Since missionaries go to nearly every part of the world, there were lots of guesses where he would be called. It's not decided by the missionary but by the leaders of the church. Some guessed South Africa while others were thinking he'd remain in the States or possibly South America. No one expected him to have two calls, but that's exactly what happened, and yet it's not the first time for our family.
Let me explain by stepping back into yesteryear when my brother Nathan got his mission call in 2005. It's such a momentous occasion to receive that crisp white manila envelope in the mail and opening the paper up in front of family. What Nathan didn't know (and I had no clue as well) was that our oldest brother Ryan had swapped the envelopes and recreated everything to read that Nathan was called to Elko, Nevada to serve a mission for two years.
I can barely stand driving through Elko to get to my grandparents in northern California let alone fathom having to live there for two years, so I struggled showing the proper enthusiasm for him. His body slumped when he read it as well, but he remained dignified.
What I didn't get was that my brother and sister in law could not stop laughing at his reaction. I thought they were being SO rude and was quite vocal as I lectured them to be supportive. I aslo didn't know that it was all an elaborate prank, so I kept prattling on and on about how it was a good place (okay, I fibbed a bit) and how wonderful it will be, while even my mom was cracking up at Nathan's bummed look.
Finally Ryan pulled out the real envelope and told Nathan it was just a joke. He literally collapsed on the floor and starting crying in relief.
The whole atmosphere calmed and became heartwarming as Nathan opened his call to Ukraine, Dnepropetrovsk mission, Russian speaking. Immediately he felt it was the right place for him.
Nathan (on the right) loved experiencing another culture and learned so much from the Ukranian people, but he always hated how punked he got from his mission call experience, so he vowed he'd do the same to a younger sibling.
Since he was still in Ukraine when Eric got his call to Ribeiro Preto, Brazil, nothing terribly exciting happened during that brother's call, though mixed up paperwork and inaccurate information almost prevented him from leaving at all. Through divine intervention it all came together.
Needless to say, it was a pretty uneventful but awesome mission for Eric (middle).So, Brandon, the baby of the family, was the last sibling left to prank. We knew the drill of getting the envelope and speculating whether it was foreign or stateside based off of the postage price, but I don't know how accurate that really is.
It arrived and we all gathered that evening with some of Brandon's friends to see him open it up. He read, Billings, Montana, and everyone kind of waited for it to soak in that he was going to a place so close by before congratulating him.
Finally the joke was called, Nathan pulled out the real envelope and stated, "Payback's a bee-otch."
Everyone laughed then excitedly listened as a nervous Brandon opened his call to Romania, Bucharest. Maps were pulled out, and sudden geography lessons were taking place as everyone sincerely congratulated him.
I'm so proud of all the missionaries from my family and the integrity they've developed as they served the Lord in multiple continents.
From Colorado, Denver with my Dad to California, San Bernadino with the eldest, Chris joined in with the Scotland, Edinbugh mission shortly followed by my brother Matt to the England London South mission. Two years after that Nathan went and two years after that Eric followed but in Brazil. We have many cousins that have been everywhere from
New Zealand to France. From the Honduras to Washington DC. Both our grandparents on my mom and dad's side have served missions as older couples.
This church service has made men about of boys, bi-lingualists and honest, good people. We are all so blessed, even if it takes a prank to get the ball rolling!
