We have reached a turning point in Willie's missionary service. A year ago this past week we watched him walk away from us, up the sidewalk of the Provo MTC to be out of sight for the next 24 months. Oh how sweet it was to turn the corner of his service this week. Counting forward to this one year mark has felt like ten years but it's just been the days served since February 26, 2014. Well, now we can change our perspective and begin counting down the days until his return - 351 days from today to be exact.
I am not a worrying mother by any means. I let my daughters drive across the country in the summer of 2001, on their own. They were 23 and 21 at he time. They left late one afternoon and returned almost two weeks later. They drove through too many states to count and spent a few days in NYC. I remember my mother asking if I worried about them on their trip. I replied, "Not really." You see I have good kids who have learned to be independent and strong. They have learned to stand steadfast and immovable in their actions and beliefs. While they were gone, we talked on the phone a couple of times. They had a cell phone with them but service was unstable and the phone didn't hold a very long charge. I was very excited for them to go off on an adventure as young adults. I had confidence and faith that they would have a great time and that they would be healthy and safe.
Sending a son on a mission is a little (a lot) different. Two years is much different than 2 weeks. A 6,000 mile distance to a far off land is much more compelling than 2,000 miles across country in the USA. No verbal communication or contact is trying to say the least. However, I can't say I worry so much about Willie as much as I just miss him. I have faith and confidence in his independence and his ability to make good decisions and choices. I know that in tens of thousands of prayers offered each day he is (along with all missionaries) remembered, prayed for unlike anything I can wrap my mind around. I know he is ok. The hardest part of this separation is just missing his energy and excitement for every day; his laugh and positive attitude; and his rolling on the floor in hysteria at something so amazingly funny to him that he can't get words out to explain.
With a full, successful year of experience completed I feel relieved and validated that he will soon return home in 351 days. I think not so much about that last image of him walking up the sidewalk at the Provo MTC, but now imagining how he will look and be all grown up when he walks toward all of us upon his return at the airport. These next 300+ days will go by fast and furious. He has much to accomplish and so do I. We are so very excited for the turning point of this past week.
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| Provo MTC February 2014 |
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| Klaipeda by the Bay February 2015 |
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