The Call

The first his Dad knew about Jesse's call was a large white envelope in the mailbox addressed to Elder Jesse Holt with a 50 E N Temple St return address.  Jesse was living with his grandparents in St Albert at the time, and Mike wasn't sure what to do with it and texted Jesse right away.  Mom was on Facebook a short time later and read a post from Jesse, "Mission Papers have arrived. I will be opening it tomorrow evening at 730 pm at the Van Bruggens residence."  So Melanie texted Jesse with some wonder and confusion asking for an explanation.  Finally they got together and Mom stood with that sealed envelope in her hand and the excitement and temptation blossomed like that proverbial rose; she knew she could not possibly resist peeking for a day and a half!  Wisely, Mike took the envelope and hid it.  The next evening Jesse's family and friends were gathered together at both the van Bruggen home - in person, or by phone or Skype; and in the Holt home, huddled around the laptop screen.  When most of the technical issues were addressed and the planets in a line, Dad opened that baby, Mom held it up to the camera and Jesse read his call off his laptop!  There he was, in van Bruggen's home, reading off his call to the Belgium/Netherlands mission - the reaction was swift and loud.  No one had guessed, thought or even dreamed of the Netherlands but reports say Uncle Gerald's smile was pretty broad that night.  Meanwhile Dad was waiting with one more phone in his hand for Jesse's sisters to be found on trek to give them the news.  Imagine their surprise when the Stake President found them and asked if they were the two girls who were waiting for their brother's mission call.  Much amused they responded that he must have the wrong girls.  Confusion and dismay were evident when their bemused voices asked over the phone what was going on but their excitement and startled joy was also there.  

We are so proud of the choices Jesse has made and his desire to surprise us with the call.  It has come a little later than we first imagined and he has worked so diligently and overcome many obstacles to get it but we rejoice with him in this call from the Lord to serve Him and His children in the Netherlands.