Riley's Mission Farewell

This whole day seemed surreal.  I have been to many other farewells, but this one didn't seem real.  Obviously, this mission thing hasn't totally set in yet.  So many of our friends and family made the trip to support Riley.  He gave such an amazing farewell talk.  He was assigned the topic of testimony and true conversion.  He blew it out of the water.  The spirit was so strong while he was speaking.  I couldn't hardly believe that this was the same little boy that we have raised.  His testimony was so strong and there were many teary eyes in the congregation when he was done.  After sacrament we came back to our house to have brunch.  Our house was full of people who love Riley.  It was an awesome sight.

I wish I had more pictures to show everyone that was here.  It was crazy.  We had a steady stream of people coming in to give their best wishes to the future missionary.  It was a good day!

Riley's Mission Call

Riley's mission call came last Friday.  I saw the mailman put it in the mailbox.  I let it sit out there while I got ready for the day thinking that Riley would get up and I could tell him to go out and get it. He didn't, so I ran out and got it and left it on the table for him to find when he finally got up for the day.

It was amazing how much power that envelope had over me.  I suddenly became an emotional basket case.  I was already getting ready to go grocery shopping and I couldn't get out of the house fast enough and to try to get my mind on something else.  It literally was making my stomach hurt.  When Riley got up and saw it he sent me a text that read, "Holy crap holy crap holy crap! It came!"  It made me smile when I read it.  When I got home we discussed when he was going to open it.  He had to work that day and wouldn't be home until late, so we decided it would have to be Saturday night.  Originally I only wanted his grandparents and Annie to be here for the opening.  Riley agreed that he didn't want a bunch of people over, but he put it our on Instagram and we ended up with a house full of his friends and family.  It was awesome.  As everyone was coming in, Chris put together a list of the places that they thought he was going.  It was interesting to hear some of them.  Here is what everyone thought -

Mom - TN

Dani - Alaska

Parker - AZ

Dad - Eastern Block

Alivia - Australia

Carson - Russia

Trish - NC or Guam

Annie - Germany

Mike Farley - Price Utah

Matt Field- Africa

Kimberly Field - Wisconsin

Mike Carlton - Brazil 

Quinlyn Smith - NY

Makalya Smith - Ecuador

Morgan Smith - Australia

Ryan Smith - Orlando FL

Shelli Smith - Alaska, NY, or Denmark

Danni Windom - Russia

Grandma Rosalie - Switzerland

Grandma Field - Hawaii

Grandpa Field - France

Aunt Liz -California

Henry Farley - China (Hong Kong)

Sandra Farley - NY

Trevor  Farley - Califronia

Tyson Farley - Oregon

Sam Farley - Michigan

Andrew Farley - Missouri

Thomas Farley - South Dakota

Paige Farley - Ecuador

Amy Crosland -  Texas

Brianna Teuscher - Louisiana

Scott Walker - NY

Annekke Walker - Lithuania

Adam Gibby - Chile

Ian Walker - Bible Belt

Amelia Walker - NY or Italy

Pro-creator (AKA Chris)  - Canada

Jordan - Equatorial New Guinea

Courtney Ricks -  Uruguay

Tessa Carr - Russia

Paige Pincock - Taiwan     

Kami Baird - Canada

Birdie (Makenzie Bird) - New Zealand 

Here Riley is before the big moment that would determine the next two years of his life -

His supportive little sister -

 Riley was so nervous that he couldn't get the envelope open.  He tried using a razor blade and I was worried he was going to take his finger off so we made him use a butter knife -

Drum roll please -

California, Santa Rosa Mission reporting to the MTC on June 8th!  That is only 5 weeks away!!!  We were all a little shocked at how soon he reports.

Back story on this next picture.  When Liz came in we asked her where she thought Riley was going.  She said, "He is going to California."  She answered with no hesitation.  She was so certain it was California.  We all teased her a little because she was so sure.  So when Riley read his call, Liz couldn't get through the crowd of people fast enough so she could give him a hug.  She was right and she was so excited for him.  This is my favorite picture from the whole night!

I am still in shock that this has all happened.  I'm not sure if it is ever going to settle in.  I just hope that the next two years go as fast as everything else is going these days.  I know Riley is going to make an awesome missionary and that there are people waiting for him in California that are ready to be taught about the gospel.  We are sure going to miss him here, but this is going to be such a great experience for him.  We love you Riley!!