Taylor's Gone

Sending my son on a mission is one of the hardest things I have ever done.  Much harder than sending Miriya away to school.  With Miriya we can text, talk on the phone, skype, etc and she can come home at any time, just buy the plane ticket and she is filling our house with her lovely presence.  All of these things are taken away when you send off a missionary.  Letters just aren't the same as actually talking to someone and not seeing him for 2 years, yeah, that's hard.  I cried and cried.  Tom was surprised, "Um, you aren't really a crier, this is weird..."  Bleh, I tried to blame it on the preceeding 2 night shifts that I worked just prior to him leaving but it has been a week now and I cried after I read his first email home and I didn't work a night shift.  I think it is just hard.  

Heavenly Father did grace me with a tender mercy.  Taylor was the only person flying to Brazil and I was so worried about, well, everything.  He is pretty well traveled, even internationally, but I have always been with him.  Sending him off to do it all alone was a test of faith.  A very nice woman was also traveling to Brazil and met up with Taylor in Atlanta.  She recognized him as a missionary and texted me when they got on the plane and when they landed in Brazil so that I would know that he was safe.  Wow, that was exactly what I needed.  Heavenly Father was truly watching out for me that night.  The governor of Utah was on the same flight so Taylor got a picture with him after they landed.

He sent me his first real email after pday this week.  His pday is Wednesday.  It sounds like he is very busy but eating well.  (It's all about the food for that kid).  He says that the language is going great.  He would love to hear from family so feel free to email him.  I did get an email from the MTC president stating that the MTC cannot accept packages.  I am incredulous as this means no birthday or Christmas presents.  He will be leaving the MTC right around Christmas so I am going to send his packages to his mission so hopefully they won't be too delayed from the holiday.  

Here are the important addresses:

email address  

rasmussen.taylor@myldsmail.net

His mission address (packages OK)

Elder Taylor Thomas Rasmussen

Brazil Sao Paulo West Mission

Rua Euzebio de Souza, 121

Jardim, Londrina

05638-100 Sao Paulo - SP

Brazil

I don't have his complete MTC address as I can't read the card he filled out then sent a picture.  I emailed him for clarification.  When he emails back, I will post it here.