Years past people would take pictures and videotape mission calls, only to put them away in storage. As with just about anything these days, cameras and smart phones are used to capture the event. Then when put up on the Internet it becomes the property of the world. After watching a lot of them by following a rabbit hole of links there are several similarities to all the videos. A particular ritual has formed organically out of the process of opening up the paper delivering a destination. Not every video covers the full process, but they all contain an element of it with the assumption the rest happen off camera. Here is a “perfect” example. Try to list all that happens that can probably be found in others:
To compare the list
— The excitement of finding the call in the mail
— A long wait before actually received
— More than one use of “oh my gosh” expressed
— overlaying the video with music
— Treating the call like a special gift
— Showing the received call to others before opening
— Having a map for guessing the mission location
— Food and treats set out for guests
— Family and friends gathered around
— ripping apart the package
— carefully reading the first call lines
— crying during the reading
— gasps and happy screams
— “I told you so” or “I thought/never would have guessed”
— Lots of hugs and and congratulations
— A testimony the calling is of the Lord
Any parts that might have been missed? Here are a few more. Be prepared to get emotional.
This one has two brothers:
Triplets open theirs:
Here are brother and sister:
Even older couples get in on the fun:
Another approach is to surprise parents:
One more fun one that covers almost every mark:
Don’t hesitate browsing the Internet for others. Some great and spiritual moments can be found.