President and Sister Hart

We found out today (Thurs. Dec. 2, 2010) that my mom and dad have been called to be the Mission President and companion in a Portuguese speaking mission (most likely Brazil). I wasn't surprised at all. In fact, I feel like I already knew it was coming. Here's the story on how we found out:

Bridger, Graham, and I usually go over to my mom and dad's house to play on Thursdays since Jake has school. Today we went over in the afternoon. When we got there no one was home but I could tell someone had just left because the garage door light was still on. My mom's van was there but my dad's car was gone. Marge, the cleaning lady, told me "they" just left so I knew my mom and dad were together because Brooke has school.

I sent them both text messages to ask where they were but they never answered me. I was starting to get suspicious because my dad had to have taken work off to go wherever they were and he doesn't take work off often.

Finally, my mom called me around dinner time and told me that she and my dad were having dinner at the Garden downtown. She told me they had been downtown for a meeting. By this time I was putting things together. Who goes downtown for a meeting in the middle of the day and takes work off for it? Someone who is getting called on a mission.

When they got home I saw they were all dressed up and when they came and sat down in the family room I said, "You're a Mission President, aren't you?!" They tried to avoid the accusation by saying, "Well, let's wait until Barry gets home before we talk about it." That just confirmed it. Brooke was in the kitchen and I yelled to her to come in and told her they were going on a mission. We just hugged and started to cry.

My parents were very overwhelmed with the calling but they are going to be the best mission President and wife in the whole world! I'm so excited for them. But sad for us. They'll be gone for three years. They also invited Jake and our family and Brooke and Skyler to live in their house while they're gone which we are so grateful for. It'll be so nice to have a yard for the kids to play in and we'll be able to save up for a house of our own while they're gone.

The reason I wasn't surprised at all at their calling is because a few weeks ago Jake and I were talking to my mission President and his wife and I told them I thought they'd get called once my dad was out of the Stake Presidency. Well, that was supposed to end in September but they decided to call him a little early. My parents have known for a few years that they would be called soon but they couldn't tell anyone. I'm sure it's a relief for them to finally be able to tell everyone.

They will leave about July 1, 2011. They'll find out exactly what mission they'll be over in a few months. I know that they will have the best experience of their lives! I love missionary work and I wish I could go with them and serve another mission. I'll miss my mom and dad like crazy but our family will be so blessed because of their service. I'm mostly sad for my kids to not have their grandparents here for a few years. Bridger will be 5 when they get home and Graham will be almost 4. Who knows? We might even have another baby while they're gone. Hopefully, the time will fly by.