The aftermath...

Sadie was asked to write a letter of acceptance of her mission call to the Brethern.  This was a little intimidating for her-- but she did it quickly and sent it off to Salt Lake

Then the Ecuador Google searches began!  We were all very excited about her call-- Of course we got out the map (or googled one) and in a very short time all became budding experts on all things Ecuador.    Quito, we learned, is  referred to as the Florence of South America because of its European influences in architecture.

Sadie's mission is the only one in Ecuador that covers the entire West (Coast) to East (Amazon) in area... so she will get to see quite a range of landscape and culture.  Her mission also includes a little bit of Columbia.

There is a temple underway in Quito, but it won't be finished until after Sadie's mission... but at least she can talk about it as it is being built....

We were able to make a connection with a couple from Utah, the Schurtleffs, who were former mission presidents in Sadie's mission.  They were full of helpful suggestions and lots of love for the Ecuadorian people.  It was surprising to us to learn that there are over 14 indigenous tribes that live in Ecuador and each group dresses differently

Their pictures were fun to see-- and Sadie left their home feeling so excited and I felt a little less anxious about it all.

You are hereby called to serve....

It's here... we have an email!

Today was a big golf tournament for Skyview Varsity.  It was going great on the course until Roarke sent this text to Sadie, Emma and I.  Emma had checked her phone for the time (they aren't allowed to look at a phone otherwise) and she saw the text from Dad. (He had early acess to see when the call was assigned and right before the email showed up in Sadie's account.  Emma was playing in the group ahead of Sadie and dropped her club and went running to find her to tell her. 

As soon as Emma told Sadie, her golf game went downhill but Sadie didn't care-- she was giddy, even getting horrible scores.  This tournament couldn't end quick enough- we were all set up at home, ready for the big reveal at the end of the day's end.

 When she got home, she checked her email, but didn't open it until we were all ready and waiting.  (which ended up being a bit delayed because we had the pinewood derby in the evening)  We couldn't get out of there fast enough....