On a very special Wednesday, back in June, we received a phone call
from the post office that Cameron had a LARGE envelope in the mail.
(our postman is amazing like this...when a young man/ young woman gets
their mission papers, he calls them early to see if they want to come
and get it...its a very exciting, long awaited, time for them...so most of the time
they RUSH down to get it)
Cameron jumped from his bed (really...he meandered, but I like to pretend that he jump) and
went to the post office to pick up the long awaited for package.
He invited friends and family over to watch him open his call and see
where he was going to be serving his mission.
Dad and Ryan, couldn't control their excitement for him...two people whom he loves very much!
Cameron was called to serve in the Mexico, Mexico City East Mission,
to report to the Missionary Training Center on October 2, 2013
THE DAY finally came....after months of waiting, gathering missionary clothes,
getting passports, visa's and a new set of scriptures...months of preparation,
HE IS READY TO go out in the world and serve for 2 years.
On the way to the MTC, we took him to the restaurant of his choice for lunch...
you guessed it, it was a MEXICAN restaurant...one of our favorites!
Elder Wilkerson invited his best friend Xela, to come along...they have
been pals since they were babies and she has been his "rock" for many
years, as is her sweet family. They all have a special place in his heart.
Every time we go to "Los Hermano's" we take a picture in this spot...it only
seemed appropriate to do that again!
After lunch we got to go to a grassy area just above the MTC where
we could say our final good-byes...have our last minute chats and shed as many
tears as we wanted...IN OUR CASE, that was many. We also
took a lot of pictures and Cameron took a little "siesta" on the grass before entering
the MTC.
Deron and I have waited for many years to experience Cameron
leaving on a mission and NOW as the day has finally arrived and we had to
prepare ourselves to say "see you later"...it wasn't as much fun as it sounded 19 years
ago...it was a tough day...VERY BITTER SWEET.
As the time drew near where we had to take our "Elder Wilkerson" to the
doors of the MTC, we each got a final hug...I shed many tears and really just didn't want to
let go. As happy as I was/am...its hard to say good-bye for 2 years!!
We took a "final" little family picture before heading down to the MTC...It will be a journey
for the entire family...one that we will all benefit from...a life changing, wonderful experience!
(BUT dang its HARD)
At 1:45pm on October 2nd, we dropped Elder Wilkerson off at the curb of the MTC.
We unloaded his luggage, gave him one last QUICK hug and said "good-bye"...
one of the hardest, but happiest days of my life.
We watched him walk off with the other Elders as he began this new journey
that will grow this young boy up...coming back as a strong, courageous, valiant MAN!
People ask me if it was such a long awaited day, and we wanted him to go so bad...
....then why was it so hard, and why cry about it!?
TO THESE people I say...
I would NOT want Cameron to be in any other place, doing anything else
at this time in his life...I would be so much sadder if he was home and I would cry a lot more...
BUT saying good-bye to a child for 2 years is tough.
Mom's and their children have a special relationship
and when a son finally goes out into the big world to become a man...
its not easy to let them go...even when its the
right thing, and the best thing, and the happiest time in a mother's life...its still HARD!
BUT YES, I WANT him WHERE he is...I want him serving a mission,
I want him to experience the joys of serving the Lord, and it IS a HAPPY DAY
(just a little bitter sweet is all)
Cameron will be an amazing missionary, I have no doubt! He was excited, ready and anxious
to begin a journey that will take him to another country, speaking another language and
meeting people that he will grow to love more than anything.
TTFN (ta ta for now, as Winnie the Pooh would say)
Elder Wilkerson...
Can't wait to see you in 2 years...no longer a boy, but a MAN!
I love you always and forever!
*To read more about Elder Wilkerson's experiences over the next 2 years
you can follow/read my "missionary" blog at:
I will try to update 1-2x a week
