A week from yesterday I wrote up all about my brother's final day with us prior to his mission. In a twist of events he came home much quicker than we anticipated. He flew in to Jacksonville last night, 7 days after leaving. He was released as a full-time missionary this afternoon back home in Douglas. I decided I would be frank about the situation, which I imagine people would be curious about, and hopefully save him from having to repeat over and over.
    The days since his departure have been the most challenging of his life. As soon as he boarded his first plane he said that a dark cloud of loneliness came over him. Then he met up with other missionaries for the second flight and he felt better. He got his dork dot (a symbol that he was a fresh new missionary) and met up with his companion for the next 12 days. In typical missionary style, he got put to work right away.
    The first early morning they immediately started to work on skill-sets for the mission field, including how to teach, the proper ways to do so, etc. As soon as this real training began he started to panic. He wasn't able to focus, he quit eating and daily functioning became difficult for him. He attended classes and couldn't even reply when it was his turn to speak. His feelings of lonesomeness was his biggest downfall. So he was sent to and fro, with his companion going along to the doctor's and so forth.  This caused Acey's companion to fall behind in their rigorous schedule (which truly wasn't fair to him). There are so many missionaries there that they aren't able to give too much individualized attention to a single elder, it's more of a quick training course for masses. The MTC called 5 days after he arrived to speak with my parents and said that something had to give. Acey was completely miserable and broke down when he talked on the phone to Mama and Daddy, everything just intensified. They really wanted him to stay, but the coordinator who was on the phone said that in his 5 years of being a worker in the MTC he had not seen a worse case of severe separation anxiety. He just didn't think he was ready yet. Acey was given an extra 2 days to really decide his own fate, where he steadily declined. His own health was at risk because of the aforementioned problems and it just became a medical issue as the days progressed. It became clear that, for the moment, he would not continue his mission. The MTC agreed that he would have to come home to first work on his anxiety before he would get sent into the mission field. So he flew back.
    I write this because it's hard for him, our family, our ward. It's extremely important to me to level with everyone in the hopes that he will continue to receive support and love. So many people pitched in to help him before he left and my family is exceptionally grateful for that. The MTC said, "his heart is in the right place" and we know that was true. He is a good young man with courage to try something that was scary for him but, for now, he has some things he needs to work on. We, of course, only hope that his future will be filled with the best. It's completely possible that he will go out at a later time when he feels more able to cope with all of the emotions that come with it- at this point it's just too early to tell. But despite any challenge or trial or emotion our family loves him to pieces. And it'll stay that way.

Elder Mizell Is Gone!

    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!

Temple with Acey

    It seems like my family is dwindling, as of late. I'm here in Florida, List's still in Arizona until February, Acey leaves next month- it's weird when the 6 of us all lived in small quarters for 20 years. Now, soon enough, little Granger will be the only kid at home. It's weird alright.

    Before Acey ships off, we had decided on when we would go to the Orlando Temple, and we picked last Saturday. It's an extremely sacred and special experience for us. I have felt so pleased that he, along with my Aunt Tracey and 4 other cousins, would go the first time. 26 people came down in total, more than I have heard of! It was such a joyful day for all of us.

    Every single time I enter the Temple I have a prayer in my heart. (Graham always laughs at that expression when I use it, but as a little girl I have many memories of my father telling us that as we got into bed.) My prayers almost end up being chants, because of their length and the intertwining of themes. I try to think of all the things I am grateful for, all the blessings that I realize I have, all the things I wish for others and the things I stand in need of. The morning of was similar; I have felt so at peace since then (and as mentioned in my last post, good things have been happening). A beautiful day for a beautiful experience.

     I am so happy to be a part of a faith that I love so much. I am so thrilled that Acey and Listi will be tag teaming to preach this. I have such a firm testimony that the gospel of Jesus Christ is real, and most importantly, true. 

    And it seems like for the first time in a while, I am just so untroubled, so at ease.

Acey's Letter Opening

                                                     

    When I look back at my older blog posts, certain ones bring back stronger emotions than others- List's letter opening on June 7th, 2014 was one of those. It was wonderful to see all of my close family get involved with such a special event for her. 360 days after that day (making it June 2nd 2015) we gathered together for another party in honor of my brother Acey for the exact same occasion. 

    As I have posted before, there have been so many events going on here lately for him. He has went to his senior prom, turned 18 years old, received his Eagle Scout award, graduated high school, went on his first cruise and sent in his mission papers. AKA more big events than should ever be allowed in a 7 week period. As we sailed through the Bahamas the letter was expected to arrive. Friday (when the envelope should be in) passed, then Saturday without any letter getting delivered, of course mail doesn't run on Sunday and still no letter by Monday! The worry began to increase- we had told family, friends and the Mutual program to meet with us on Tuesday evening to open it. A fine event that would be: important mission call letter opening without the letter. Great idea. I prayed fiercely that my parent's mail would run early on Tuesday in order to give me an idea if I needed to travel 2.5 hours upstate or not. I won't even mention the fact that the location contained in that envelope was enough to drive any curious person crazy. 

    Tuesday morning rolled around, Mama and I had concocted a plan. If the letter would arrive that day we would still hold the party, if not we would try to have it on Friday with hopes of it coming in the mail between then. Knowing the postman could come anytime between 2 and 4 o'clock, I messaged Mama to check the mail at 2:02. Her response 5 minutes later was a picture of the LARGE WHITE ENVELOPE containing important info on Acey's next 2 years. It was here! Finally! Praise be! And a hallelujah to boot! 

