Lucas left for the MTC bright and early June 2. Who would have thought that the airport would be packed at 6 a.m. for a 7:30 departure?
Because it was so crazy busy, Lucas checked his bags in at the curb. Butch and I asked if we could get a pass to accompany Lucas to the gate and were both disappointed because it looked like the odds were slim to none as there was a hour long wait just to get to the counter for the request. It was then, when the Sky Cap who checked Lucas in, came and found us in the crowd of people. He led us over to the first class counter and spoke to an agent on our behalf. Before we knew it, we were through security and waiting with our son.
At the gate he saw two other missionaries that he would be traveling with on the same flight; Joe Udall and Cameron Clark.
I wish I had the Sky Cap's name to send a thank you note, give him a hug or something! - Butch and I are both very visual and it was very sweet to see our son walk through the door to his new life as a servant of the Lord. It was a tender mercy for both of us.
I can say that I have the best family and friends in the world. Again,I have been greatly blessed. Being the last of 6 children in the family I have always had someone looking over me. We have a saying in the bodine home, Too many chiefs and not enough Indians. But I have been so lucky to have the greatest brothers,sisters and parents that are my examples. I love them so much. We have an eternal family. One of my most memorable moments was going to the temple for the first time and seeing my family in the celestial room. My family is eternal and I am so grateful for that. I wish that everyone could experience what I did in the temple with my family.
In addition to having the best family in the world I have the best friends ever. I was talking to one of my good friends and I said you want to know what one of my favorite part of my talk was? It was in my testimony and I was talking about my friends and I said, "I love my friends and they love me". Isn't that what friends are for? I think so! We have each others back and we support each other and build each other up. My friends have always been a positive influence on me and I am lucky that they have never been negative influence. I love my friends and they love me.
Have you ever thought about what someone is feeling before they leave for their mission? I think this picture by my amazing sister Whitney shows what I am feeling. A picture speaks a thousand words so... But right now I am anxious/sad/pumped/reflective/ready. I am a little sad leaving the ones who I love and my comfort zone of mesa,arizona but I put my trust in the lord. I know that the harder I work the less "home sick" I will be. I am taking part of the most important work on the face of this earth! cool thought huh? By tonight I will be set apart as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am humbled to be be part of this great mission and I am grateful for my opportunity's that lie ahead. My social media manger/mother will be updating this blog with letters and pictures and also my facebook. Lets stay in touch and be sure to write me and tell me whats up.
