Mackenzie and I had shopped until we literally dropped. We had shopped extensively for the entire month of February and we were exhausted! To go into one more store made us both cringe so we called it quits on Friday (the 7th). We did laundry over the weekend and Monday we began packing. It was an all day process but we finished Monday night and felt good about all of our purchases. However, after packing everything we were a little worried about the weight of her bags. Tuesday morning (March 11th) when Nephi was home we thought we would ask him to weigh her luggage. It was a very good thing that we did because she was about 15 lbs over on one of her bags. It took us a couple of hours to get her bags packed to where they would pass regulation. We were trying to hurry because Mackenzie was scheduled to get set apart at 7:30 that night. We ended up leaving around 3:30pm.....about 2 hours later than we had hoped. We knew it would take us about 3 hours to get to San Antonio.
Mackenzie and Lauren on the way to San Antonio
We arrived at our hotel around 7:00pm and hurried to get ready so we could make it to her appointment with President Slaughter at 7:30pm. We had worked hard and were hoping to avoid the last minute rush so we could more calmly enjoy the evening. Although we fell short of that goal, her setting apart was a wonderful experience. The blessing she received was a beautiful one and suited just for her. I was so grateful that we were able to be a part of such an amazing occasion. Before we left with our missionary, President Slaughter told us of our rules. No TV, only uplifting music...in other words no music, and she always had to have someone with her. She always needed a companion and anyone could be that for her with the exception of Lauren:). After Mackenzie's setting apart we went to dinner at Red Robin. Mackenzie then requested that we go to the temple to walk around. She wanted to show Lauren the temple at night. We headed over there and it was beautiful. Our little Lauren was pretty active so we weren't able to get the pictures that we would have liked. We then headed back to the hotel. Adam was Mackenzie's companion while Nephi, Lauren and I ran to Walmart. AMAZING! Months of shopping and at midnight the night before she leaves we were at Walmart. We just had to pick up odds and ends; toothbrush holders, travel size hairspray, etc....we picked up some gum for Mackenzie because she's rarely found without gum in her mouth and we thought it would be good for the airplane. We mentioned that missionaries weren't to chew gum but they could in their own apartment. Do you know she wouldn't chew gum? So cute! She was not going to chew that gum. She wants to be "exactly obedient".
We didn't get in bed until after midnight and Mackenzie had to be to the airport by 4:30am. So much for a good nights sleep. My kids will tell you that I try soooo hard but always fall short. Frustrating. We finally fell asleep at probably 1:00am and Mackenzie had to get up at 3:00am. Nephi, Mackenzie and I left around
Mackenzie's plane was scheduled to depart at 6:15am and by this time it was well after 5:00am. The line for the security check point was insanely long so we immediately got in line. The line went way faster than we had anticipated so we were to the front before we knew it. It was time for our quick goodbye.
There she is in line waiting to go through security
(she's in the red sweater)
(she's in the red sweater)
Nephi and I left with heavy hearts but so grateful that she accepted the invitation to serve. Her life will be eternally blessed as well as those she will come in contact with. She let us know that her mantra every morning would be "Go hasten the work Sister Judd!". She vowed that would be her pep talk every morning. Did I say we're proud of her? and she's ours for eternity. We're so blessed!:)
