There is so much hoopla and joy and celebration when someone decides to go on a mission. There's a party for the opening of the mission call, friends and family gathering in person and online. There is a mission farewell talk at church, and we were lucky enough to be flooded with the best of friends and family for that service. Then the big day arrives and the family heads to the Missionary Training Center together, but not before a last meal, lots and lots of shopping for all the missionary stuff, so many hugs and goodbyes and group photos. And even then, the missionary is starting their service in a place where they are celebrated and supported, where there are teachers and leaders who encourage them and the missionaries are grouped into "districts," learning the ropes together and often growing into lifelong friends.
And then...they head to the mission field, out to the area where they were assigned to serve. They get a day or so with all the other missionaries just arriving and their (usually) very nice mission president. But then they move into a little apartment with one or maybe three other missionaries and they start the day-to-day work of trying to serve people. It can be quite the crash landing after all that celebration and hooplah.
Not everyone loves the MTC, but Chase really did. He was part of a district of 13 missionaries, both elders and sisters. They were going to all sorts of English-speaking places, except his actual companion who was also assigned to Spokane. They all grew very close, and he had a great experience with them. I would even say he adored them.
Chase left the MTC on October 12th. I was shocked to get a text out of the blue from a dear old friend I hadn't talked to forever. She works at the airport and just so happened to have the chance to help board the flight Chase was on. This was the first time I got a surprise text from someone which included a photo of my boy. Most often the texts come from strangers, but what a blessing and treat for the first one to come from my dear friend Ellie. Seeing this photo totally lifted my heart. I was nervous all day, wondering how he was doing and how the traveling was going. While Chase was in the MTC, he was allowed to use Facebook messenger to chat with his immediate family as much as needed. But his communication was really limited once he left the MTC.
Once he arrived in Spokane, he spent the first couple of days with the Mission President and his wife, President and Sister LeBaron. They have a facebook account, and post photos with the new missionaries. Troy and I checked anxiously all day to see our boy's face. It was so great to see him smiling, although to me he looked a little tight around his eyes, and I knew it was a hard day for him. He later told us that he had spent a good deal of the first day holding back tears.
The second day he was assigned to his trainer and area. He landed in Spokane Valley with Elder Trimble. It wasn't long before Chase told us in a phone call that he knew that Elder Trimble was meant to be his trainer, that he knew his president was inspired to put them together. I think they get along really really well. We all think cute Elder Trimble looks like a young John Goodman.
I've been lucky enough to get several more texts from unknown phone numbers with an unexpected photo of my cute Elder Preslar. These texts mean more to us than I can even say.
This next photo is Chase enjoying dinner with a dear family on his 20th birthday. Talk about weird! The first time we haven't been able to celebrate his birthday with him! I tried to make a fun package, with a cake mix and frosting, candles, a few small gifts and some money for them to go out to dinner. I think he liked it....Chase does not rave over the things I send him. But I think he enjoys them. It's so nice that he's close enough that I can toss a bag of kit kats and a card into a tiny box and send it for just a few dollars, and it arrives there in a couple of days. For his birthday, Chase was invited to dinner at the home of the family of one of his old co-workers from Aspen Grove. She wasn't there, but it was special for him to be with a family he knew a little bit. He absolutely loves the members he is with in Spokane. They are amazing people!
We are able to talk with Chase over video chat every Monday, his preparation day. He sends out a short email to a large group of people and hopefully he communicates a lot with his many friends. But our special treat is to be able to get on a video call and see his face, hear his voice, and have a nice conversation. His calls at first were super short. Chase is not someone I'd ever describe as verbose. The first week was especially discouraging. It was not easy to get started on a 24 month journey in an unfamiliar place, in an apartment he described as being "one star," and leaving everything he knew. But he's doing it! Some weeks are better than others. Sometimes he feels like he's doing some good and sometimes he doesn't. Sometimes he lets the things that are a struggle really get under his skin, and other times he copes better. I know it's especially hard serving in the winter in a place that is cold and very dark. But...he is doing it! We are so proud of him.
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