Sweet Sacrifice

Yesterday, March 23, 2011 was one of those "big red letters days on my calendar."  Our son began  two years of service as a mormon missionary.  What a beautiful, happy, sad, and bittersweet day.  We dropped him off at a mission training center.  He will be there for three weeks.  Then he will fly to the Dominican Republic where he will receive more training in the spanish language as well as religious education.  After that he will begin his service in Puerto Rico.
   I'm sure all parents can relate how this feels to watch your child leave your home and walk into their future.   I question myself.  Have I done enough?  Have I taught him all he needs to know?  Will he be able to live independently and live on more that Macaroni and Cheese?  My mind has been  reeling with a thousand questions, but my heart has been calm.
   I have felt so many "sweet whisperings," from heaven as I have watched my son decide and prepare for this mission.  Prepare to share the message of Jesus Christ and serve the people of Puerto Rico.  He will be sacrificing much, as will we, however we have been given much.  "Where much has been given, much is required."  You can read my about missionary service below.  I copied this from www.mormon.org/missionaries.  I will occasionally post some of his experiences here.

    One of the greatest gifts I received this last christmas came from this son.  It was a letter written to me.  Jace expressed his love and gratitude for me and wrote what a huge impact my cancer experience had him.  He said it had made him stronger and helped him prepare for his decision to serve a mission.   Now there are few things about cancer that are truly blessings but seeing how it has brought changes into my and others lives has truly been a "sweet sacrifice," in my own life.

Elder Kelly, (Mr. Personality)
Good Luck on this Amazing Journey!

Who are the Missionaries?

If you’ve seen them walking, riding their bikes or driving around your town, you’ve probably wondered what Mormon missionaries are doing, exactly.

Why would these young men and women choose to put on their dress clothes and traipse around strange parts of the world for two years? The Lord’s Church has always been a missionary church. Just as Jesus Christ and His disciples preached the gospel, more than 50,000 missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are spreading His word today. They are called to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ in all parts of the world. Most missionaries are about 20 years old, though many older married couples also choose to serve. Missionaries voluntarily put aside school, work and dating for about two years in order to serve the Lord at their own expense.

Communication with family is even limited to letters or email and very occasional phone calls so that they can focus wholeheartedly on serving the Lord and the people where they serve. During their two years of full time service they devote themselves to studying, meeting people and teaching about Jesus Christ and His restored Church. Their work is a labor of love, and most missionaries end up feeling they gained more than they gave by serving.