Just Had to Make You Laugh! Kade's Farewell. Plus, a Note from Annette Mortensen.
Hey Everyone!
Just had to make you smile! Here are a couple more photos from our Mexico trip that are sure to add a little joy to your face.
Big changes are on the horizon for Kade.
This Sunday is the day we've all anticipated his entire life. It's the week he gives a "farewell" talk to our congregation at church. 
It is with mixed feelings that we say goodbye to this guy for two years. He's so excited to go to North Carolina and looks forward to meeting all the wonderful people there. I'm so happy about all the many amazing experiences that await him. However, I'm not looking forward to the loneliness we'll feel without his presence in our home--he has been a bright spot in our family and such a good example for his siblings to follow. I already plan to sleep in his bed the night he leaves :) ! Although there might be four other people fighting me to get there first!
Kade leaves on January 20th (one day before Sage's birthday and six days before mine! But he is here today for Steve's birthday! (Happy Birthday, SRB.) I'll keep you posted on the countdown to his leaving and his journey in North Carolina.Have a great weekend and stay warm.
Lisa
P.S. This note just came from my friend, Annette Mortensen, who lost her son in November. She is so appreciative to all your support.
"To my dear, precious friend Lisa and all of you--her blogging friends... Thank you from the depths of my heart for your empathy, faith, prayers and the outpouring of love you have expressed to me and my family. We have been strengthened because of you! We are so thankful for our belief in Eternal Life, made possible by our Savior, Jesus Crist and a loving Heavenly Father. We miss McKay terribly . . . the pain is overwhelming and unbearable at times. But we experience moments, even hours (every so often) of peace and joy and HOPE! We look forward with great anticipation to the time we will be reunited with our "sunshine boy." Until then, we will strive to learn what we can from this and other experiences. And, we will do our best to share the richness and blessings of what we learn with others. Thank you! Thank you! You have touched me and my family forever!"
Annette Mortensen
Missouri
14 Comments:
God Be with Kade and your family. It is so sad to see them go, but happy at the same time. I have just recently realized that they can't email as much I would like. Just keep your letters going so he has your support at home. My grandson has been in Spain for five months and the mission MTC for 2. I miss him very much, but so far his mission is producing great results....Pam
I was excited to see that Kade was coming to NC for his mission. I have followed you for years and love all you do and your sweet spirit too. May he be blessed on his mission. Maybe he will wind up in our town. All the missionaries say they love NC.
I've always wanted to visit North Carolina. That is one of the states that is on our list to move to (trying to get out of MI). Have heard wonderful things about it. Sounds like the perfect place for him to spend 2 years!
Over the years I have seen Kade grow up through your blog and I am awed at the person he has become. (he is one terrific kid)I am just a scrapbooker that was blessed by you and took on the journey to document my family's life. I wish him the best.
God Bless the Mortensen Family. May God continue to hold them close in His arms.
Enjoy the moment. There will be lots of tears both happy and sad but the blessings your family will receive are wonderful. The time will go by fast as our family found out. Seems like yesterday that our twins left for their missions to Brazil and now one has been back a year and the other 6 months.Have a great Sunday.
Stacy
Message for Annette Mortensen
I have been meaning to sent you this poem. I am an ICU nurse. I my job I see bad things happen to good people. Sometimes I question my faith and the fairness in this world. This past october a coworker of mine lost her 9yr old son in an accident and her 17 year old was left in a coma. We were told there was a slim chance he would ever recover. Two months later her son started to wake up. It will take a long time for him to recover. He is the only reason she does not fall apart. He is the reason why she wakes up and does think of the lose of her beautiful 9yr old boy. As a friend all I can do is support her anyway that I can. At her son's memorial the following poem was read.
Just for Today For Bereaved Parent
By Vicki Tushingham
Just for today I will try to live through the next 24 hours
and not expect to get over my child’s death,
but instead learn to live with it, just one day at a time.
Just for today I will remember my child’s life, not just his death,
and bask in the comfort of all those treasured days
and moments we shared.
Just for today I will forgive all the family and friends
who didn’t help or comfort me the way I needed them to.
They truly did not know how.
Just for today I will smile no matter how much I hurts on the inside,
for maybe if I smile a little,
my heart will soften and I will begin to heal.
Just for today I will reach out to comfort a relative or friend of my child,
for they are hurting too,
and perhaps we can help each other.
Just for today I will free myself from my self-inflicted burden of ¬¬guilt,
for deep in my heart I know if there was anything in this world
I could of done to save my child from death,
I would of done it.
Just for today I will honor my child’s memory
by doing something with another child
because I know that would make my own child proud.
Just for today I will offer my hand in friendship
to another bereaved parent
for I do know how they feel.
Just for today when my heart feels like breaking,
I will stop and remember that grief is the price we pay for loving
and the only reason I hurt is because
I had the privilege of loving so much.
Just for today I will not compare myself with others.
I am fortunate to be who I am
and have had my child for as long as I did.
Just for today I will allow myself to be happy,
for I know that I am not deserting him by living on.
Just for today I will accept that I did not die when my child did,
my life did go on,
and I am the only one who can make that life worthwhile once more.
God bless you. ANGELA
Lisa, I feel your mixed emotions as you anticipate saying goodbye to Kade for 2 years. I think this was the first time in my life when I knew what true sacrifice was. You are so grateful they've chosen to go on a mission and be obedient but it's so hard to have them gone. You can feel the incompleteness in your family. You experience joy and discouragement with them the whole time they are gone. I can't even type these words without getting teary eyed...
May the Lord be with your family as you experience this journey. Thanks for your example.
Kay
Lisa,
I know just how you feel. We sent our son to Portugal one year ago this week for his mission.
Know it will be hard at first and if you cry a lot it is normal. I still find tears in my eyes when I think of my son being so far from home.
I know what he is doing is the best thing he could ever do at this stage of his life.
My Heavenly Father bless your family and your special Kade!
I will be thinking of you.
Jenny C
Awww--Kade will be a man when he returns! Happy and sad! (: :(
And Happy Birthday Steve-O!!!
Awww--Kade will be a man when he returns! Happy and sad! (: :(
Hope his journey is a safe one. God Bless you Kade!!!
Happy Birthday Steve-O!!!
Good luck to Kade as he leaves for his mission. Happy Birthday to Steve and soon Sage and Lisa!!
My thoughts and prayers continue to be with the Mortenstern family as they grieve the loss of their beloved son.
Lisa,
My prayers to Kade for his safety and to you and your family for the strength while Kade is away.
I have a dear, dear friend... her son just left for his mission. I want to make some sort of binder for her to keep letters and copies of his emails. Do you have any crafty ideas??
Patti
redford@hawaii.rr.com
Wonderful blog post Lisa! Our close family friends have their son entering the following week on the 27th. I will tell him to look for Kade! His name is Teagan Landon and he is from Idaho Falls, Id. He is an amazing young man and so excited to serve.
The letter from Annette warms my heart. What an amazing family. After loosing my Mother last year, I have had non stop anxiety that something will happen to my children. I admire her strength as I can imagine the pain she is feeling. Please extend my love!
Lisa that is such an awesome picture of Kade leaning against the church. He will be a great missionary, I can tell. :o)
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