Mission Call

Shad received his mission call on Thursday, October 18th.  The post office gave us a courtesy call at 7a.m. to let us know that his mission call was there and we could pick it up.  Unfortunately, Shad's mom had Parent Teacher Conferences that night and Shad wanted to invite a bunch of family and friends.  We opted to have Shad wait 'til Friday, October 20th to open his call.  We had a house full of family and friends come to support Shad.  As they came in, we had them put one tag on their guess in the US and one outside of the US.  The person who guessed the closest got a bag of some of Shad's favorite treats.  Shad's uncle Darren was the closest guess.  He guessed Shad would go to Santa Barbara, California mission.  The next closest guess received a bag of Gummi Bears saying,"Bearly missed it".  Shad's friend, Thomas Meacham, was the next closest guess.  He guessed Shad would go to Phoenix, Arizona.  Shad was hoping to go to either New Zealand or Tonga.  When he opened his call, he read:
"Dear Elder Whaley: You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  You are assigned to labor in the California San Jose Mission.  It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of 24 months.  You should report to the Provo Missionary Training Center on Wednesday, February 6, 2013.  You will prepare to preach the gospel in the English language."

This is what a mission call looks like from outside the envelope.

Treats for the closest guesser.  The one who guessed the closest (Uncle
Darren)received a bag of goodies that are some of Shad's favorites.
 The next 2 closest received a bag of gummi bears- "Bearly missed it!"

Putting up their guesses on the map.

Friends and family mingling before the opening.

More friends, family, and the bishop.

Some of Shad's friends.

The two eye doctors! (Uncle Darren and Bishop Galbraith) and Asa!

Grandma showing her excitement!

Waiting!

Trying to open the mission call!

Reading his mission call!