Dallin is going to Neuquen, Argentina

My missionary son. 

This was one of the missionary pictures that we took of Dallin to send in with his mission papers.

On Friday February 4, 2011 when I got home from working in the Temple.  Scott, Polly, and I walked to the mail box with the video camera in hand to see if the mail had come.  We were anticipating Dallin's mission call.  Dallin and Allison were in Mesa for a preseason tennis tournament, and Polly was home sick.  So I opened the mail box, and I pulled out each piece of mail very slowly.  Finally I pulled out the large white envelope that read..."Elder Dallin Scott Evans."  I immediately called Dallin who didn't answer his phone, and so I called Allison, and she let me talk to Dallin, I couldn't contain my tears.  It was a happy moment.  Scott called DeWitt who was at his state soccer tournament, and we told Lillian who got home from school just about a half an hour later.  I called the grandmas and the aunts. 

When I came inside of the house I cleaned the counters and put the envelope in a special place so it could be seen as soon as Dallin walked in.  Ever since Dallin turned in his papers I have been speculating on where he would go, and then now that the call was here all I did was draw a blank.  I was frustrated by this, but I didn't know why.   I finally decided, it was because I was going to be happy with wherever the Lord needed him to serve.

Dallin didn't open his call until Saturday night the 5th of February, because DeWitt wasn't home from his tournament yet, and it was important for both boys for him to be there....of course.  So that night at 7:00 we had grandma and grandpa Biggs, grandma Sherry, Rachel, Tony and their family, Matt and Jody, Mary, Tyson and their family, Skyler, Wanda, Brice, and Valerie on the phone, Ronda, and her grandson, Allison, Dallin, DeWitt, Lillian, Polly, Scott, and Rebecca.  We had each one of my brothers and sister on the phone, Nathan, Joel, Daniel, Jeremy, Esther, Thomas.  Some of Dallin's friends were there.  Matt, Tawny, and Lila Herrington, Billy, and Julie.  We had a full house house and it was so very wonderful to have so much support.

When Dallin opened his call, he smiled first and then he read.  "You are here by called to serve in the Neuquen, Argentina mission."   Whoops and cheers went out, and everyone was so excited.  I gave him a hug, and Scott immediately grabbed an encyclopedia and started to check right where he would be.  Everyone else was chatting excitedly.  It was such a wonderful time.  Dallin called bishop Carpenter, and Pres. Lines and Pres. Sanders and was very excited to tell them.  He has already said the words..."This is the best mission in the world"  I love it!  When everything calmed down, and people left.  Scott was checking the Internet for more Argentina info and Dallin was still visiting with friends, I was feeling lost.  I felt bad that I wasn't super excited and super happy.  In fact I was very confused by my feelings, and so I went to bed, so that I wouldn't make anyone feel bad.  Scott came in to check on me, and he asked me what was wrong, and I couldn't explain it, I just reassured him that I wasn't mad or upset.  The next morning, I was able to explain a little bit better.  I was feeling that for the last 19 years I have been preparing Dallin and working with him, and getting him ready, spiritually, physically, and emotionally to leave our home and serve the Lord.  Dallin is completely ready to do this, he is ready in every way, and I wouldn't want it any other way.   I just feel like our family will never be the same.  Dallin will come back different, in a good way, and things will change at home.  He will have experiences without me.  Being the selfish person that I am, I'm already jealous of the people that will get to have him for the next two years.  So these are real feelings, but I am working through them.  I see that I have to for my sake and for Dallin's.  Dallin is a very mature person, and he will be changing lives, his included.  I am so proud of him, for his life this far, and for the example that he is to his brother and to his cousins.  Another side note is that Dallin has well over his money needed for his mission saved and ready to give without any second thought.  DeWitt also has his mission money saved.  I am so proud of my boys. 

Dallin reports to the Prove MTC on May 25, 2011.  It is the same day as Lillian's 8th grade graduation.  The plan is for all of us to drive up and tour Salt Lake, and surrounding temples, and then drop Dallin off at the curb and come on home.  I really hope it all turns out that way.  We'll see in a couple of months.  For now.  I am a joyful, proud mother.

The reaction, when Dallin read..."Argentina"

 Dallin is going to be on the bottom of the world

Grandpa reading the call.

Dallin with his sibs

Grandma Sherry

Best friends

One of the next Gila Valley missonaries.....Luke

 Grandpa and Grandma Biggs

Tyson and Mary and family

Tony, Rachel and family

The momma and the dadda, reading all of the paperwork.