Preperations and priceless memories

May 6, 2011...2 more months.  Seems like time is flying by!  We are in the excitement phase of the mission call. It has been fun to hear stories of other missionaries that have served in the Philippines.  Our uncle Jim Passey actually served in the same mission that Kolton is going to.  We are excited to spend time with him and hear stories from his mission.

We were given advice last year from a neighbor to get Kolton his shots before he turned 18.  What a blessing!  The only shot he needs to get is Typhoid.  That has really made things easier.  I can't imagine trying to get him shots with him living so far away in a super small town. 

Getting the passport and visa taken care of has been a little tricky with Kolton living out of state.  We got the passport paperwork done and the first visa applications done while he was home for spring break.   The Church asks that you expedite the passport so their are no delays leaving the MTC on time. ($175 later) OUCH!  It did show up in 2 weeks!!  Then we were faced with the signature dilemma.  Do we send the passport Fed-ex so he can sign it and send it to the Church or do we wait a few weeks for Kelly to go over to his Track Meet? We decided to wait and have Kelly take it over because we needed the 2nd visa application signed and notarized.  I made arrangements with a friend to help Kelly and Kolton find a notary public in Boise.  Everything was falling into place and papers will be on the way.
Sunday night I was getting all the paperwork together.  Part of the paperwork is sending a copy of the passport along with the passport. After examining the copy of the passport I realize Kolton did not sign it.  UUGHHH!  I ended up sending the passport Fed-ex to him anyway  ($26) ...I guess I should have sent a checklist with Kelly.  Visa (CHECK) Passprt signed (UNCHECK).

I can now say the last of the paperwork is officially done!!!  Now on to spending lots of money!

mission call

Elder Williams is called to serve...

We have been told by many people that mission calls come on Thursdays.  We all have been a little bummed that it didn't come last Thursday.  Today I decided to check the mail anyway and got the letter addressed to

Elder Kolton Williams.

He will be serving in the Philippines Angeles Mission.  He enters the MTC on July 6th.  

Anxiously awaiting

For everyone who is on the edge of their seats.......no mission call today.  I am feeling a little disappointed.  Guess we will check again next Thursday. 

While at Kelsie's track meet we talked to one of the fathers who is a postman.  He said they ALWAYS come on Thursday.  

Feeling lucky about next Thursday.

The mail check!

Checked the mail Friday before we headed to Boise to see Kolton, NO PAPERS!  I actually was not surprised.  I checked again today to see if they had come, and again no papers.  I keep hearing THURSDAYS are the day to receive them.  Maybe by this Thursday....we are heading back to Oregon to pick Kolton up for spring break.  Trying to patiently wait. 

It's Official!

When you have a little boy you know the day will come that he either chooses to serve a mission or explore other avenues. When you bring that tiny baby boy home from the hospital a mission is so far away. 

We have now reached that day and I am filled with bittersweet emotions.  Papers go in today and now we play the waiting game...