Just before Cadence came home from BYU she received her mission call for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
For those of you who don't know what that means. . . young men & women (18+) are given an option to serve as a missionary for our church somewhere in the world for anywhere from 12 months - 24 months. The average young man serves for 24 months & the average young woman serves for 18. These young people spend those 2 years exclusively serving the people of the area they are assigned & called to serve in. This service can be almost anything: building or cleaning homes, disaster relief, teaching English or other languages, working in food kitchens, helping widows or those who need help, digging, weeding, supporting where support is needed, & more. They help with church programs & activities for our church in their area & teach others about the gospel of Jesus Christ if asked about what they believe. These two years these young people refrain from listening to most music, watching movies & TV, using electronics & cell phones for things other than service related things, swimming, & more. Their entire two years is focused on becoming like our Savior Jesus Christ & serving those around them as he would. It is not easy. It is not for everybody. These young people choose to go & they serve with all their hearts. It's a life changing experience!!
Cadence has been looking forward to going on a mission her whole life. While at University she completed the necessary paperwork & medical appointments needed to get a mission call. Toward the end of April, she received her official mission call to the:
Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar Mission
speaking the Mongolian language
In September she will report to the missionary training center in Provo, UT for 3 months where she will learn the Mongolian language. Then in December she will be on her way to spend 1.5 years in Mongolia serving the people there. We've learned that a large portion of her mission will be teaching the English Language, but she will also be helping build gers (the huts they live in there) as well as just serving the community in any ways that she is needed. She is beyond excited.
As a mom, I will admit I'm a little nervous about the -50 to -70 degree winters. . . the lack of drinking water, & the prospect of her serving in areas without running water or sewage systems. She will have to learn how to shower with water bottles, layer clothing so she doesn't freeze, hike up mountains to talk to people, & eat things I would never dream of eating. When she is serving in the city, she will having running water (though it must be boiled to drink) & indoor plumbing so that's great. It's going to be a big adventure for her. I'm so excited for her.
Part of going on a mission for our church includes getting to go to the temple for the first time. We helped some Albanian friends by taking them to the temple with us because they needed a ride too. We enjoyed getting to know them as we drove to Frankfurt.
Cadence was so beautiful getting ready to go through the temple. What a special day for her.
I especially loved being with her the entire time. I felt like I got to experience It all with her. Trek & I are so very proud of the young woman she has become.
Cadence is SO excited to serve the Mongolian people!
After the temple, we drove to Frankfurt city to celebrate with some lunch at 5 Guys. We ran into a little bratwurst stand called "Hanz & Franz" which is a hilarious inside joke for our family. We took a picture & sent it to Lorien to make her laugh.
Anytime we go to the Frankfurt Temple, we always stop by 5 Guys for dinner afterward. We miss 5 Guys from the states & it's really the best burgers you'll find in Germany so we enjoy going every now & again.
Frankfurt City is always beautiful. Living in Europe will never get old. It's just too amazing.
Congratulations, Cadence. We are so proud of you.
Mongolia is lucky to have you for 1.5 years!
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