My Odd Brother

Two years ago, when Richard got his mission call, he hadn't told anyone in the family that he was turning his papers in. I got an e-mail from him on Wednesday, August 31, 2005, with the subject line of "Yo sis, what up?" I thought it was weird that I was getting an e-mail from him, but opened it, without to much thought past that and began to read

Morning,

Just got a letter today...

"Dear Elder Bateman:

You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the Russia Novosibirsk Mission. It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of 24 months.

You should report to the Missionary Training Center at Provo, Utah on Wednesday, 9 November 2005."

Thought you'd be interested,

Richard

I sat staring at my screen for a good thirty seconds as the words actually penetrated my brain. I also confused Whitney and Riley a lot as they didn't understand what was so shocking about my brother getting a mission call.

SO!

When I got my mission call, I wanted to do something crazy to try to get him back. The only problem is, he knew I was turning in my papers. So how do I tell him? The answer finally came, and this is how I did it. I copied his subject line, only mine was "yo bro, What up?" and sent him the picture you can see on the top of the page, along with one of my actual mission call to that he could see the date I'd be leaving. I then said

"Here's some pictures I thought you might enjoy."

And that was it. That's all I said. then I had to wait a week to see how it was received. I had wanted him to be surprised, and I wasn't disappointed. His response?

Julie! You little sneak! Not even telling me that you'd turned your papers in?? I should slap you (but I won't, because I'm sure there is a commandment somewhere about "thou shalt not slap your little sister"). I mean, honestly... who doesn't tell their brother who's on a mission when they turn in their mission papers??

yeah...

congrats! I'm so excited for you! It's going to be the most amazing experience of your life... I would honestly without a second thought stay out here for another 6 months if they let me.

For the record, I forgot to tell him about my mission papers. I had MEANT to tell him I'd turned them in, but I just forgot every time I had the chance.