Saying Farewell

 It was a rough day yesterday! We stayed up most of the night, talking and packing; but mostly talking about missions, home, family, and anything else that would distract us from the 9:35 a.m. scheduled departure. After she was finally packed, we loaded the car and took off for the Salt Lake City International Airport.

For those who don't know us, we're the Brousseau Family. Our daughter, Maddie was called to serve a full-time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, aka the Mormon Church. She will serve at her own cost for a period of 18 months in the Scotland/Ireland mission. During this 18 month period she will spend most of her time teaching people about our beliefs and will invite all she meets to follow the example of Jesus Christ. She will also spend significant time offering service to those in need, regardless of their faith.

As you can imagine, the airport scene was emotional and tear-stained. We have a friend who accurately described sending a child on a mission as, "miserable joy." It is the best and worst moment you can experience as a parent because your instincts tell you to hold on tight and not to let them leave, but your own experiences and wisdom tell you that this is the best possible experience they can have at this juncture in their young lives.

Our own mission experience is something we have reflected on almost daily for the 25 years since our return home. The lessons learned, the experience gained, and the relationships formed have blessed our life ever since.

Here is part of Maddie's first email from the England Missionary Training Center in Preston, England:

"Hey Mom and Dad!

But I just wanted to email and say that I made it here safely and it is BEAUTIFUL! We'll get to walk around the grounds soon and I'm so excited, it's so pretty! 

Also! I just met with one of the MTC presidency and he told me that he can tell I'm super friendly and that I need to make sure that the elders in my district are being good and focused. He said that I'll need to use all of my assistant manager skills to help them. 

And! He said that I make him happy! So that means that some people will want to get baptized just because I ask them to, so I need to make sure I'm a mirror for Christ and let my testimony shine so that they will be baptized for the right reasons! 

So anyways, I'm safe and so happy! Also, funny story, they spelled my name on my tags, so I have to wear the misspelled one! I love you all! (Tell the others!)

Love, SISTER!!!!!!!! :):):) Brousseau"