A Mother's Day to Remember

This post does not come with pictures.   I will post them another day.

It is late, I am tired but I am wired.

Why?

Well, for those who read this who have not been the mother of an LDS missionary, here is  some info.  Being a missionary mom is sort of like being the mom of someone in the military without the threat of death around the corner.  I am grateful for all those who fight for freedom.  I am so very grateful for the sacrifice of their parents who wonder about their well-being day and night without end.  I am not terrified that I will get a call telling me my son has been shot.

But I do miss him so much.  Many military troops can talk by phone or Skype their families.  Missionaries do not.  Missionary moms hear from their sons or daughters by phone or Skype twice a year.  The calls are usually an hour long.  We get letters and short weekly e-mails, but no face to face or voice contact.  This is partly because servants of the Lord far away from families focus on their work and avoid thinking too much about home.  They don't forget us and we don't forget them.  But if our son is anything like his mom, he will be thinking about the phone call for days following it and missing us.  It is better for all if we limit the reminders of home.

Now that I've given background, what you should know is that the two days missionaries call home are Christmas and Mother's Day!  Today was Mother's Day - No wonder I am wired. 

Our son Skyped us from the local bishop's home via his computer.  Most of our family was at our house and got to spend time face to face with B.  He looks so good!  He looks and sounds completely happy!  He is in a new area - Pasco, Washington after having been in The Dalles, Oregon for 3 months.  He has a new companion and is excited for this new experience in a new place.

We sent a 19 year old boy away.  It was his choice and we are proud of that decision.  Now our 19 year old boy is a man filled with the love of God and his fellow man.  He is motivated and strong and humble.  He is a man of faith and it clearly came across on the phone.  He lives by the mission rules and was the one to say he had to go.  The 19 year old boy that left  was not the same as the man we talked to today.  What we experienced today talking to him is the answer to many of my prayers and I am humbled and gratified.

Every mother should have this experience.  Every mom wishes their kids to be happy.  We hope they do better than us, to be happier, more successful, more of everything.  Well today I got one of my wishes.  I have never seen him so happy or more successful.

I am so proud of my son, Elder B.  I hope someday he has a son and he can understand the great gift he has given me today.

xoxo Elder B