Missionary Update

 My son is doing really well in Florida.  He just got transferred from Live Oak to St Augustine last week and was made a senior companion.  He had his first baptism the first week of December, two days before he was transferred, and imagine my surprise when the sister he baptized called me on the phone.  The connection was a bit fuzzy, but I could understand that she was so grateful to be baptized.  She thanked me for sending my son on a mission so he could change her life.  It was so good to hear from someone who has seen him and to hear her say that he is doing well.   And really at times like those, it doesn't even feel like a sacrifice.  Just think in twelve days I will get to talk with him.  That will be the best Christmas present ever.

I belong to an email group of missionary moms of sons and daughters serving in Florida.  One of those mom's posted this poem, and it is too good not to share.  Pretty much sums up how it feels to send a son on a mission.

WARNING : This poem could cause extreme eyeball sweating.

A Missionary Christmas  (author unknown)

 I skipped the sales after Thanksgiving. The thrill just wasn't there.
 No pictures taken with Santa Claus, My decorating has no flair.
 His presents are shoes, shirts, and ties, two suits and socks...no fun.
 I've bought him all white clothes because... This year I'm giving Christ
 my son.

 I've spent more time in the temple, my testimony stirred.
 I've reread November's Ensign, Felt strength come from His words.
 Our family prays more frequently. My tears are quick to run.
 Abraham seems closer because, This year I'm giving Christ my son.

 I wonder how those Lamanite mothers, gave their sons to war?
 Or how the pioneers chose Zion , their sacrifice was so much more.
 My loss will be his presence, I'll miss his smile a ton
 For two years we will pray for him, I'm giving Christ my son.

 I stare at his face when he's not looking. I memorize his eyes, their shine.
 He's always hungered for the part of him, that makes his soul divine.
 The stories and lessons he always heard, His choice and mine are one.
 I'll put my faith in God's hand, This year, I'm giving Him my son.

 Past gifts have lost their glitter; I think I finally understand
 Christ's birth should be celebrated by giving Him a hand.
 It's because I know Christ lives and reigns that all his packing's done.
 My gift has taken years to make, This year... I'm giving Christ my son.

 I know there's One who understands, the sacrifice I'm making.
 Who knows the gift I willingly give, The toll it will be taking.
 For He has done it all before Greater love - there could be none.
 For years ago God gave to me, His only begotten son.

 The hands I washed, the hands I held, The hands I taught to pray;
 Now knock on doors to find the ones Who will listen to what he'll say.
 Because I know Christ needs him, Until all the gathering's done,
 My gift has taken years to make.  This year...I'm giving Christ my son.



Sorry this is not Wonka-vision with a box of Kleenex you could pull out of the screen.

Missionary Update

I thought I would post just a little update about Elder Hammond.

Here he is the day he got to the mission field with President and Sister Barry.

Do you think he would hate to know that

I think he looks so cute in his badge?

Here is the thing, he is doing amazingly well and loving every minute so far.

I am so grateful that he is where he is,

but it is strange to be so starved for information

about what his new life is like.

You get this kid as a baby and you are there for every single minute.

And then you watch them grow up and you get to go to

every game or concert they are a part of.

You have a front row seat for everything,

and now when he is doing the most important thing he has done so far

you get a few paragraphs every week.

It seems completely inadequate.

And so I stalk the mission blog and

take great joy in seeing the corner of his head in one

of the pictures of the missionaries eating lunch at

a zone conference.

I belong to an email group of other missionary moms to kids

serving in Jacksonville Florida, and every now and then

another mom knows something about the area

he is serving in.

I google earth his address and learn about the city he is in and

any other useless information.

