Getting Ready - Clothing

You may not know this, but Emma hates shopping. Her Mam, also despises shopping - unless it's for shoes. So, we went shopping for appropriate clothing to serve the Lord.

“As an ambassador of the Lord you are to wear professional, conservative clothing that is consistent with your sacred calling and that will clearly identify you as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” - Dress and Grooming Guidelines for Missionaries

What? No spandex, mini skirts, tube tops? Great . . . now what? Honestly, trying to find clothes for a young adult that isn't spandex, mini or tube is nearly impossible. Why does the world want everyone to dress like they are headed to "da club"?

Anyway . . . We went to the Sister Missionary Mall in Orem,  (yep, this is an actual store in Utah) which is about an hour and a half south of where we live. They were awesome, and had ideas and suggestions and checklists to help us get all the things Emma might need. Then I sold my house to buy it all - okay, just kidding. Prices were very reasonable, it's just overwhelming when you are buying a completely new wardrobe that needs to last 18 months or so.
Also, this is basically how Emma posed for every picture as we were trying to determine what goes together and how she can mix and match.  Fashion show! 

She's fun, and I'm going to miss her craziness being right by me . . . but I'm so excited for her too!

"Special Day"

In preparation for her mission, Emma had the opportunity to go to the LDS Temple in Payson, Utah.

"LDS temples are holy places of worship where individuals make sacred covenants (promises) with God. Temples are places of learning and their principal purpose is to provide ordinances necessary for the children of God to enable them to return to dwell with Him. The Lord blesses those who attend to the sacred ordinance work in the temple. And the blessings He gives will not be limited to the time spent in the temple. Those who do temple work will be blessed in all aspects of their lives. Their labors in the temple will strengthen them and refine them spiritually." (True to the Faith)

LDS Prophet, Thomas S. Monson has said of temples:

"As I think of temples, my thoughts turn to the many blessings we receive therein. As we enter through the doors of the temple, we leave behind us the distractions and confusion of the world. Inside this sacred sanctuary, we find beauty and order. There is rest for our souls and a respite from the cares of our lives."

This was definitely a day of rest for our souls, and a much needed break from the cares of our lives.