Lia Leaving

After two weeks of home MTC, it was time for Lia to go. I loved home MTC and was sad to see it end, but she was ready to go. On her last full day before she left, she and Laura did some yoga that morning, she had a few classes, and then we finished getting her packed up. Nate's mom and dad came over to say goodbye and helped us get her the rest of the way packed. And then they left and Lia had a few things for us and we had a little gift for her too. And then Nate gave her and everyone else who wanted one a blessing. Lia's notes and pictures for everyone were so sweet! I didn't want the night to end because I knew we'd have to say goodbye in the morning. We were up late getting all the last minute things finished and then we were up early the next morning to take her to the airport. The airport was miserable. I mean truly miserable. We had no idea how hard it was going to be. Everyone was out of sorts and saying goodbye was so, so hard. Nate said when we got home that he's never felt his covenants tested like they were that day sending our daughter out into the world. We knew it was the right thing for her and that it would be a blessing for her and our family, but it was so hard saying goodbye. We had a few tender mercies like the girl who met up with her after she left us and walked to her gate with her and took a picture of the two of them and sent it to us. And another missionary we were able to find to deliver a letter that we forgot to give Lia to read on her way. He was on Lia's same flight and after we got to the car and realized we forgot to give her the letter, we ran back in and thankfully found this missionary. And we had several family members and friends and neighbors who reached out to us that day. But man, I am not looking forward to doing that again!