Yes, I'll Take Care of your Legos

"You are making a sacrifice, but it is not a sacrifice because you will get more than you give up, you will gain more than you give, and it will prove to be an investment with tremendous returns. It will prove to be a blessing instead of a sacrifice. No one who ever served in this work as a missionary, who gave his or her best efforts, need worry about making a sacrifice, because there will come blessings into the life of that individual for as long as he or she lives."  

- Gordon B. Hinckley

It's a strange feeling when you work so hard to achieve something, give your all for a future goal, strive tirelessly for a positive outcome...but when it actually happens, you're an emotional wreck. I'm happy, too. Really, I am. I'm jovial and ecstatic and thrilled and proud. This was what I wanted all along. But my heart strings are being pulled and when that happens to Mama Bear, tears flow, emotions are high, and focusing on real life is tough. However, it will get better. Millions of mothers have been through it. I will, too.

What am I talking about? My son just left for Santiago, Chile for two years. He's serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. Since he was born, we've hoped for this day. We've prayed that he would have the desire to serve a mission. We know what it will do for him. We know the growth that will take place. We know the man he will become. 

He grew up talking about going on a mission...

His 3 year old prayer: "Help me that I can go on a mission and help my dog go on a mission, too."

His 4 year old prayer: "Please help me that I can go on a mission and my dog, too."

His 7 year old plea: "I'm collecting legos like Uncle Stephen. I'm going to keep my legos until after my mission. Mom, when I'm on my mission, will you take care of my legos?"

His 8 year old prayer: "Please bless me that I can go on a mission to Mexico so I can buy a switch blade knife."

Through his youth he has prepared for this day: seminary, youth activities, service projects, testimony meetings, scripture study, Family Home Evening, missionary prep classes, temple attendance, prayer, jobs, work, saving........

I am a thrilled Mother for his obedience to Heavenly Father and his desire to tell the people of Santiago, Chile about Jesus Christ and His plan for us. I wouldn't want him anywhere else. I'm willing to only hear from him via letter/email once per week. I'm willing to only talk to him twice per year - 4 times over the next two years. I'm willing to pray for him and write to him and support him. But it hurts. He's been gone for almost 24 hours and I'm still crying. He's where I want him to be, but I'm a mess.

As Mothers, we rejoice and mourn for our children. Now is the time for me to rejoice...

"Lift up your heart and rejoice, for the hour of your mission is come; and your tongue shall be loosed, and you shall declare glad tidings of great joy unto this generation." D&C 31:3

...but I can't help mourning, just a little.

I wrote him a letter to read on the airplane. It's too personal to post in its entirety, but I will share the following:

"I love you, son. I have shed more tears than I thought possible. But they are tears of joy for your goodness, for your righteous desires, for your obedience, for your wise choices, for your example to your siblings and to me. Be of good cheer and know we will pray for you every day. We are waving the flag for Elder Bushman. We will await hearing from you each week with excitement. We will support you as you go to serve the people of Chile. I give you, my oldest son, to the Lord for the next 2 years, willingly and gratefully. Thank you for making me a very happy Mama. My love to you, Adam. Go forward with faith and with God. Return honorably. Love, Mom"

Oh, and yes, I'll take care of your legos while you're on your mission.

More to Come...but until then, Stick-to-it!

Marriage and Mission: A Double Whammy

Completely overwhelmed with joy.

Happy Thanksgiving! Two grand announcements for our family occurred yesterday....a marriage and a mission. It all happened within 1.5 hours of each other. 

Marriage
Our daughter came home at 5:45 PM with her fiancee and gave us the news...she's engaged, and she's gained a dog, too - a Saint Bernard puppy, a gift from her one and only. They named him Tank. Date - To Be Announced. They are so happy and we are thrilled for them!

Mission

Our son opened his mission call yesterday evening at 7:15 PM...

"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 Chile Santiago East Mission. It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of 24 months. You should report to the Provo Missionary Training Center on Wednesday, April 10, 2013. You will prepare to preach the gospel in the Spanish language. Your assignment may be modified according to the needs of the mission president..."

President Thomas S. Monson

Wow! We are so excited for this wonderful opportunity for him to serve the people of Santiago, Chile - the same area that Grandma served in a few years ago!

A Marriage and a Mission Announcement - all in one day. This is truly an amazing and joyful Double Whammy!

What a blessed and happy Mama I am this Thanksgiving Day!

More to Come...but until then, Stick-to-it!

The Pressure is On

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. 

Our soon-to-be Missionary

Knowing that this Thanksgiving and Christmas are his "last" for the next two years, he has told me the following: "Mom, this is going to be the best Thanksgiving and Christmas. I'm going to play tons of football with the boys, watch movies with the family, make awesome food, play games, take the kids places, listen to Christmas music all the time, drink hot chocolate, and love every minute of it."

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!