And So It Begins...

It's hard to believe we have a child old enough to be a missionary, but yep...we sure do.  It has been a busy and exciting few months as we've packed and prepped, and all of it wonderful.  I promised Carina that I'd keep up a blog to share news as she passed it along to us, so that family and friends could get a peek into her life as a missionary and see how she's doing.  So here it is - enjoy!

In October 2012, the church announced an age change for missionaries.  This was HUGE!  The age was 19 for young men and 21 for young women; now it's 18 for young men and 19 for young women.  Serving a mission is something Carina wanted to do...she prayed about it and received multiple strong answers that this is where God wanted her at this time in her life.  So she acted on those feelings and made her own choice.  It has been awesome to watch her grow through this experience.  She is a beautiful, strong, capable young woman with a strong testimony of her Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.  And most importantly, she's ready to share it.  She has been called to serve in the Everett, Washington mission, and she reported to the MTC in Provo, Utah (Missionary Training Center) on Wed., August 14th, 2013, at 2:15pm. 

The Sunday before she left - August 11th, her last Sunday in Texas - she gave a "Farewell" talk in church and it was beautiful.  The chapel was packed and so was the overflow seating into the gym.  We felt truly blessed to have so many family and friends here to support her and share this special day.  I felt it fitting to add the pic below of Carina holding her baby sister, Brittan, as August 11th is also Brit's birthday.  She graciously shared her birthday with her big sis' day!

 Here are just a few of our best friends who came to Carina's farewell at church.

My younger brother, Randy, called a few days before the farewell to say that he'd worked it out to come to Texas!  And an even bigger surprise was that he brought my dad, Carina's grandpa with him.  We knew, but she didn't, so it was fun seeing the look on her face when my dad walked into our house on Saturday. 

 My dad is 6'6", but don't let that fool you - he's a giant teddy bear with the biggest heart.

 This is probably my new favorite picture...grandpa's tender moment and Carina's face filled with genuine joy and happiness.  She's just beautiful (and check the outfit...adorable, people!).  Carina is the oldest grandchild on the Palmer side, and also the first grandchild to serve a mission, so it was even more awesome having her grandpa there.

 

Monday morning was a little tough at the airport.  Goodbyes are never easy, and even harder for a dad who loves his daughter fiercely. 

I was blessed to have a few days with Carina in Utah before dropping her off on Wednesday.  She reported at 2:15pm on Aug. 14th.  I'm so proud of this beautiful girl!