Final Preparations

I knew this day would come but didn't realise how fast it would happen.  The 24 hours leading up to Ryan leaving were a whirlwind of activity.  Finally, finally, finally, Ryan's passport with Visa inside arrived on Tuesday, 15th May, around lunchtime.  Talk about in the nick of time.  Tuesday was the last day that his passport could come if they were to send him so that he could arrive in the UK on 16th May.  It was an emotional time for both of us because he wanted to go when he was supposed to and I wanted that for him too.  I guess that I need to have more faith sometimes.

Once the Visa arrived there was emails going back and forth to Fiona Alexander from Missionary Services in Sydney so that she could organise flights for Ryan.  By around 4pm we had the flight details.  It would definitely be an early start with Ryan's flight leaving from Devonport at 6:30am.

At first Fiona said that it looked like he would be going at 10am which really is a more respectable time but it didn't work out that way.  In the end I am really glad that he was leaving at 6:30am because it meant that we didn't have to wait around all day and could get our goodbyes over - after all that is always the hardest part.

Before Ryan could leave on his mission the other thing that had to happen was that he needed to be set apart for his service by President Scott Prebble.  Our family travelled to Deloraine where we met with him.  Lucy Gorniak was also being set apart and her family were there too.  A really special time for both of our families. Both the blessings given were awesome.

I know that these two will be wonderful missionaries and bless the lives of many in England through their 2 years (Ryan) and 18 months (Lucy) of service.  I also know that it will be an awesome experience for both of them.