Elder Clutter

It's 1:36 A.M. and I am still up. I have been busy. I've been doing last minute laundry, washing dishes, hemming pants, and packing. Getting organized for tomorrow.

Tomorrow. The day Jeffrey and I leave for Salt Lake City. Only he's not just Jeffrey anymore. Now he's Elder Clutter, having been set apart as a full-time missionary by our Stake President. Having been set apart to serve for 24 months. That's one of the things that has to be said during the blessing. 24 months. 2 years. That's a long time.

I'd been doing all right. Then we went over and listened to the end of the Youth Conference testimony meeting so he could be set apart once it was over. For the closing song we sang "The EFY Medley". If you've never heard it, it's a great song. It's sung in Women's and Men's parts. The men sing the song "We'll Bring the World His Truth". This is part of what they sing: "We are as the army of Helaman. We have been taught in our youth. And we will be the Lord's missionaries to bring the world His truth." I looked at Shelley and Kristie, who were both crying, as was I. I could hear Jeffrey singing, and it was all so real. He has now been set apart as one of the Lord's missonaries, and he will be leaving soon to begin his mission.

I know he's ready to serve. So ready. I will let him go willingly, but I'm sure going to miss him. This would be a lot easier if Robert were here.

It's now 1:55 A.M. I'm sitting here crying. Sometimes it's hard to be a mom - even when you know your son is making the right choice.