Emerson's farewell part 2.

The day before Emerson left, we spent a good chunk of the morning getting all of his bags packed.
We made sure we had everything on the list and spent quite some time writing his name on his things.
It's quite the process getting a missionary all set to go!

Later that night, we headed to the stake center for him to get set apart.

The spirit was so strong.

One of the things our Stake President said that really touched me was that he believes that there are angels (family members/friends) from the other side that are completely invested in being there for us and guiding our every step. And that Emerson would never ever be alone.

I loved this because I felt like I could definitely apply this to my own life because there have been times  where I have definitely felt angels lifting me up and giving me the strength to move forward.

It's very comforting to know that we are never alone. 

After he was ordained, we went to Cafe Rio for dinner and then enjoyed a nice chocolate malt shake while watching The Best Two Years.

Poor Elder Farr...he didn't make it through the movie.

Wednesday February 24th came much to quickly.

We woke up and had a yummy breakfast of buttermilk pancakes, buttermilk syrup, and berry sauce. (Thanks Mickelsons for the recipe!)

We spent some time talking together and then headed to Provo.

Here's my cute brother walking out of our house for the last time for two years.

As you can tell he is a bit emotional.

I want to share a little part of an email we got from Winston just two days before Emerson left.

I know it was a huge comfort to him and definitely a huge comfort to me and the rest of my family.

"When we got to the MTC and we were saying our good byes, I wasn't crying. It was super hard and I remember the other Elder helping me with my bags. He was trying to talk to me and that was the last thing I wanted to do right then. Right when I walked in the doors it hit me, the most overwhelming feeling of loneliness and I already felt so far away from the family. I just broke down crying, I could not hold it in. I still cry when I remember the feelings I felt at that time. I said a quick prayer to myself pleading with Heavenly Father to give me strength and comfort. Almost immediately after, I stopped crying. I felt an overwhelming feeling of love and peace. I knew I was going to be okay and that I was an ordained representative of the Lord Jesus Christ. That was the last time I felt like that through out my whole mission. I promise you man that the Lord will take care of you. You don't need to be scared or worried."

Saying goodbye to his good ol suburban.

(Who most likely won't be here when he gets home.)

Us at the Provo temple.

Olivia loves her uncle "ah ah shas" so much.

And definitely will miss him.

She walks around saying, " ba bye ya ah ah shas, see twooo ears (years)." 

Don't you think they kind of look alike?

I've had a lot of people tell me that they think that she looks just like him!

And I'm not going to lie I definitely see a resemblance.

As we pulled in to the MTC and saw literally hundreds of missionaries lined up to greet all the new missionaries that day, I felt the most overwhelming feeling of gratitude for each and every missionary and their sacrifice. And for their families and their support. I felt so honored to be a member of this church and to have two of my own brothers worthily dedicating two years of their lives to sharing the gospel. 

I'm one blessed girl.

And as hard as it was to hug Emerson and watch him walk off knowing that for two years I wouldn't see him. I felt comforted in knowing that he was going where he needed to go and doing exactly what Heavenly Father wanted him to be doing.

I also want to share a little tender mercy we experienced at the MTC.
As we pulled in to the MTC,  all of the sudden Emerson frantically rolls down his window and screams out "Caleb" (A boy in our home ward that Emerson has pretty much grown up with.) Caleb yelled back,  "drive to #14 and I'll take you in!" Well right after he said this, another man said, " no no you have to go where they tell you to and pull all the way forward." So we kept driving and next thing you know we find ourselves being directed right to #14 . Out of seriously 100 numbers we end up right at 14. So we pull in and Caleb comes running down. Emerson gives all of us hugs and of course is crying. But as we watched him walk off we couldn't help but notice him laughing and smiling. We know with out a doubt that that was no coincidence and that Emerson was definitely being watched over. I think having someone he knew so well be there to help him say goodbye and begin a new chapter of his life was very comforting and made things a lot easier.

I'm sure that was just one of the many little miracles Emerson will experience these next two years.

We are going to miss this boy so much but could not be more proud of his decision to serve in Boston, Massachusetts for the next two years. 

They're definitely getting one special boy.

I love you Elder Farr and look forward to sharing these next two years with you!