    Immediately I had to rush out the door with my train of ideas and box of decorations to get there in time. Speeding all the way to Folkston I met Mama and Grandma who rushed me back to Douglas (we decided to leave my car halfway since it can't be trusted for a big trek). By the time we got to the church there were several cars parked outside, just waiting for the big news. I barked out orders for others to assist in decorating, luckily sweet family and friends consented. In a very quick time frame we transformed the Relief Society room and a section of the gym; there was a mixture of a global and outdoorsy theme throughout. I thought that it was very cute and fitting to Acey's personality.

    Using a huge world map I had put up, all of the guests were invited to add their guesses. The United States was filled with stars and name tags, only a few out of the country ones could be seen. I had secretly kept my thoughts of him being sent to the Ukraine to myself; I had recently heard many new elders were being sent to Kiev. I prayed for understanding and Acey's excitement, despite where he would go. So I stuck my Boston, Mass and Kiev, Ukraine stickers on.

    The Bishop got the show started at 7pm. Graham had just arrived, luckily, and we were waiting on my Daddy. The thought was focused on the boy of the hour's willingness to go, particularly Listi's contribution to that. It was an emotional intro. Next up was Mama who shared her thoughts on Acey's decision and her pride in him. As she spoke old Jacob Mizell showed up and we were ready! 

                                 

    I asked everyone to please be quiet as he read the entirety of his letter. As he stood I could see he was a little nervous. He excitedly tipped his letter open. He began, "Dear Elder Acey Mizell, you are hereby called to serve as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the New Zealand Hamilton mission." Mouths dropped, eyes bulged and hands clapped together! My grandparents bit their nails hoping for his safety. The rest was a blur for me, I was far too excited to decipher whatever else he said. 

As he read the words: New Zealand!

    What! NZ: home of the hobbits! My dream destination! And my baby brother was able to go! And wait! I could pick him up! (Yes every thought did end in exclamations at this point.) It took a minute to sink in that he would be sent to the other side of the world to those island people. What an amazing adventure he would be blessed to go on. And to think he requested to stay in the United States :)

    As he read I asked Mama when did he report, because as I jumped up and down I missed the announcement. The answer? October 8th at the New Zealand MTC speaking the English language, to his relief. (So much for Mama flying him out to Provo!) He read onward to parts which said he was recommended as one worthy to serve in this capacity, signed President Thomas S. Monson. He lowered his paper and the room exploded with applause! Without having the integrity to contain myself I ran up to Acey and asked him what he thought. He was still trying to gather those up when I showed him where it was located on the map. This large island in the Pacific near Fiji and Australia. I put my hands on his shoulders to let him see how magical I thought this would be for him. His eyes widened and he said, "Wait what! All the way over there?!" 

    And we all laughed wholeheartedly. Everyone came over to congratulate him, shake his hand or hug him. Without making this too much about me, Mama stopped and said, "I want to let everyone know that Lacey said on the ride over she wished he would go to New Zealand so she had an excuse to go!" How is that for good guesswork? I guess we will call it a little bit of sister's intuition.

    No one from Douglas, Georgia had been called to that location prior to him, but furthermore, none had ever been sent to a location as far as that one either! Elder Mizell is already making an impact. This really caused me to think about how important Acey must be to the missionary work over there, what a joy.

    The rest of the evening the crowd ate pizza, a missionary name-tag cake and ran around taking pictures. Everyone was still a little got-away with, so they inspected the map and globe, respectively, with interest. We documented with many video snippets and photographs.

    It's hard to find a decent stopping point because there is so much that could be said. But I'll just leave with a quick testimony- I know Acey is doing the right thing. I know that missionary work is true and hard and fun. I know that New Zealand is going to be a wonderful place to spend 2 years of his life. I know that the people will love and take care of him (as Tucsonians have for Listi). I know that he is going to be blessed beyond measure for serving the Lord. And I know I love him lots ;)

    I am so excited for this chapter in his life. Just think- he's going to New Zealand 4 months from today! I still need to pinch myself.

The Month of Acey

    Okay guys, I really want to express my appreciation for everyone who reached out to me after my last post. Those who went through it, knew someone who had or feared that they themselves would approached me. I received numerous texts, emails and just had people come up to me to talk- I truly can not put into words how much that meant to me. I know how personal and difficult it can be to discuss, so I am honored to be able to have that shared with me. I am so grateful for the wonderful people in my life.

I had to steal this from Listi. Can you say RAGAMUFFINS? Btw- wearing slides and socks before it was cool. OK!

    On a completely different note! This past month has been a good one because there has been lots to do, and almost everyone of them has been based on my brother Acey. Yep, I know what you're thinking- you have a brother with the almost exact same name? Yes I do! And this boy is awesome.

◘He turned 18 on April 25th.

◘He received his Eagle Scout Award on April 28th.

◘He turned in his mission papers on May 7th.

◘He graduated from Seminary on May 17th.

◘He graduated from High School on May 23rd.

◘He is currently packing for his first cruise.


    Well, the last one is just what's going on right now, nothing to it, just as a reward for all of his hard work. So just look at those accomplishments! With the exception of the birthday, he has had to work extremely hard to qualify for these things and he deserves recognition. As a matter of fact, I am most proud of his desire for missionary service, his letter (which contains all of the information as to when and where he will go) is getting put in the mail TODAY. This young man is growing up so much faster than I thought possible. Congratulations Acey! Never forget how special you are to me. I am so proud to be your sister. I love you so dang much. Now please enjoy a photo dump and a video of our 3 boy's graduation at the tail end of this post.