Let me share a part of one of his letters:

"We were challenged by Elder Pearson's wife to read Joseph Smith's history every Sunday and I can say that I've grown to love Joseph Smith. How he was just a normal kid and had many struggles including just bursting out with laughter and being irreverent at church even after his vision. He was a normal guy and I aspire to become like him. I'd love to meet him one day and give him a big hug. He's an awesome man and I appreciate him so much. I gave my first 2 priesthood blessings in 2 days. My first one was wild. I didn't feel any promptings to say anything specific, but as soon as I started I felt the spirit fill my whole body instantly stronger than I've ever felt it. My hands trembled a little as I finished the blessing. It was the wildest thing I've ever experienced with the spirit. He truly encompassed my body and his hands were in mine as I placed them on this lady's head."

Of course when I read something like that, I feel silly for even feeling

like I am missing out on "watching"  him serve his mission.

I know if I was there he could not have the same growth

and experiences.

And so it has been a couple of crazy months,

getting him ready to go,

adjusting to him being gone,

and settling into the routine of just one

letter a week.

It is good and truly I wouldn't want him to be

anywhere else than serving the Lord.

Three Weeks and Counting

Well at least he will look like a missionary if we don't get anything else done.

Trent goes to the MTC in just over three weeks.

I know that it will be here in a blink of an eye.

We have finished most of the shopping, and

He should go to the temple this weekend.

Still on the to be completed list:

Update immunizations.

Extend his Driver's License.

Take care of a traffic ticket.

Get new scriptures.

I plan to spend the day with him tomorrow,

where I hope we can knock those things off the list.
We also need to get a family picture,
which means I need to get my gray hair colored,
loose twenty pounds,
and buy an new outfit.
Not sure I can get all that done in
just three weeks.

It is amazing how putting on a suit,

can change a boy into a missionary.

I suppose the bright side is, that with him

in Florida, I can mail him anything

we don't get ready.

Happy Nineteen!

Nineteen years ago, the Friday before Mother's Day, I was sitting at work completely unaware that my life was about to change forever. The phone rang, and my case work informed me that a baby boy would be waiting for us at LDS Family Services the next day.

It was so hard to actually believe that after almost seven years of waiting and praying, the day had come for our family to blessed with a child. Never again would I feel quite so sharply the pain of unfilled arms. Never again would Mother's Day and other holidays be quite so grief filled. Finally the desire of my heart was to be granted. It was overwhelming and awe inspiring. And I have never been the same.

It was truly a magical moment when we went to the agency that next day, and they placed the most beautifuly, perfect, precious baby boy in my aching empty arms. I remember the car ride home, sitting in the back next to the car seat, worrying if he was OK. Checking on him at night to see if he was still breathing. Holding him and never getting quite enough of those eyes and baby soft skin. It was heaven on earth, pure and simple.

This is not to say that there have not been days in the past nineteen years that have been anything but heaven on earth. In fact one of those other places you read about in the scriptures. But that is to be expected with motherhood. It is part of the package deal.

Yesterday was another one of those milestone motherhood days. Trent received his mission call. We knew it was coming. We talked about it. He told me he wanted to be the one to get it from the mailbox. We agreed that he would not open it until everyone was home.

I picked Diana up from school and ran a dinner over to someone in the ward who needed it. Trent called to say that the CALL was there. My husband was still not home, and so I told him to hang on, I would be right there.

I am sure it was worse than waiting to open presents on Christmas morning. Hurriedly I delivered the dinner and raced to be home. My husband beat me there, but I made them wait for me.

I was dissapointed that I missed the photo opportunity at the mail box. And from the look on his face in this shot, you can tell that he was not interested in a recreation. He is saying to me "Seriously I have waited nineteen years for this, and you want me to wait one more minute while you take a picture, sheesh."

He opened and read the letter signed by the Prophet of the Lord. He will be serving in the Jacksonville, Florida mission and will go into the MTC on July 14th. There are so many things to do to get ready. I am sure that it will be here before we can say "I hope they call me on a mission."

So Happy Birthday, Son! Thanks for letting me share the past nineteen years with you. It has been crazy at times, but so worth it.