's demands
May he take a valiant stand
Give him shelter in the hollow of thy hand
Charlie began to have "aches in his heart" and to weep over his brothers impending departure. These kinds of outbursts of mourning began to happen a few weeks ago (even months ago), but this morning he was very anxious as we drove to the airport. I was trying to encourage him to hold his tears back and "save them for when we have to say goodbye," but as we walked through the airport Charlie was very anxious trying to anticipate where we would part with Ted. Every minute he was expecting the separation to be immediate, only to realize it wasn't the exact moment yet. This added to his agitation.
We weren't able to go to the gate with Ted and so we parted just outside security. There were a few tears, but we made it a quick goodbye, and then Ted walked off. Kevin asked if I wanted to stand there and watch him till he was through security, but I couldn't handle it, and so I turned away and started walking. I was holding a weeping Charlie up and fighting hard not to fall apart myself. Kevin lingered awhile and then caught up with us.
The walk back to the car seemed long. It was quiet, except for some crying... and a few outbursts from Charlie, who was a mess... I wondered what some must have thought watching us walk all weepy like that through the terminal. Charlie kept saying that his body hurt and grabbing his chest, later in the car her said it felt like there was a hole in his heart. He kept giving words and tears to all of our feelings, making it much harder for me to keep it together.
Truly, we all understand that Ted is following the Lord in accepting and embarking upon this mission. We know that this is a good thing for him, that it is the right thing to do, but knowing we won't see each other again until he's nearly 21 years old is very tough. These last few days as I have thought, this is our last... this is his last... and then last night as we had family prayer and I thought, "this is our last family prayer in two years," the magnitude of the sacrifice hit me like a ton of bricks.
We are all going to miss Ted very much, the holes in our hearts right now will not be easily filled, but I have faith that God will carry us on the wings of his spirit and that he will give us strength to go forward cheerfully. I believe that Ted is walking with Christ as he accepts this call to serve. As a missionary he will work to bring his fellow men to a deeper knowledge of their Lord and Savior and thereby a greater lasting happiness. For this it is worth the sacrifice.
These words from a favorite song do more to express my prayer and hope for my son as he sets out to serve as a missionary for Christ:
In the Hollow of thy Hand
Dear Lord who blesses us with love
Please send this day thy spirit from above
As this thy son, accepts a call from thee
Help him we pray to learn humility
Direct his footsteps everyday
And keep him ever walking in thy ways
Inspire him as he spreads the gospel plan
Lord, hold him in the hollow of thy hand
Chorus:
In the hollow of thy hand as he grows from boy to man
Help his understanding deepen and increase
In the hollow of thy hand as he grows from boy to man
Let him know the special blessing of thy peace
Dear Lord, who hears and answers prayers
Please keep thy servant always in thy care
As he prepares to teach his fellow men
Oh keep him safe and bring him home again
Protect him from all worldly ways
And always send thy spirit when he prays
Give him the courage of a righteous man
Just hold him in the hollow of thy hand
Chorus:
In the hollow of thy hand as he grows from boy to man
Help his understanding deepen and increase
In the hollow of thy hand as he grows from boy to man
Let him know the special blessing of thy peace
As he faces life's demands
May he take a valiant stand
Give him shelter in the hollow of thy hand
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