Friday, December 2: Happy Birthday to Jase today!! I love how Janika’s mission has a Facebook page with the mission president’s wife constantly posting pictures. We can also post pictures and I usually would for my missionary’s birthday sayingm “Wish this Sister/Elder a Happy Birthday today!” But Jase’s mission doesn’t have a FB page. I did text the one contact I have in his mission to let them know it was his birthday today (and one of his companion’s birthday today too!) I think she already knew and said that they were coming over for dinner the night before (last night) and that she would have a cake for them. So that is nice!
Since everyone got to bed late last night Rick had told all of the kids that they could sleep in and go late to school, but none of them wanted to – except for Jared – he was happy to miss his first class. The others didn’t want to miss any school – which means I had to get up early too. Jaiden had to leave at 6:40 a.m. to go to Student Council. I kept saying, “Now are you sure you want to go – you don’t have to!” But she wanted to. She said they were practicing in first period for her concert at the Dicken’s Festival that day. Josh wanted to go to his early morning choir practice too and Janelle didn’t want to miss any school. So much for sleeping in! Rick has prep period first period and was able to get someone to cover his second period in order to go to Janika’s release.
We went to the
Stake President’s house this morning at 9:00 for Janika to get released. The spirit was really strong and it was quite a somber and emotional experience
for Janika – and for us. He asked her about her mission and had her share some
experiences and told her that her mission was the MTC for the rest of her
life. He counseled her to continue with her scripture study (he said a
lot could be done in just 15 minutes a day) and prayer (especially in the
morning since most of us are in a hurry and forget morning prayers) and asked
her to set an attainable goal for how many times she could attend the temple in
the next 90 days. She goes back to school in 32 days and so some of that
will need to be done there (if she can find a ride – she doesn’t have a
car). He said that he could tell she was a great missionary and that she
carried the missionary spirit. She cried when she was released and when
he told her that she could remove her name badge and Rick and I were crying
too.
I took Janika to
the Dicken’s Festival to see Jaiden’s concert. Janika had the same choir
teacher when she was Jaiden’s age and so it was fun for her to say hello. Rick met us there too and then went straight to work afterwards. We did some
shopping and then I came home and took a nap!
Tonight we had a nice family dinner and then had Janika share experiences from her mission. She started going through her packed away clothes and Tori came over to help. I have a lot to do this weekend but haven’t been able to focus on anything! Rick is going to leave at 6:30 a.m. tomorrow morning to interpret in Vegas for the day and evening. That sounds really stressful to me. Jenna has a birthday party tomorrow and I have a baptism to go to tomorrow night. Rick and I will go with Janika Sunday morning at 7:00 for her report to the High Council. Wish it weren’t so early!
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