Elder Mizell Is Gone!

Wednesday, October 7, 2015


    After months of saying it, the day finally came for Acey to leave us for his mission. He has had a wonderful time preparing. Family has helped gather the many, many things he will require for the next 2 years. I've been just about to burst at the seams to share about it all, but I decided to wait until he left before really getting down in the nitty gritty.
    About 2/3 weeks ago problems began popping up. First Acey's elbow and wrist were broken, which makes moving his 100 lbs (YES 100 lbs!) of luggage very difficult. Less than a week before he was supposed to leave for New Zealand his passport and visa were delivered. Unfortunately, the packaged was left in a position where the dog had access. By the time Acey made it home it was in 50 small pieces. The mission office stated that his entire flight situation would need to be rearranged and they sent him a new schedule requiring him to fly into the Provo MTC as opposed to the Auckland MTC. The most recent update is that his passport is en route to a lady named Marcy in Texas- who knows.
    With all of this is going on, he is gradually getting more nervous and time is whittling down. Last night I was getting worked up because they still hadn't made it to my home (where they were planning to stay) and I wanted to spend as much time with him as possible. At midnight my parents and brothers showed up; we spent an hour chatting and getting ready for bed. As he laid on the palette, I sat adjacent in my armchair and wrote him a looong letter, filled with what I thought he should hear. I tucked it into his carry-on and fell asleep.
    Three and a half hours later we left for the airport. Anxiety was so palpable it could be sliced with a knife. As soon as we arrived, at 5:25 or so, we checked his luggage and walked to the security. Despite the early hour, the line for security was extremely long. We lingered about for 10 minutes, then began to look to look in earnest for Grandma and Aunt Sheila, who had drove in to see him off. Eventually he stood in the line as Grandma walked up. We took a few photos as he neared the entrance point that we couldn't enter. It seemed like those moments were fast forwarded. Granger hugged him. I hugged him, and I was proud that I only got a little choked up as I kissed his cheek. Mama teared up and hugged him. He reached over to hug Daddy and I heard a tiny, mangled gutteral sound leave him as he finally let his emotions get the best of him. The two of them are the best of friends and I know they will particularly miss each other. Immediately after this, he straightened up and entered the next line. We stood around and saw him close- up twice more as he paced the swiveling waiting line. Finally he entered security and we watched as he took the exit for his terminal, he didn't even look back. We walked back to the car, still shocked that it was over. His time with us was spent, for now. As we pulled off we saw his plane soaring across the black sky. And this chapter of his life closed.
    Acey called for a moment when he arrived in Salt Lake City, thanks to the kindness of a shuttle driver. He flew from Atlanta with several other elders and was already making friends. He was gearing up to enter the MTC.
    I am so proud of him. He is doing such a great work! I ask for your prayers at this time as he endures this part of his life. I know that if he puts his trust in the Lord he will be successful. We are just so grateful for his decision and love him so much!





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Elder Mizell Is Gone!

Wednesday, October 7, 2015


    After months of saying it, the day finally came for Acey to leave us for his mission. He has had a wonderful time preparing. Family has helped gather the many, many things he will require for the next 2 years. I've been just about to burst at the seams to share about it all, but I decided to wait until he left before really getting down in the nitty gritty.
    About 2/3 weeks ago problems began popping up. First Acey's elbow and wrist were broken, which makes moving his 100 lbs (YES 100 lbs!) of luggage very difficult. Less than a week before he was supposed to leave for New Zealand his passport and visa were delivered. Unfortunately, the packaged was left in a position where the dog had access. By the time Acey made it home it was in 50 small pieces. The mission office stated that his entire flight situation would need to be rearranged and they sent him a new schedule requiring him to fly into the Provo MTC as opposed to the Auckland MTC. The most recent update is that his passport is en route to a lady named Marcy in Texas- who knows.
    With all of this is going on, he is gradually getting more nervous and time is whittling down. Last night I was getting worked up because they still hadn't made it to my home (where they were planning to stay) and I wanted to spend as much time with him as possible. At midnight my parents and brothers showed up; we spent an hour chatting and getting ready for bed. As he laid on the palette, I sat adjacent in my armchair and wrote him a looong letter, filled with what I thought he should hear. I tucked it into his carry-on and fell asleep.
    Three and a half hours later we left for the airport. Anxiety was so palpable it could be sliced with a knife. As soon as we arrived, at 5:25 or so, we checked his luggage and walked to the security. Despite the early hour, the line for security was extremely long. We lingered about for 10 minutes, then began to look to look in earnest for Grandma and Aunt Sheila, who had drove in to see him off. Eventually he stood in the line as Grandma walked up. We took a few photos as he neared the entrance point that we couldn't enter. It seemed like those moments were fast forwarded. Granger hugged him. I hugged him, and I was proud that I only got a little choked up as I kissed his cheek. Mama teared up and hugged him. He reached over to hug Daddy and I heard a tiny, mangled gutteral sound leave him as he finally let his emotions get the best of him. The two of them are the best of friends and I know they will particularly miss each other. Immediately after this, he straightened up and entered the next line. We stood around and saw him close- up twice more as he paced the swiveling waiting line. Finally he entered security and we watched as he took the exit for his terminal, he didn't even look back. We walked back to the car, still shocked that it was over. His time with us was spent, for now. As we pulled off we saw his plane soaring across the black sky. And this chapter of his life closed.
    Acey called for a moment when he arrived in Salt Lake City, thanks to the kindness of a shuttle driver. He flew from Atlanta with several other elders and was already making friends. He was gearing up to enter the MTC.
    I am so proud of him. He is doing such a great work! I ask for your prayers at this time as he endures this part of his life. I know that if he puts his trust in the Lord he will be successful. We are just so grateful for his decision and love him so much!





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