She's there - I think - no news is good news I guess...

I guess I didn't really know what to expect.  But I was hoping that we would hear as soon as Chelsey arrived in New Hampshire safe and sound.  That has been tough for me - that she can't check in and say she's ok and tell us how her flight was and how New Hampshire is, who her companion is and everything that she is feeling and thinking because that is what I usually get from Chelsey's many adventures...the play by play, every little detail, and always checking in with my chickadees.  But...now she is Sister Tait and I will anxiously wait for a letter or an email and pictures to see that she is doing fine.  I trust that she is doing fine and loving it and spreading sunshine everywhere she goes (after getting some sleep of course).  I'm sure she arrived safe and sound with the other 25 missionaries she was traveling with  :)

This is what I was thinking a bit earlier today but tonight I received an email from a sweet sister named Kim Smith.  She sent an email that simply said "your lovely daughter" with two pictures of Sister Tait and her companion.  I was typing an ecstatic reply when she sent another email that said this...

My name is Kim Smith and I had the privilege of meeting your daughter today.
It was wonderful to visit with her as we drove to her new apartment in Brunswick, Maine.
On the way home, I needed to pick up some drift wood for an art project.  The above picture is taken at Hills Beach in Biddeford, Maine.  The Sisters didn't seem to mind, though. I'm pretty sure they enjoyed the salty ocean air and the beauty of the rocky coast.  Sister Tait fully enjoyed the experience by taking off her shoes to walk in the sand---a beach bum already;)
Anyway, she asked that I take this picture and send it to you.  No..actually I offered because I hope that when my kids are on missions someone will do the same for me.
My impression of Sister Tait is:  well prepared.  Ready to hit the ground running without looking back.  She is reeeeeeaaaaaady!  It's so exciting to see this work being hastened and she will not waste time.
Thank you for sharing her with us.  I hope she will some day come to serve in Farmington.  I will take great care of her, as I do all the Sisters.  I love them dearly.

Kim Smith
Farmington, Maine

I wish I could let her know how very much that meant to me to be able to see her face and know that she's ok and see what she looked like as she began her first day in the New Hampshire Manchester Mission.  It looks beautiful there!  She looks beautiful, happy, ready, and I can't wait to hear from her.  Just last Monday I was at the airport sending Lindsey off on a history adventure to DC and Traci was sending Tait off as well.  I had just left her when she texted me and said she was taking pictures of missionaries and sending them to their mothers and told me to find some missionaries.  So I walked around a bit and waited and a big bunch of them came into the airport.  It was early morning and I was so excited to see them.  I didn't know any of them but felt a connection since they had just been where Chelsey was (at the MTC) and knowing that in one more week this is where Chelsey would be.  So, I started talking to them and asking them if they wanted me to take their picture and send it to their mothers.  I think I got to do it for 12 of them - sisters and elders.  I snapped their picture and texted to each one of their mothers.  It was the best random act of kindness ever!  I loved it! Thank you so much for telling me to do this Traci!!!  The elders and sisters were so excited and their moms were so excited to get a picture of their missionary leaving the airport.  It was just the best!  And now not only do I have that wonderful memory of taking pictures of these sweet elders and sisters, but I have been blessed to have the same thing done for me as a missionary mom!  What a blessing and what a special thing to get this email from Sister Smith in Farmington Maine.  Small and simple things can mean so much to someone else. What a wonderful blessing!  More news soon!

Sheri