Mission Call Arrives

The wait is finally over. After months of paperwork getting lost and blanks not completed we finally got everything together at the same time to submit the paperwork for Jason to go on his mission for the Church. He found out last weekend that the information from church headquarters was mailed last Friday and he has been on pins and needles all week anticipating its arrival. (I must admit that I too have been a little excited waiting for it.) The early part of the week was just a little nerve wracking but by Friday it was unbearable to wait for the mail. When it didn't come Friday he was really stressed. I told him that it was because we wanted to all be together when he opened the letter and that everyone was going to be in a different place on Friday night. Earl was in Little Rock for a doctor's appointment (just a check up) and then doing the family shopping. Jenny had to play in the band at the ballgame and I was scheduled to work in the concession stand. Jason was planning to go with me and Jack had decided to just stay at home. Like I said, everyone scattered.

Then, when Jason got home from work this afternoon and the mail had not arrived yet he was like a little child on Christmas morning waiting for everyone to wake up. He paced from the front of the house to the back and then to the front again waiting for the mail to arrive. Then, suddenly, I hear this blood curdling scream from the front, "It's here." He was just a little excited. We all gathered in the kitchen, Jason called his Aunt Lori on his cell phone and put her on speaker phone. Earl called his mom on the house phone and put her on speaker. I tried to get Dorothy and Uncle Roddy but neither were in a position to answer their phones. Before opening the envelope everyone made a guess as to where he might be going. We were all over the map. Then he opens the letter and starts to read. His eyes scan down the page and he bursts out with a loud laugh and announces that someone is going to be very excited. He has been called to the Nevada, Los Vegas Spanish speaking mission. This is ironic because his paternal grandmother lives in Phurmph which is about an hour from Vegas. We are all stunned and excited at the same time.

We have a lot of preparations to take care of in very little time. He goes into the Mission Training Center on 17 December 2008 and that only gives us two months to get everything pulled together and ready. Christmas will come a little early to the Bowen family this year. But we wouldn't change any of it because we know this is what the Lord wants him to do and we are thrilled that he is able to go. It has been a dream of his parents since his birth and a dream of his for a very long time. We look forward to sharing all the exciting times ahead with each of you.