Прощай Sister Vehar

Saying goodbye really stinks. Today, we hugged and walked away from our sweet Sister Vehar at the Denver International Airport. We got there plenty early and had a good amount of time to sit and visit with each other after checking Kaeleigh's two suitcases. We all gave Big Sis our finally advice for her mission.

Deegan: Always be cheerful on your saddest days
Carson: Don’t get mad
Ashlyn: Darkness can’t beat darkness, only light can do that. Hate can’t beat hate, only love can.
Dad: NO REGRETS!
Mom: Let go and LET GOD. Let go of your ways and let Heavenly Father lead you. Follow His will and plan for you. Trust God.

Then, we had our last family prayer together (totally in the airport!) because we realized that we didn't get to do that like we wanted since we hurried out the door to the airport (parenting is like herding cats sometimes.) We all walked together to the security check and I swear saying this goodbye was way too bittersweet. We were all so happy for and proud of Sister Vehar, but so sad and miserable for ourselves. Would she really even have time to miss us? Each of us gave her a teary hug, some of us fought over who would get the last hug, and then we really let her go. We went upstairs and waited...and waited, and waited. How long does it take to go through security? Oh, the scarf, the boots...don't forget your three bracelets and all your jewelry...the bag! Don't forget the bag! It was a good thing she had us all laughing by the time she finally made it through and put back together to offer us her final wave goodbye. If it weren't for Ryan's humor, there would have been a clean up needed on isle wherever-we-were. Wednesday, January 31, 2018 will go down as one of Ryan and my most proud parenting days for sure. And then the waiting game began again. We waited all day with notifications turned on Mom's phone for her much expected, small email letting us know she arrived. As we were crawling into bed, defeated, we finally got our email at 9:31pm:

Both Kaeleigh and Mom had received an emailed "gift" from a missionary app that Mom signed up for. This gift was a story that of course is amazing, but when you are about to send your missionary off at the airport in just a few days, this wasn't very "gift-ish" but it is oh so true.  Worth keeping, and I am so grateful that our daughter was willing to take her own "Longest Walk" today:

THE LONGEST WALK
Last night after a long stretch of meetings I got in my car and headed over to a townhouse in a nearby neighborhood. When I got there I was greeted by a small group of teenagers preparing to say goodbye to the 18-year-old young man I had come to see.

This would be the last night he'd spend at home for two years.

After visiting for a few minutes I gave the young man a hug and shared with him how I felt about his decision to sacrifice 24 months of his life to serve others. I invest a great deal of myself in these young men. Witnessing them decide to go is gratifying. Saying goodbye is incredibly difficult.

This morning this young man's parents, sisters, and some close friends took him to the Phoenix airport. They helped him check in his suitcases and walked with him to the deepest spot in the terminal that security would allow them to go with him. There they waited until the last possible moment before his flight departed  before they said their tearful goodbyes.

It is at that moment that most young men and women in the LDS culture fast The Longest Walk of their lives.

As they turn to head into the security line and eventually make their way down the concourse to their gate they leave behind those they love, the place they call home, their hobbies, their jobs, their possessions, their schooling m and every comfort of life.

These are the hardest steps they have ever taken.

No friends or family will accompany them on this journey.

They must do it alone.

Nothing is scarier. Nothing is more intimidating. Nothing is harder.

These young people are, literally and symbolically, turning and walking away from everything and everyone they have ever known.

The Longest Walk is the rawest emotional experience of these teenager's lives.

It takes every ounce of faith they can possibly muster to move their feet and continue to walk.

And yet every step the transformation deepens.

The focus on self fades.

The dependency on deity grows.

The discovery of courage previously untapped is made.

The distractions of the world dissolve.

There is no moment in these young people's lives when they feel weaker than when they begin The Long Walk.

There is no experience that could make them stronger than those steps.

I am grateful for my decision many years ago to make The Longest Walk. It changed me. Forever.

There have been other Long Walks since then in my life.

I am certain others await me.

I have come to realize these Walks are in many ways the defining moments of the mortal experience.

It's no wonder the ultimate examples throughout history were tasked with making The Longest Walks in places like the wilderness of Sinai, the garden at Gethsemane, and on the dusty roads of Carthage.

I do not believe we were sent to Earth to sit and be comfortable. We are here to be refined.

The transformation our maker desires in each of us happen when we have the faith, courage, and commitment to take The Longest Walks.

Look out Ukraine, here she comes with all the excitement in the world!

Hanging out at the airport squeezing every last minute.

Last family photo

Ashlyn insisted on carrying Kaeleigh's luggage for her. Her last act of service (in person) for 18 months.

Lots of tears were shed, but through the tears, smiles prevailed.

Officially Becoming "Sister Vehar"

Our stake president, President Chad Larsen, came to our home at 7pm on Tuesday, January 30th to set Kaeleigh apart as a full time missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He visited with her for a few minutes and discussed what it means to be set apart and the rules that would now apply to her immediately and also bless her as a missionary. President Larsen called the family in and we all visited together and he asked us all what it meant to have Kaeleigh doing this and the growth that we've seen. He also asked for commitments from her siblings about things they would do while she was gone. Carson said he would read the Book of Mormon, Deegan said he would say his prayers, and Ashlyn said that she would prepare to go to the temple on her 12th birthday, just before Kaeleigh comes home from her mission.

