“well I guess I am going on a mission”

One evening we were watching tv together. She was on her phone working on something. I heard the printer going in the office. “Wanna come with me to drop off my mission papers?” How could I say “no” to that. But truly my heart dropped and the reality of her leaving suddenly weighed so heavy on my heart. I am REALLY happy for her. She will learn and grow so much on her mission. I know it was a huge reset and redirection for me in my life. It was great for Kate too. Her reason for going is really sweet too…

In May Sophie received her patriarchal blessing. Danny had been asking her to do that since she was 12 or 13. She wasn’t interested. Her upcoming graduation was the time. I came home a bit early from a girl’s trip to St George, woke her up (she had been out late to a dance), she had a quick bite to eat and we were ready. Danny got home from church and the three of us headed just down the street to the patriarch’s home.

We had never met the patriarch and his wife. We chatted briefly and then went straight into Sophie’s blessing. It is a beautiful blessing and the spirit washed over all of us. The five of us in the room were hit with emotion. Along with that sweet emotion there was also a bit of surprise and un-ease. After the blessing the patriarch identified the elephant filling that room-“a mission hadn’t been on my mind” he said.

Sophie’s blessing was more direct and specific about a mission than I had ever heard in a blessing. Things like- “you will serve a mission…you will prepare right now…you will serve for 18 months.” Hearing this, I was moved but also stressed. Sophie had ZERO plans of serving a mission. ZERO. She was loving her coaching plans and excited to move to Salt Lake with friends. Church attendance wasn’t her favorite thing. She wasn’t going on a mission, or so I thought.

She sweetly said goodbye to the patriarch and his wife and we drove home in silence. We walked in the house and she said she was going to take a nap (she had just gotten up). When she came upstairs a bit later she was cheerful but we chatted about other things. We planned our week, had dinner and relaxed. Her friend (who had his mission call already) came over. We were in the kitchen together and I heard her say-

“well, I guess I am going on a mission”

He was stunned and I was surprised she said it too. Later some cousins came by and I heard again-

“well, I guess I am going on a mission”

WHAT? She shared with friends and family that night about her blessing and how she now had a change of plans. Over the next few weeks she worked out the timing, making sure she finished the gymnastics season with her athletes. When she told her work, I knew she was serious.

Her call came on December 1st!

Sophie has been called to serve in the ATLANTA GEORGIA MISSION! She is THRILLED and I am really happy for her. Man, I am going to miss her. I will hold on to those long p-day chats (I am SOOOOOOO grateful for those!)!

She is hard working, doesn’t take herself too seriously, LOVES to have fun, and has a lot of energy. She loves people, loves teaching and is showing a lot of faith to take this step. You got this Soph! We are happy to have another Sister Davis serving.