Missionaries and Missions....

come in all different shapes and sizes!

I think I have mentioned that Jena wanted to serve a mission when she turned 19.  Many people in her situation don't serve until after they finish school which happens in Utah sometime around age 22. Jena was firm.  She wanted to go when she was 19.  After some praying and thinking and praying on our side, we decided that was the right thing so we began working with her to get her papers put together and submitted.  We had a bit of a delay because of the ward change so our new Bishop had to meet with her and we had to redo some of the paperwork with the new information but it still went fairly smooth.

the picture submitted with her application

The call for a young Church Service Missionaries comes from the Church headquarters through the Stake president.  The Stake President actually serves as her direct mission president although there are also 3 couples called in our region who serve as her group leaders and lead month mission activities for all of the Young Church Service Missionaries in the area.  Friday afternoon he called to say that he had her call in hand and was going to put it in our mail box so that she could get it out of the mailbox herself.  (Can't find the pictures of her getting it out of the mail box!)

We ran around like crazy people to invite the people Jena wanted to be there to share this special moment with her.  We didn't get everyone but it was fun to share it with people who love Jena and who she loves back.

She was called to serve as a young Church Service missionary at the Layton Deseret Industries on Wednesdays starting Oct. 14th and at the Church History Museum on Tuesdays on November 3.  We weren't expecting her to start until November but she is ready to go!

Jena with her call

with Emily Elhen

Fish lips with Brandon Dickson, one of her life long friends

Bishop and Kari Hatch, new Bishop

(Old) Bishop (and home teacher), Tami, Jared Slater

with Grandma Hall

Elessia, Jessica, Liam and Jena

Scarlett and Chantel (Scott was at work)

We faced timed with Tosha and Austen later that night to share the news with them. Then posted the news on Facebook, text and other ways to the rest of the world.

Bishop and Jolie Watson

Meggan, Gregg and Kristy Sparrow

Exciting day (and yes, I did cry a bit!)