After finishing his first year at BYU-I and coming home in mid-April, our Bishop (Mike Burns) and Stake President (Zack Smith) said that Ryan broke records for getting his papers turned in for his mission. But of course their help had a lot to do with that.
After anxiously awaiting that packet (and getting reports from our diligent Bishop Burns!) for a couple of weeks. It finally arrived on Saturday, May 3. I thought it was a terribly appropriate tribute to Ryan's sweet and doting Great-Grandma Martha-- it should have been her 85th birthday.
Our family had spent the morning walking a few laps in the 2nd Annual Parkinson's Walk in honor of our dear neighbor (his wife is a founder of the walk). Of course Ryan had to check the mail as soon as we got home . . . and IT had come at last!
Then after more than an hour of attempting to get Grandma Miller in Florida, Great-Grandpa Ronald in Illinois on the phone we gave in and Ryan opened his call. His friend Justin Mann (newly called to New Jersey on his mission) was in attendance. Bishop Burns was there via the phone. And of course Ryan's brothers, Reece and Remington, and Dad and I were all gathered to hear the news.
As you can see from the photo Ryan covered the letter and slowly read down one line at a time. And as you can see from the big grin on his face he has been nothing but excited from moment-one.
His Dad and I on the other hand were a bit shocked at the proximity to family. Florida hits a bit close to home with Scott's Mom and brothers and family living there. Orlando is their Temple district! (Actually Birmingham is now closer, though!) But Florida is certainly one of my favorite places on Earth. The Florida panhandle is where Scott came "home" to after his mission. Where he proposed to me. Where we used to vacation with the boys each summer. Lots of wonderful memories. Now another wonderful association to add to the long list! (Helps to counteract the hurricanes and alligator nightmares. LOL)
Ryan had to read everyone the particulars several times before it all sunk in where and when he was going! As his mother it all just seemed surreal. I kept having flashbacks to my sweet, little curly-haired baby. What happened? (As soon as he's gone I'm posting some baby pics.)
Anyway, the rest of the day was a blurr of phone calls. Finally reached both grandparents and Ryan had a lot of fun phoning and texting all his friends.
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