He Has Arrived

So Drake has been out just over a month. He left the MTC at the end of October and was assigned to serve in the downtown Tacoma area of Hilltop. Once he was out in the field, I did some searching and found a mission blog that the mission president's wife posts pictures to. That was a treat since she posted a bunch of his arrival and new missionary training. (I may or may not check the blog a little obsessively in hopes of catching a glimpse of my kid.)

In the picture above, Drake is sitting with his companion, Elder White from the MTC. We didn't hear a whole lot about him, but Drake says they are getting along just fine.

In looking back at the archives on the blog, you can see that they introduce each missionary to their companions one at a time and snap a photo as they greet each other. Many of the greetings were very enthusiastic, and I literally laughed out loud that they captured Drake so perfectly as he met his companion for the first time.

 

His trainer's name is Elder Larson, and Drake got a real kick out of that. In one of his letters he made the comment that the Larsons and the Martins just can't be separated. I think it was a little thing that gave him a real boost. He was also able to see Elder Johnson, another Elder from Page serving in the same mission as Drake. He thought that was pretty awesome.

For now, we get to hear from Drake every Tuesday. The normal P-day is on Monday, but the library where they go to email is closed on Monday. So, Tuesday is the day that I anxiously check my email about 50 times a day. His letters are better than I hoped for. He is getting settled in, and he is learning a lot about what it really means to be a missionary. I am so proud of him!

Elder Drake Martin with President and Sister Blatter

Letting Go

One of the hardest things I think you have to do as a parent is let go.

For 18 years Theo and I have worked hard to ensure our children would one day become capable of taking care of themselves, that they would be able to go out into the world and be contributing members of society. Well, I guess that time has come. Drake is ready to take off the proverbial training wheels and go out into the missionary field. My mama's heart has been very tender this entire year as we have drawn closer to this moment. I am so proud of Drake and his decision to serve.

We drove up to Salt Lake and stayed at Grandma and Grandpa Ross' house on Tuesday night. Drake was supposed to go to the MTC around 1:00. We took our time getting ready in the morning and then we departed for Provo to drop off our son. Many people had advised us that when you arrive at the MTC, there is no dilly dallying. You drop them at the curb, hug, and say goodbye. That is it. Knowing this, we went across the street to the Provo temple first to walk around for a few minutes and to take a couple of pictures. The nervous excitement was palpable. I couldn't look around too much at the other families that were in tears with their missionaries. At about 15 minutes before the time he was supposed to arrive, Drake declared he was ready to go.

We drove across the street and into the continuously moving line of cars of families doing the same thing we were. I managed to hug him one last time and express my love before he hugged his dad and began wheeling away with his escort and his suitcases. It was all I could do to get into the car before the ugly tears started. Drake didn't look back, but walked with confidence and determination to begin his missionary service.

Don't get me wrong, I am so happy Drake is doing this! I am so proud! I wouldn't want him to be doing anything different. I will just miss him a bunch.

And so, it is time to let go.