.another.missionary.

Welp so far in the year 2013 the Pinnock family has had 3 grandchildren open mission calls. Sarah to Argentina, Stephen to Italy along with Josh. I was surprised to hear that my cousin Rachel had received her call in the mail yesterday. I didn't think she was putting in her papers in until the end of the summer. We all gathered together at Nate and Ali's house to anticipate where Rachel was called to. I sat there with my cousin Sarah and we watched another one of us Famous Four open a mission call. It's so surreal to me to see Rachel who has been one of my best friends since the day she was born embark on an amazing experience.

Dear Sister Pinnock,

You are hereby called to serve as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. You are called to labor in the Puerto Rico, San Juan mission! Reporting to the DOMINICAN REPUBLIC MTC!

I am so happy for this girl! I am so proud of her decision to serve a mission and I know that the people of Puerto Rico are going to love her!

Good speed Sister Pinnock!

.what.i.think.

I don't know how it is at your university, but I feel like at BYU the professors all gather together in secret meetings. And in these meetings they discuss when they are giving out tests, assignments and projects. Then they make an evil plan to hand out those tests, assignments and projects on the very same week. And with an evil burst of laughter that plan goes into action.

Yup. That's probably it. Or that's just my migraine thinking. Or the fact that I am sincerely stressed out to the point where I want to cry. Or that's really happening on a weekly basis. Or I'm just starving. Probably all of the above. Dang you professors and your secret, evil meetings.

.god.is.good.

I know you have all seen bunches of posts on Facebook about a historical evening the Pinnock family witnessed last night but I just have to blog about it. Without knowing, cousins, Josh and Stephen put their mission papers in on the same day. We had planned on watching them open their calls on March 6th since that was the day we expected their calls to come....however....they didn't arrive. Josh and Stephen, being the amazing boys they are, didn't mind one bit. Stephen would tell me, "It's okay! I've been called and it will come eventually. That's all that matters. I'm not worried one bit!" What a guy! March 7th comes around and I receive a text from my mom: "It came!!" And as luck would have it, Josh's came too. Welp...saddle up! Time for lives to change in just a sentence or two! 

We all gathered at my Uncle Jon and Aunt Laura's house for this moment.  A few minutes before they opened their calls I told Jon that they had to go to the same country...they just had to. Not the same mission...but we were hoping at least the same country. In past conversations our family had talked about predictions as to where we thought Stephen would go. My mom was convinced he was going to the Philippines. I thought either New York or Italy. Jess thought Italy...only because she WANTED him to go there (she is our little Italian). We gathered around these two boys (okay men...) and anticipated to hear the assignment of where they were to serve the Lord for the next 2 years. Stephen, being the oldest of the 2, went first. 

"Dear Elder Pinnock,

You have been called to serve as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the ITALY, MILAN mission!!"

I couldn't believe what I had just witnessed. Is my little brother seriously going to his DREAM MISSION!? Is he going where I predicted?! Is he even old enough to do this?! 

After a lot of cheers, shouts and tears...it was Josh's turn. We again...anticipated.

"Dear Elder Pinnock,

You have been called to serve as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the ITALY, MILAN mission!!"

Again...even louder cheers, shouts and tears! I thought he was joking, but Josh put his hand to his mouth and immediately started sobbing. This was no joke. This was real. This was happening. This was amazing.

The 2 elders embraced in a long, much needed, hug. They just held each other. Laughed. Cried. Hugged. These 2 brothers from 2 mothers have been called to 1 mission. The Italy, Milan mission. Departing on the SAME day, July 24, 2013.

God is good. He is real....and well...funny. 

I still can't believe this moment happened. I can't believe that my little brother and his side kick of 18 years are old enough to go on missions....let alone, the same mission! Good speed Elders Pinnock!

My Aunt Laura asked me to make a video of this moment and so here it is!