Every mother that has ever read this book has wept.
I will never forget thinking about my own son leaving on a mission.
I thought... "How can I not see his face for two years"
It about rips your heart out.
But I think that the hardest part for a mother is really knowing
that it is the end of their boyhood.
Your son... will turn into a man while he is serving his mission.
They come home all grown up with unbelievable
talents and attributes and knowledge
that they did not have before.
They have experienced things that they will never
be able to put into words.
Being on this side of the mission
is a very sacred experience for me.
I am involved with them while they
are feeling things that are unspeakable.
I watch them dig deep to see what they are really made of
and to find out who they really are.
It's like watching a movie in fast motion
as they mature right before your very eyes.
Nothing on the face of the earth can replace a mission.
To serve the Lord full time, for two years
is the most gratifying, educating, sacred experience
one can have.
At the end of this book... "Mommy, do I have to serve a mission"
the little boy grows up and leaves home and serves a mission
and then at the end of his mission...
He writes home and says
"Mom, do I have to come home... these people need me"
I am crying just typing this.
I understand more than ever how a great missionary feels
at the end of his mission.
It is very difficult to leave after having
experiences that have changed your heart for the better
and have helped changed peoples lives forever.
President Turk and I have shed many tears as there have been a few
missionaries that have chosen to leave early.
They don't know what they are missing.
That regret will be with them forever.
But more importantly
they are missing out on learning things
that could change the course of their life
and their eternity.
But these Sweet Elders are staying with ME! They are a fantastic bunch!
They have been in the mission for about 5 weeks.
We had them in today with their trainers.
I love to see them after their first few weeks.
The last time I saw them was when they arrived
and they had that "Deer in the Headlights" look on their faces...
Understandable.
After a few weeks, they know the routine....
and they are trying to learn as fast as they can.
They have to keep up with their companions with teaching
and finding and listening to the spirit.
Once the missionaries start to feel and see the hand of God
in this work... they settle in and try to
follow the promptings as soon as possible.
They truly see that this is His work and that they are His instruments.
And then they feel "it"...
The joy and happiness that is far above anything
they have ever experienced.
This is what Lehi is talking about when he is describing
the dream... about the Tree of Life.
This joy is the fruit that represents
the LOVE of GOD!
Nothing compares to this feeling.
Elders: Espinal, Acuña, Palma, Hoyos, Arriola, Dickerson, Cruz, Morales, Tello,
Calisaya, Cornejo, Cañarte, Patiño, Castillo, Román, Cárdenas
