March 12, 2008:
after 5:30
Which is the time we told everybody to be here for the opening of the CALL. So five-thirty came – and so did Luke and Mirium, two of M’s best friends. But where was the M, himself? Five thirty five: CR is here, home from work. Luke is still wearing his choir tux. CM and LR have rolled in, and G has sent his studio session home. We’re all here.
And finally comes M. He’s beaming like the sun. He sits on the couch, waiting for everybody to connect (cell phone) with other important people – Corinne up in Idaho, our Gin, out in the mid-west.
Then he holds the big envelope in his hands and begins to open it, the same way we always open Christmas presents: carefully, reverently—don’t rip the paper. But this is only an envelope, and we all lean in, willing him to get tough with it. Inch by inch, he lifts the flap. And then carefully slides out the letter packet. And begins to read.
He holds my next two years’ fate in my hands.
“Dear Brother,” he reads. Then, “June 18th.” And then, finally, “Buenos Aires , Argentina, South mission,” and the entire room erupts in cheers.
I finally know where one full fourth of my heart will be for the next two years.
And since then, the information has streamed in—pictures of Argentina, shining praise from Argentinean returned missionaries. And I ascertain that the place is four hours ahead of us, which somehow helps me orient myself. And our friend, Camilla’s joy, connecting our M with South America, her own beloved home.
I know I should sound delighted. And in very real ways, I am. To have such sons and daughters—how could I not be delighted?
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