Blessing given to set Kaeleigh apart as a full time missionary (Mom took notes with the permission of the stake president and typed them up to send with Sister Vehar on her mission):

Sister Kaeleigh Laurine Vehar,

You are called as a representative of our Savior, Jesus Christ to serve in the Ukraine, Kyiv mission or any subsequent mission.

I give you the rights, powers and privileges needed as a missionary that your brother and Savior Jesus Christ has. I bless you to feel in your heart and mind this call from your Heavenly Father. Know that preparation for this mission is not limited to past months and years. Know that you have prepared before you were even born to represent Jesus Christ as a missionary. You planned for this.

I bless you to feel your Heavenly Father's love for you. He knows you and is aware of every circumstance and situation. He will never leave you alone. He blesses you with the companionship of the Holy Ghost. I bless you to recognize the power that comes with the companionship of the Holy Ghost. Bless you that sacrament will mean the world to you each week as you remember that you will have His spirit to be with you.

I bless you at the MTC to be mindful that Heavenly Father will help you transition, learn the language and learn the lessons.

Have a love for Preach My Gospel and the power that comes from that.

I bless you with spiritual gifts-that you will be aware of and continue to develop as a missionary. You have been blessed with the greatest gifts of the spirit, Obedience, and I bless you that gift will continue to be magnified on your mission as you will not question. Look for opportunities to follow council. Heavenly Father will bless you for your obedience.

I bless you with the gift of tongues that after the invigorated stage, you will be patient with yourself. I bless you that as you learn the language, it will be gradual, but miraculous how well you will communicate and interact with the people. I wish to impress upon you that the most important language isn't the Russian or Ukrainian that you will learn, but the language of the Spirit. I bless you that you will listen to the promptings in your heart and mind and learn how the Spirit speaks to you individually. This will bring you joy, happiness and a multitude of blessings the rest of your life. Be sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Ghost. You will know through these promptings Heavenly Father's love for you.

I bless you that as you interact with those on your mission, and some you may only meet briefly, that they will feel your spirit of love. Many people will be touched, friendships will be made, you will have discussions with and doors will be opened because of your love.

I bless you that you will find joy in this service. Joy and happiness is a daily decision. Look for the positive. There will be times that you will miss home and the things that you are familiar with. Rather than dwell on being homesick, recognize the thoughts and feelings you have of home. Those will turn to deep gratitude and you will feel a need to express to Heavenly Father your gratitude for family, your experience of love and kindness. Others don't have what you have.

You will be comfortable making specific invitations. You will help others make changes to progress and grow closer to the Savior.

I bless you with the physical, emotional, and mental strength needed as a missionary. Recognize Heavenly Father's influence and answers in times of difficulty and struggles. I bless you to recognize the power of prayer. Heavenly Father loves you and will give you answers to prayers.

On your mission, you will strengthen many. Look at and see your companions with love and appreciation. See them as the Savior sees them. Look for the good in them. You will be a source of strength to them when they struggle. Be a light to them. I bless you to be able to share your thoughts and feelings.

Observe your mission president and wife closely. Learn things for your future with your husband. Learn of the important things for your own relationship. Seek their guidance.

You will have the opportunity to teach and lead others and this will bring you joy and strength. You will have a great impact.

I express appreciation for your willingness and desire to serve. I bless you with peace and calmness as you travel.


Kaeleigh and President Chad Larsen

Goodbye Madrid, Hello Provo!

Kaeleigh received word that she is going to the Provo MTC instead of Madrid next Wednesday, the 31st. She was supposed to fly out next Monday morning for Madrid, but her visa didn't come. That sounds super sad...because, MADRID! But, there are so many happy things about it-like we get two extra days with her, we can send her emails and even letters via DearElder.com any day of the week, and we can afford to send her packages to Provo while she is there for 9 weeks learning Russian. She will also be on the same time zone as us for the following 9 weeks and we think that will be great to make Kaeleigh's transition to the missionary schedule a bit easier. Everything happens for a reason and we trust the Lord's plan. So look out Provo, here she comes!

Kaeleigh was a bit sad and nervous to receive this news. She had made effort to find and connect with sister missionaries that she found through Missionaries Coming Soon (Instagram) that would be going to the MTC in Madrid with her on the same day and are assigned to the same mission. She will still get to meet her new sister missionary friends, it will just have to wait until April. Until then, she is excited for Sisters Bailey Pixton, Celeste Soucie and Brinley Reid and will meet them in person soon enough.

Interestinly, Kaeleigh's visa has been "ahead of schedule" for over a month and now the church travel department did't get it in time. It will be awesome to watch the next 18 months unfold and see the Lord's hand in her life as she represents Him as a full-time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. We are excited that she will get to see the new Missionary Training Center in Provo. It is exceptional in it's architecture, beautiful artwork and views. We can't wait to start hearing all about it!

*We heard this week that the Ukraine, L'viv mission will dissolve this July and combine with Kaeleigh's Kyiv mission. As of July 1st this year (2018) as part of the Simplify and Reduce Movement Act , 46 missions are being dissolved which includes the Ukraine, L'viv mission. That mission has about 35 missionaries, 2 senior missionaries, 800 members, 6 branches, etc. The Odessa District of the Kyiv mission will be transferred to the Ukraine Dnepropetrovsk mission. Sister Vehar will arrive to Ukraine in April, so we will have to wait and see what all this really translates to in regards to her.