I woke up this morning feeling very calm and
peaceful! It was obviously a melancholy
day, but every time I got sad, I felt a peace and calm come into my heart and
mind! We got up right at 2:30 and got
ready. Bill fixed German pancakes for
Brooke with strawberries on top—one of her favorites! We left about 3:20 for the airport and it was
so nice and cool outside—about 74 or so!
We had a nice drive to the airport and Bill dropped us off so we could
hop in line. I’m glad he did because the
line was long and getting longer by the second!
He parked the car in short term parking and was in line with us in about
5 minutes! We laughed as we saw 3 elders
walk in and get in line with their families!
They all looked nervous and Katelyn was picking them out as they walked
in. We found out that 2 of them are
going to Australia—Melbourne and Sydney.
The other one is going to Trinidad.
The one going to Sydney REALLY looked nervous and Brooke cracked a joke
by saying, "That's hardcore!”—meaning you couldn’t miss him if you tried. We all laughed so hard and tried to keep it light as
we laughed and talked waiting in that line!
I actually enjoyed the experience, where I really didn’t with
Megan. It didn’t get hard until we went
up the escalator and realized that it was time for Brooke to go through
security with all those people downstairs that would eventually come up and get
in that line! We said good-byes and cried…
I hugged Brooke twice! Then we videoed
and watched her all the way through security until we absolutely couldn’t see
her anymore! She turned around and
looked up and smiled and waved back at us—still a little teary! We were all still a little teary too! I realized that this was exactly below where
we met Megan when she came HOME from her mission. She flew Delta too and it was the exact same
place, only down a floor. I thought of
our sweet reunion that we would have, just like with Megan, in 18 “short”
months! J The drive home was very somber and quiet… not
much was said other than an occasional comment about what a great missionary
Brooke will be. I’ve tried to keep busy
today… but quickly realized that just because the day was going well, didn’t
mean that I wouldn’t break down and cry a few times! I did, but I tried to think of all the people
that she would teach and affect each time I did, and that helped me! It was only 5:30am when we got back home, so
I changed and went on my run… which always helps me to process things! I love my morning runs and it was such a
beautiful morning! I felt Heavenly
Father’s love and comfort as I was running and out in His beautiful
creation! I kept looking up at the sky
to see if any airplanes were passing by as she was scheduled to fly out at 6:05,
but I didn’t see any. We downloaded the
Delta app where we tracked her flight and it left on time and got to Salt Lake
on time! That was comforting to know. Then at 11:48am I got an email from Brooke
that she’d arrived at the MTC and all was well!
I got a huge smile on my face and was so glad to get that quick
message. I don’t think Megan emailed the
first day. I was very grateful! She let us know that she was all checked in
and ready to go! Her P-days will be on
Tuesdays and she sent her love! Then I
cried again after I washed her bedding and made her bed! I saw her phone and made the mistake of
picking it up and looking at her last text to me requesting me to send
birthdays of all our family members and extended family! (It was sent at 3:15 this morning!) I thought it was sweet that that was the last
thing that was on her mind as she left this morning! What a sweet, good, worthy young soul! On my run, I thought about how most 19 year
old girls are NOT living the kind of life Brooke is and how blessed and lucky I
am to be her mom and get to see not only how good she is now, but the growth
she will experience as she goes through her mission experience! It also helped as I went to mom’s house after
walking the dogs this morning to talk about Brooke and her goodness! I’ve gotten a couple of sweet texts today, as
well—one from Camille Hart and one from Deana Holdsworth. These are little things, but so comforting as
it has been a hard and tender day for me!
As I’m writing this 2 more people have texted me—Kristen Maskovich and
Alyssa Muller! Sweet, thoughtful
women—who UNDERSTAND!! Later, I received a text from sweet Kristine Higbee, who has never sent out a missionary, but knows the impact a missionary can have first hand, as she is a convert! Also when we got
home from the airport this morning there were notes on all of our pillows from
Brooke! Yes… I cried then too! That little stinker! Kristen Maskovich pointed out that it’s hard
because we have good kids and we like being their mom! I like that!
J Gotta go find things to do! It has been VERY therapeutic for me to write
in my journal today!
Here's Brooke's email from the MTC:
Here's Brooke's email from the MTC:
I made it to the MTC!!! I am
all checked in and ready to go! Just so you know, my P-day will be on Tuesdays!
I love you guys! Send my love to the family :)
Love, Sister Freeman
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