T'was the night before

 Yesterday, was my birthday. We celebrated it in true Alford style. Meaning we had a great dinner, great dessert, very loud and obnoxious singing and wonderful presents. I kept my mind off of the fact that Jared and Jessica would be leaving today. Then, because it was late and I had gone back to work and was extremely tired I went to bed around 9:00. Only to wake up with lots of tender feelings at 2: 00 am. My mind is turned to my sweet children. I love them so very much. I can't believe that they will be flying away in a few short hours. Life as we know it will never be the same. All of my babies have grown and are now soaring high! It is the moment in their lives that is much anticipated but also as it gets closer much dreaded. The moment when they leave. I am so blessed to have such amazing children. 

    Jared has been a delight. I have loved watching him grow. So bare with me as I reminisce for a few moments.  Jared is the second son, but he is the 6th child of 7. Yes, that means he has 5 sisters! He came into my life about 1 year after my sweet Daddy left this world. He was and is a comfort and a blessing. He came with his sweet sister Jessica.  Together they have been lighting the world. The moment I was told they would be twins my heart grew. It expanded and exploded with love for these two amazing spirits that Father in Heaven was blessing my life. I knew that they were special and I knew that they would do great things. The two of them did not like to be parted. They had to sleep in the same crib or else they would cry. Even in the womb they had to have their heads together. Just recently, I took a picture of them sitting in the back seat of our truck holding hands. Their bond is like no other. Jared has always been extremely adventurous. It wasn't long that I learned that he would constantly bring my heart the jolts of fear and pride. For example, He was about 2 years old when I had to go looking for him. I couldn't find him. I looked and looked. We were at the church building in Leesville, Louisiana.  I had my family help start looking. Where was he found you might ask.  He was found in a tree. A tree that there was no apparent way for him to climb. He was climbing ever after! I found him climbing on the counter. He was reaching to the top of the refrigerator and passing candy down to Jessica as Jessica watched for anyone coming! As he grew, he showed a love for children. His heart has a great capacity for love.  He became a pied piper of little children. They always wanted to be around him. I have found him reading his scriptures and his answer to every family home evening question for years was Jesus Loves Us. His teen years were filled with normal teenage growing pains and he did struggle for a bit but even through that I had a faith and knowledge that he would do as the Lord commanded. The moment he decided to get his patriarchal blessing was a beautiful moment for me. Then sitting in with him as he was given this great blessing. I will not give specifics for this is a sacred blessing but he has been greatly blessed! I could tell that he was touched by the Holy Spirit. 

    All throughout the end of his senior year in high-school  he was making decisions. Many people, including myself, were asking him what he was going to do after high-school. At one point he started saying it was a secret.  I prayed and prayed that he would decide to serve a mission. Then one day at the dinner table Jared announced that he was going to serve a mission. Of course tears of joy filled my eyes! I was so thankful that he had decided to serve. We had a lot to do. But I knew that our Father in Heaven would make it all possible. It wasn't long after Jared told us that he would be serving that he called us all into the living room. It was a Sunday so the whole family was together once again and He was holding Jessica's hand. He said, " Jessica has something she wants to say." She told us that she was going to serve a mission as well! Another moment of great joy! 

    It has been with great help from our Father in Heaven using his earthly angels that we have been able to get these 2 great spirits ready to serve.  I will not even try to list everyone who has blessed them with gifts because I would miss someone but I can see the Father's hand in it all. Jessica was told in a blessing that if she desired to serve then the Lord would make it possible and He did. 

    So here I am, at almost 3 am, awake, wanting to stretch out the hours so that I can keep holding on!  I imagine that I am feeling as the mother's of the stripling warriors felt. (Well maybe not quite as I am not sending them out to mortal danger) Worried as they go out but with complete faith that my Father in Heaven will guide and protect them. I am so extremely blessed to watch the faith of these two valiant children of our loving Father in Heaven grow. I know that they will be a great blessing to the lives of those they come in contact. I know that they are called of God! Go forth and Share the gospel to all the world my beautiful babies! I love you eternally,

Momma