I hope they call me on a mission
When I have grown a foot or two.
I hope by then I will be ready
To teach and preach and work like missionaries do.
I Hope they Call me on a Mission - Children's Songbook
The past six weeks has been a roller coaster ride as our son is preparing to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. Learn More about Missionaries, Here. On October 5th, he was going about his college life, planning on leaving for his mission in August, 2013, when he turns 19. Saturday, October 6th brought the announcement of the decade for members of the church. The missionary age was lowered by the Prophet of God, Thomas S. Monson. Boys can now go when they're 18, and girls when they're 19. Here's the quote from the 10AM General Conference Session:
"I am pleased to announce that effective immediately all worthy and able young men who have graduated from high school or its equivalent, regardless of where they live, will have the option of being recommended for missionary service beginning at the age of 18, instead of age 19...
Today I am pleased to announce that able, worthy young women who have the desire to serve may be recommended for missionary service beginning at age 19, instead of age 21."
The response from him was instant amazement and enthusiasm. "I can go early", he repeated. And that is how the whirlwind began.
October 19th he decided to plan for school and a mission and see where that leads. If his start date is after the winter semester, he'll go to school. If it's before, he'll leave on his mission.
He has had his wisdom teeth extracted, vaccinations, dentist appointments, and his physical exam. He has researched how to defer his schooling, housing contract, and scholarship. He filled out all the paperwork, had his interviews, and received confirmation that the papers were submitted on November 9th, three weeks later.
And now he sits and waits for the envelope to come in the mail. It could be any day.
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| Our soon-to-be Missionary |
So, yes, the pressure is on...pressure to make this Thanksgiving and Christmas AMAZING for my son that is leaving for two years. I've been thinking a lot about it. What will make it amazing? No, it won't be the gifts he receives on Christmas morning. It won't be spending dollar after dollar on fancy Christmas concerts and plays. The "amazingness" comes through desire, attitude, time, service, and traditions.
Desire: If one desires something, he strives to achieve it. He puts his heart and mind into making it happen. If the desire is there, the likelihood of it coming to pass is great!
Attitude: You can have an "amazing" time doing anything. It's all in the attitude. Scrubbing the floor can be amazing. Making dinner can be amazing. Raking leaves can be amazing...or not. Is it a chore or an opportunity?
Time: An amazing holiday experience will happen if you spend time on it. Time to prepare, and time to enjoy. Time is all that children really want if you think about it...loving, quality, precious time.
Service: Giving of oneself brings joy and satisfaction. Serving others helps you forget your own issues and bring happiness to someone else. What better way to spend the holidays than in service?
Traditions: Thanksgiving and Christmas traditions are what make the season. It's knowing what to expect, what you'll feel, what you'll eat, what you'll enjoy, what you'll remember for next year. It's placing the advent piece on the calendar, reading stories, playing Thanksgiving Bingo (a new tradition this year), making egg nog, singing, cutting down the tree, football on Thanksgiving morning, candy turkeys, the "For the Pore" jar, or sitting on the couch in the dark with only the Christmas lights on. Wrap the family in tradition and they'll forever remember it.
Those are my keys to an amazing Thanksgiving and Christmas season. Desire, Attitude, Time, Service, Traditions. It will be AMAZING!
More to Come...but until then, Stick-to-it!
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