I couldn't wait for the Dr. to leave the room so that I could do the "Happy Dance". And dance, I did. I was completely ecstatic and couldn't wait to have a son. Having a son meant one thing to me. That perhaps one day, if we all worked really hard, he would serve a mission for our church.
It has been my hope and prayer, pretty much every single day since that Dr. appointment, that I would one day be the mother of a missionary.
I've heard the stories from other Missionary Moms about the trauma of leaving your son at the MTC, in Provo Utah and walking away from him for 2 years.
Well, this week I did just that.
As the last week approached, I realized I needed to squeeze in a few more "teaching moments".
One was the dreaded....
"This is how you clean a refrigerator.
Please don't be a slob".
I'd been saving up all of the spills for him.
And finally in the 11th hour, the night before he left, he informed me that he was already losing a button on his suit coat. I scrambled to get him a sewing kit
(I know it was on the list......it was major procrastination on my part)
and try to teach his beautiful, LARGE, clumsy, freckle-y, nail bitten fingers how to thread a tiny needle and THEN tie a knot in the thread. I kept thinking....I should get the camera. But it just didn't feel like a "blogging moment".
I attempted to cram years of yielding a needle, into 30 minutes.
I am so overwhelmed with love for my Heavenly Father and for my son and that he would leave the comfort of all he knows
and spend all of his money to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with others. Our family is beyond grateful for this experience and opportunity to support him.
If you live in the Ventura California area and see a tall, handsome, lumbering, young man, please tell him his mother loves him and ask if he needs any buttons sewed on.
I would truly appreciate it.
This post gave me goosebumps!!
ReplyDeleteMy husband had to sew his suit pants up in the bus from the MTC to the airport! I'm not sure if he'd sewn before, but that little bit of stitching held for the rest of the 2 years. Hopefully your son will be a great seamster (boy seamstress?) too!
ReplyDeleteThat is so wonderful Des! He will make a wonderful missionary! He has wonderful parents who have been perfect examples of living the gospel! Make sure you keep us updated on how your missionary is doing! We miss you guys! P.S. Are you doing a family blog? Just wondering:)
ReplyDeleteCongrats!! There's nothing like having a missionary. Mine has been out 20 months! Enjoy the blessings to follow!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!!!!
ReplyDeleteAwww. That's wonderful! Our family isn't very active in a church at all, so I'm hoping my children will at least learn a little bit about religion somewhere along the way! I would love for them to be very involved, but I guess you have to model that, and I'm just not there right at the moment. Congrats, what a great moment for your whole family. (And just how is it that he escaped sewing lessons this long anyways?!?!)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! I love the way you presented this very amazing experience to us! Your son is very blessed to have you and a supportive family! I'm sure he will be a wonderful example in spreading the gospel!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Mom! You made it! Our son has been out since Feb. 20th, 2008 serving in Mexico. And I remember those few days before he entered the MTC..."what do I STILL need to teach him? I asked him ," have I taught you how to clean a toilet? No mom (with eyes rolling). Ok, follow me." But my husband ,in his great wisdom, said "you don't need to teach him any of that NOW...the Spirit will teach him all he needs to know". My husband just bought me a wooden plaque- "mis*sion*ary, (noun) someone who leaves their family for a short time so that others may be with their families for ETERNITY.
ReplyDeleteKeep us posted on his growth out in the mission field.
You have to be very proud! Your pictures are wonderful!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on a very fine looking Missionary. It is a great experience. When our daughter came home from her mission she worked at the MTC and came home every night with wonderful, spiritual stories to share. Enjoy these 2 years of abundant blessings coming your way.
ReplyDeleteYay! Congrats! What a great looking missionary. . . Enjoy the blessings!
ReplyDeleteway to go Mom!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful! What a happy week! And Des - He'll be fine!!
ReplyDeleteGood Luck to him, and you! I hope he writes often...
ReplyDeleteCongrats, Mom! Sounds like a job well done to me!Now you get to keep him in your prayers every day and be so grateful that you raised such a sweet soul!
ReplyDeleteI read your blog often, and I guess if anyone is gonna see him, it will be me! :) Here I am reading your blog, right now, from Ventura, CA.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on a job well done.
Sweet post, Des. It can't be easy letting go finally.
ReplyDeleteVery cool post! Looks like he will be serving somewhat near my hometown. I hope someday that my son (and/or daughter) will be a missionary someday.
ReplyDeletep.s. my word verification is "sisterc" I think that's funny because at church I am Sister C...
Beautiful, Congrats, tell him to look for Elder VanKampen, My Nephew entered the MTC on Sept 30th.
ReplyDeleteHow are you old enough to have a son on a mission already!?! I hope he has a fabulous 2 years! This post is just awesome!
