Dear Elder Alex Benson Nelson,

Well, I am a bit behind on the news.... Alex received his call on Wednesday, April 16. We planned on opening it at 7 pm at our house. He invited some of his friends and Marley invited her friends (they all call him "brother") and we invited our close friends from the neighborhood who have known him since he was a little guy. Needless to say, the house was packed and some of Alex's friends didn't get there till after 7:30, so it was a suspensful evening. We don't have any family close by and we were thankful for all our dear friends who came to share this special day with us. We hooked up a web camera so Grammie and Aunt Kori could watch from Grammies computer. Alex stood up and he asked his dad to offer a prayer and then he opened the envelope. He hesitated before he started reading it, and I could tell his eyes were scanning down to see where he was being called to. Then he started reading. He said , "the Florida Orlando Mission" and I thought he was kidding. Of all the places I would have picked for him to go, that would have been one of them. Wonderful climate, normal food, a place we have been several times as a family. Amazing! Then as he read more, it said, "English speaking" and he said YES! It was a wonderful testimony builder and I knew my prayers had been answered in regards to my concerns about where he would serve. Of course, I knew that anywhere he went would help him grow and that he would touch the lives of those he met and taught.



We have spent many hours since shopping and appreciating the time we have to spend together. He got his suit and pants and shirts and shoes and socks, and all the incidentals he needs. Our next goal is to get him a bike and of course the very special event of going to the temple.


I will be including pictures as time goes on of each step, and will eventually create a page for him so I can share what he says and does while he is on his mission.