We were lucky that church wasn't until 1:30 on Sunday so we were able to relax a bit and hang out with the Giffords. Randall did such a great job on his talk. After Sacrament meeting, we all gathered outside to visit and wish Randall well.
Mom, Randall, Dad
Randall and I
I wish I could say that I handled all this wonderfully and kept my emotions in check the whole time, but I didn't. Those who know me well know that I don't do goodbyes well at all. I would cry every time I would get in the car to leave to go back to Flagstaff during college. I was a mess when Mike got set apart. The Stake President asked me why I was so tearful when Ben got set apart. I knew this would be as hard as Mike leaving, if not worse. It brought back all the memories and feelings of sending Mike off and I thought considering all things, I did pretty well. It wasn't until I was telling Randall that he should go spend his last few minutes with Kylee, his girlfriend, that I got teary eyed.
Kylee and Randall
Wouldn't you know it that Mike happened to see and got the camera and thought it would be hilarious to document it. I really do love my husband, but I was NOT liking him right then. I have actually been struggling writing this post because I don't know if I want to post these pictures and let everyone see what a baby I am.
Do you see the look of death I am giving Mike? Still not laughing about this picture yet...maybe in 20 years.
Randall, Christi, and Becca
Cortney (cousin), Randall, Uncle Steve, Aunt Kelly, Kamden (cousin), Nate, Me
Jason and Macie (cousins), Aunt Deanna, Liz (Mom's cousin)
Randall's friends, Christi, Emily and Jason
Heidi, Randall and Staci (cousins)
Kelsey, Staci, Heidi (cousins), and Mike
Olivia (cousin), Mike, Dad, Kim (Mom's Cousin's Husband)
Randall, Uncle Steve
Christi, Becca, Grandma Debbie (Family Friend)
Randall and Kylee saying goodbye
Teagan (cousin), Zane and Rubi running and playing
Soon after Sacrament meeting got over, we went to my parent's house to wait until it was time for Randall to get set apart. We all met down at the Stake Center for the setting apart. President Wright had us all sit in the high council room while he took Randall in for an interview. We bribed the kids with suckers to try to keep them quiet. It was quite a full room: Mom, Dad, Mike, Me, Zane, Nate, Christi, Jason, Andrea, Jayden, Emily, Becca, Julie, Bret, Ayla, Bethany, Andre, Joenick, Evienne, Olivia, Josh, Cooper (cousins), Uncle Lawrence, Missy (Kylee's best friend) and Kylee. When Pres. Wright and Randall came back in, he had Randall go show on the world map where he would be serving. Then he gave advice to Randall and all of us. He told us all to pray for Randall if we wanted to be included in those who are blessed because of his missionary service. Then he put Kylee on the spot and made her come look him in the eyes as he told her what she could and could not write to Randall. We were all dying for her. We had pre-warned her about "Scary Larry" but none of us expected that. She handled it like a champ, not even tearing up. Then they set Elder Despain apart as a full time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Randall will go serve the people in Mexico City in the Mexico City West Mission for two years. He will go to teach the people there about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and the Book of Mormon. We are so proud of him and the decision he has made to serve the Lord for 2 years. We are grateful to him for the example he is setting for our boys. I did get teary during the prayer and as we were leaving. It did not help in the least to see Andrea and especially Jayden crying. What a sweet spirit he has under all that crazy, high strung boy energy. On the way out, we had to get a first handshake picture of Randall and Kylee.
After getting set apart, we were off to Mom and Dad's house for dinner. We stuck around and hung out with Randall until late and then we took the boys home for bed. I did really well with only a few tears at our goodbye. It was sweet to see the boys tell Randall goodbye, but bittersweet knowing that they will change so much while he is gone.
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