As I've never blogged before, I'm not exactly sure what to do :-)
My idea for this is a place for Elder Kevin Routledge's friends and family to keep in touch with him as he serves in the Ventura, California mission for the next 2 years for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
It's been quite a ride, getting to this point. Elder Routledge and I (his mom) joined this church 6 years ago (when he was a little 12 year old) and I was 6 years younger :-)
Kevin decided from the very beginning that he would serve a mission just like his missionary, Elder Nixon.
Fast forward to 2014 and suddenly the idea of Kevin serving a mission became VERY real. In April or May we were approached by our Bishop and advised that Kevin needed to start working on his missionary papers and get them submitted as soon as possible. After some hard work, Kevin was ready to submit his papers in July or August.
On September 10, 2014, we received THE CALL !! It was an exciting evening with Kevin's family and closest friends surrounding him as he opened the envelope !!
Elder Kevin Routledge was called to the Ventura, California mission reporting to the Provo MTC on January 14, 2015 !!
The last couple months have been a whirlwind of activity! We've been to Utah to visit with "our" missionary, done LOTS of shopping (ties, white shirts, shoes, journals, ties, suitcases, dress pants...did I mention ties ??), many nights of crying (me, not kevin), visited not ONE but THREE Temples and received more support than we could ever have imagined.
Kevin has been so excited about leaving on his mission and I didn't think his smile could get any bigger.
Until this last weekend.
Kevin had the opportunity to baptize his dad in front of a "small" gathering of friends and family. It was one of the most spiritual and emotional experiences of my life and I'm quite certain Kevin felt the same way.
We are now down to the last week before my sweet boy leaves. It's going to be tough letting him go and I'm not sure that I'm out of tears just yet, but there is no place on earth I would rather he be. I am so proud of him and the decisions he has made to be worthy to serve a mission.
Good Luck Elder Routledge. I love you.
excellent, looking forward to hearing about his mission and the blessings that come to you and your family!!
ReplyDelete