On Sunday, my day was crazy. I woke up early and went to one of my best friends farewells. Elder Jake Olsen. It was absolutely incredible. It was so nice to see the church side of him and to hear his story of why he decided to go on a mission and how much it meant to him. It was nice to see him so... vulnerable. I guess. He just laid it all out there and I loved it. I definitely cried. It was just so sweet to hear him talk about his mom the way he did. Then we sang Called To Serve. That song has never been a cry song for me. It has just been a fun song to sing. But we started singing
.."Called to Serve him heavenly King of Glory, chosen heir to witness for His name..."
I lost it. Just thinking about him out in the mission field in Australia, being a messenger of the Lord, representing his name, uniting families, teaching the truth. For two whole years. I had this overwhelming love for him, for giving up two years and doing this. He has come such a long way and I'm more than proud of him. I know he will truly be an incredible missionary and the people of Sydney are lucky to have him. Not to mention how lucky he is to get to go to Australia! I'll miss him. Saying goodbye was the worst thing ever. But he'll be back. I know. It's just hard. It's the right thing but it's not easy, for anyone. But I'm super excited to write him! I get to write a missionary guys!
So to Jake, You are an incredible person and I know that will only help on your mission. You will have amazing experiences in life and on your mission just because you chose to serve the Lord. He won't leave you alone. You'll convert those Aussie's, and make their families eternal. That is incredible. You are such a strong example to me and you have no idea. Just by you making the decision to go on a mission is a huge example to me. It tells me a lot. You're advice is always spot on and you never let me down. I'll miss that. It makes me sad that it takes 3 weeks for letters to get all the way to Australia. I don't even know what to say other then thank you. You have an amazing adventure ahead and I can't wait to hear about it. Thank you.
Anyway! Then, I went to a homecoming! So it's okay guys, they do come back. Here's the story. This lovely RM who will remain nameless to save him from embarrassment, was always kind of an awkward kid. He's great and very talented he's just awkward. This is how his talk starts, the first words out of his mouth to us in 2 years....
"For my exit interview with my mission president, he asked me what I wanted when I got back. I looked at him for a minute then said what I wanted was in the scriptures. I told him to open to 1 Nephi chapter 11. Nephi is speaking with the Spirit of the Lord and the Lord asks
"What desirest thou?" (11: 2)
Then later he gives the answer and this is my answer.
"A virgin most beautiful and fair above all other virgins" (11:15)"
yes people. That's right.
HE JUST SAID HE WANTED A VIRGIN!
Oh I was blown away.
Who does that?! Ahh... I was very frightened.
Great kid. Just an awful way to start or say...
Then I went to my ward and saw my brother get the Priesthood! It was so cool! He is officially a young man. With the Priesthood.
So cool. I'm proud of him. Way to go Jackson!
hay, this is a great post. I loved what you said about missionaries. it is so true. it is so fun to hear how much they are learning about themselves on their mission, but it is hard to have letters take forever to get there. They are doing the right thing! I loved that you cried during the song, that song was never a crying song for me either until my friends starting leaving... such an amazing song.
ReplyDeletealso, HAHAHAHAHHA i loved the virgin thing.... sooo awkward! what a funny story, i bet his parents were so embarrassed. oh gosh! I loved that. haha!
sorry for the novel.