Raspberry Road

March 27, 2026

I was in Jeni’s car with her and her kids, driving home from St George. We were dropping off Blake at his house because he came with us. Kalli got a call and it was Ren telling her to have me check my phone. He had tried to call me but my phone was in the car. I don’t always have it on me, we were just running in for a sec. He tried to call Jeni, and Jayci too. I actually love that. When they can’t get a hold of me they call others to track me down. I feel needed and important. Check your phone, they say. This time I thought he must need me to transfer some money to his account, or from a payment from Venmo. He’s selling clothes and using my Venmo account, so I swap money around. It feels good to keep connected that way. I checked my phone and he sent this text:

He got his mission call! Late Friday afternoon! soo exciting! About 12 days after he turned it in.

Now that he actually has his call, I got butterflies. My body felt nervous and excited. We got ready at the house for everyone to come over at 9:30. Nick bought a bunch of Walmart donuts and we cleaned up. It’s such a happy exciting time. And I had big time butterflies. Oh gosh where is it going to be. Two years is a long time, I don’t want him to go, but I really do also.. we will miss him so much, and this will be so good. I’ve done this before. Two times. Cole and Eric. Both very different experiences, but I know what to expect for the most part. I’m grateful for that.

When everyone gathered there was excitement in the air, filled with love. Cole’s friend Brigham said the prayer. At the end he said- we’re grateful that Ren can serve a mission. We know that he will go where you desire him to be.

At that moment I felt a confirmation in my heart that that was true. God wants him to go where he is going, and that will be good. The butterflies calmed, and I felt peace. That was a special moment.

Ren read his call:

!!!!! Sierra Leone Bo! We were kind a shocked. Is this where his best friend from Florida is serving?? The first thing we were thinking. Can that be. Wow! Yes he is in Sierra Leone, but the other mission Freetown, right next door. Wow.

I felt peace. Shocked. Good. Africa. Wow.

Interesting… I’ve had a feeling of Africa in my mind since when Eric was getting his call. I thought pretty strongly that I could see Eric in Africa, with those cute dark kids – they would love each other. I thought maybe he would go there, but he got called to Colombia and so I was like ok not Africa. Didn’t really think of it again~ and Colombia was a wonderful place for Eric.

A few weeks ago when we were wondering where Ren might get called, we all felt that he could go anywhere. In the states, or another country. Anywhere really. Someone mentioned Africa, and the thought came back to me. I could see Africa for Ren. He could go there. There was a certain feeling in my heart that was faint but there, and didn’t know why. We had always joked that he would get called to Ben’s mission, knowing there’s no way that would actually happen.

We all hugged and talked excitedly. It was such a fun night. Family and friends are happy and give us all such loving attention. It is special.

Also- A good friend in REN’s group is Kristian. He is not a member of our church. Such a cool guy, friendly and polite. Randomly he was giving his sister a ride home and his mom was coming to pick her up. Kristian invited his mom and sister to come inside and hear REN’s call. I hadn’t met them before. It was fun to introduce myself to them and talk to them. They are tall, skinny and beautiful 🙂 sweet fun people. His mom, Melissa, said she had never been to a mission call opening before. It was special to meet them and have them there. she recorded it on her phone and thought it was a fun night. She thought it was cool that he was going somewhere so different far away 😉

That night I was thinking of my thoughts about Africa. I felt from the spirit that my heart knew we were going to have experiences with Africa. That those people and the growing gospel there had a special place in my heart. Like it already knew those experiences happened, my heart could feel the love I was going to have for them. In the future. My heart already knew that love like it already happened. And it was so good. It’s hard to explain, but I felt that weird bending of time and feelings. It felt right and special. Like I got a sneak peak of the love I will have for this experience of Ren serving in Africa, before it has happened.

It felt really sacred and special. And at the same time I did feel the weight of this mission. It’s hard. It’s far away and different. It’s a lot of work and prep, and not an easy place to be. I felt that too. It’s hot, not great living conditions and food. Malaria and typhoid sickness. I’ve been reading lots of missionary letters the last 7 years. Cole, Eric, all their friends and family, and Ella’s friends. Such great experiences. But only Ben’s letters had made me think- poor kid! His mission is so physically hard. I felt bad for him that he was in crazy conditions and getting sick and all the things. And now Ren is going there! Yikes.

Of course. It still feels right. He can do it. He is tough. He will learn so much. He will be humbled and grow and be so grateful for life here. And the gospel is on fire there! What amazing spiritual experiences he will have, and our family will have supporting him. We get to be a part of this. The gathering of Israel in real time in great numbers! How miraculous. When I talk to people, and the other Sierra Leone missionary moms, they tell the craziest wildest stories their boys are going through. AND how they love it! They love the people so much! It is so great. Both things. Very hard. And very rewarding. Isn’t that how it goes?! The more we sacrifice and give, the more rewarding the blessings. It is true. I have seen it many times in my life. Oh it’s so hard. As hard as it possibly can be. To the breaking point. And then then blessings come. The spirit comes. Love. And goodness. And God’s gifts. They are priceless. So wonderful. And worth it. And that’s what we want. We do want that goodness. Even with the crazy hard.

I was able to share those thoughts with Ren. He feels it too. They go together. And we are up for it. We want to be a part of it. I’m really looking forward to it. And also feeling the stress of the hard parts. We can do this! Ren can do this ♡ ♡ ♡