Just Called

After much anticipation, we finally received Jesse's call on Monday February 23, 2009. I went home for lunch just to check the mail and see if it was there. I opened the mailbox and there was the beautiful shining large white envelope. I swear I think it glowed! I was so excited for him and I could barely contain myself but he wouldn't be home til that evening from work. I was going to surprise him and just have everyone gathered at the house when he came home but he had to call me and ask me if it had come. I contacted his girlfriend Kristina who lives an hour away in Franklin, North Carolina so she could be at the house when he got home and tried to get a hold of his brother Lee and his wife Nicole. Jesse called Elder Wood and Elder Sills, two missionaries serving in our area that he has become friends with. Jesse's dad Jerry went and bought a cake that said, "Congratulations Elder Fortenberry" and we got pizzas. Everyone gathered around Jesse as he prepared to open his call and he made one final guess that he would be going to Nebraska. He was so surprised when he read that he would be serving in the Lima Peru East Mission and would be learning Spanish. He will report to the Provo MTC on June 17th, 2009 and be there for 3 weeks then he will go to the Lima Peru MTC for 6 weeks after that. I cannot imagine Heavenly Father sending him anywhere else on his mission. I know this is the perfect place for him to labor.

This blog is of course going to be written by me his mother since Elders aren't really allowed to use the computer. I will try to keep everyone updated on what is happening with his mission as I receive information and hopefully pictures. Since he got his call I have been learning everything that I possibly can about his area. I am so excited for him and to be honest a little bit jealous. I have wanted to go to Peru for years. I was an anthropology major in college and Peru was one of the areas that I was absolutely enamored with. What a blessing for him!!! I am so proud of his willingness to serve our Savior and bring these precious children of God to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.