Our nephew, Scooter, was called to serve a mission in Durban, South Africa. He will be in an English speaking mission, but will have to learn the language of Zulu which is what those in the villages speak. When he got his call we were all so surprised at the location! He was to report directly to the Johanesburg Mission Training Center on November 11, 2010.
On October 31st Scooter had his farewell. It was attended by many friends and family who love and support Scooter. After his Sacrament farewell there was a luncheon held at the Long Beach City College Institute.
On Sunday, November 7th Scooter was set apart as a Missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was now officially Elder Shipp!
On Tuesday, November 9th Elder Shipp boarded a plane at the Long Beach airport to Johanesburg, South Africa.
Lots of tears were shed that morning...tears of joy and tears of missing him! We are all so proud of him and his decision to serve a mission. We know it is the best thing for him. We know that he will grow and learn in the gospel as he teaches and comes to love the people of South Africa. We will miss him, but we would rather he be serving the Lord than hanging out with us. Madalyn's facebook status that morning Elder Shipp left was "we may be one penny short, but the world is one missionary richer".
So for now here is our final farewell...see you in two years!
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