ReplyDelete:)Rachel
Congratulations. I remember thinking with my first son that it shouldn't be that hard to send them away. It was always worth it. I have sent 4 on missions and they all came back better despite my missing them.
ReplyDeleteOh I can only imagine how proud you must be. I have always had so much respect for young people who feel their calling and go out to serve the Lord. We always tried to have the Missionaries over for dinner as much as possible. They are all wonderful children who have very loving Moms behind them (and Dad's).
ReplyDeleteCelebrate & enjoy,
Sharon
I am so proud of him and you. What a blessing for your whole family. I'll be looking to you as inspiration as my son gets ready to go next year. I hope I handle it as well as you. SO HAPPY FOR YOU ALL!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations. What a special thing for your family.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful experience for your son and your family to know that he is serving the Lord.
ReplyDeleteWOW! Wonderful post. Looking forward to hearing more about his journey.
ReplyDeleteCongrats!
Aw Des. He's a darling boy. I can only imagine how you must feel. Having had none of my kids serve missions (yet), it must be awesome and a little frightening. He's a sweet kid and he'll do a wonderful job.
ReplyDeleteAw, what a sweet story! I love the shot of you guys and the fridge - way to capture the moment!! :)
ReplyDeleteSo I am a little naive, but I thought all boys had to go on a mission. (I'm a protestant). I'm glad that your son has decided to go share what he is passionate about though, and that you are being strong and supportive. Best of luck to you all. Ps I'm in So cal, somewhat near Ventura!
ReplyDeleteI left on my mission 6 years ago (got back in March of 05), got married in the temple...now I have two little boys and I think about that every day. Your post brought tears to my eyes (maybe because I'm pregnant, but probably just because). I am very happy for you and your family. Missions are such a blessing and your son will grow so much. (good idea teaching him about cleaning a fridge...very very useful). Congratulations!!!
ReplyDeleteI've got two boys myself and can't wait to be a Missionary Mom!
ReplyDeleteCan't believe it's already here!!! Yeah for your handsome stud!!! Missing you guys! Gearing up for some halloween fun?!
ReplyDeleteMegan, great question! This was my son's choice. Many young LDS men his age, choose not to go. Did his father go on a mission? Yes. Did we talk about a mission and save money for a mission and do all we could to encourage and hope and pray that he would choose to serve a mission? Yes. But ultimately, it was his choice. I would have loved him to pieces either way.
ReplyDeleteThat is awesome! My grandparents served in that same mission and had an amazing experience. They taught a lot of Camboadian families in that area. I cant imagine the anxiety, pride, and concern that goes with sending a son off to the mission field. Good for him- and your family, and just think you only have to make it until Christmas to talk to him.
ReplyDeleteYour post brought tears to my eyes. I just sent my son to the MTC on the 16th of September. Imagine my surprise when you mentioned Ventura! I live in Ojai, which is 15 minutes northest of Ventura. We are in the Ventura Stake and Ventura Mission. I will keep my eyes open for your boy.
ReplyDeleteI hope he's doing well. Have you heard from him? I wrote him! He's such a great kid, well man. I'm so excitied for him. We love him to pieces too.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the answer Des! Hope you all are doing well in this transitional phase. I know changes are exciting and joyous, but can also be hard!
ReplyDeleteAnd just an FYI there will probably be more fires in So cal. There almost always are in October. But he should be far away from them. And usually it is only buildings that burn, people rarely get hurt. There was a big fire close to my school when I first left for college & my mom worried a lot. but don't worry. Now I've probably got you worried.... but don't be!
Made me cry! Congrats and I am sure he will be great! Love reading about your adventures in life, I always laugh or cry:)
ReplyDeleteAK
I must be hormonal today...your post made me cry. I had five sons and my dream was for all five to serve missions but only three did. I have a son in the West Indies mission right now...the last of the brood. I am so happy for you....I remember I went over things with my son, last hour and he just would roll his eyes. did I teach him well enough? I don't know but he is serving and is happy...really happy. I have a freind that just took her son two weeks ago....he is going to Hong Kong mission. How exciting is this? Much love and prayers are your way...awesome post and testimony of the divine mission of our church. So I just have to say AMEN to your post. Love your post above too...have been out of the blogging community for the past week...but I am back now...
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to you all. What a great reason to be so proud and I am sure Jesus is very proud.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! You all look so happy and proud! And way to go mom (& dad)- you must have raised him well. 9 more years and I'll be in your shoes (hopefully). Yikes, I can hardy think about it without turning to mush - I better use these years to toughen up a little or I'm going to be one of those blubbering MTC moms(like my mom)!
ReplyDeleteWe live in the Ventura Mission. Maybe we'll run into him. If we do and he needs a button sewn on, I'll gladly do it for him!
ReplyDelete