Email from Mom: Still so wild - welcome to Africa

From: Mom
Date: Sunday, August 8, 2021
Subject: Still so wild - welcome to Africa

Elder Garcia!!
I don’t even know where to start. It is still so weird for me to think that I have a kiddo in a whole other country. Africa!!! Can you believe it?
How was your day of travel? I watched the delta flight tracker all day and into most of the night. I was up early and hopeful I would hear from you once you landed in Paris and panicked a little (ok a lot) when I didn’t. As we travelled to Atlanta I watched my phone feverishly wondering if I would hear when you arrived in Lome. We sat at the game and I refreshed my email, checked my texts, and even kept looking on the Facebook. I messaged with Elder Simon’s mom to see if she had heard anything and we waited. It wasn’t until just after 8pm here (midnight there) that I got an email from Elder Coe saying you had arrived and were headed to an apartment in Lome for the night and that you would meet President and Sister Proudfoot in the morning, have some training, and an interview and then get your assignments for your first area. I realized I had to be okay with that email and trust that you are in good hands even though I longed to hear your voice.
So…talk to me. Honestly. How are you feeling? How have the last couple of days been? As I have been engulfed in Atlanta humidity these last couple of days I wonder what it is there? Did your luggage all arrive safe and sound? How was getting into and around Paris? What about Togo? I’m assuming since I got the attached image that you tested negative for the Covid again? What is an airport in Africa like?
So many texts have come in asking if you have arrived safely and have passed on that you are in the thoughts and prayers of many. I hope you feel them. I hope you know there is an army behind you as you embark on this journey. It has been so powerful for me to witness and to feel that support.
I am hopeful I get to talk to you soon. I wonder if your P day is Monday like we have gotten used to or of it will be different. I wonder if I will get a video call or just an audio one. So many unknowns.
I want you to know how much I love you. I also want you to know how very proud I am of you. I look back at these last couple of days and although at some point in life as a parent you have to let go, I don’t know that I will ever be happy about it. I just want you to know that I have total faith in YOU and know that you are capable of all the things you will be presented and all the things the Lord has in store for you. Never ever doubt that and never ever doubt your abilities. You are there to touch the lives of many and to bring them to the happiness the Gospel promises them. Remember, even if you just get the seed planted it is going to be enough.
I added photos to your drive of our day sending you off and will watch as you add on your end as well. Please know I have you in my thoughts and prayers always. I love you to the moon and back. Forever and for always.
Mom