Missionary Smiles

I have many sweet smiles to share with you from our trip to visit family in Utah. Today I will concentrate on our Missionary Smiles.

We had planned to leave Utah last Monday but we got a call that morning that our 18 year old grandson, Jalen, had received his Mission call in the mail. That meant that we would need to unpack, stay an extra day and back track 62 miles to our daughters house…. which we were happy to do in order to be a part of this important event.

Jalen submitted his missionary paperwork to the church several weeks ago. We were hoping that his call would come while we were there. We all gathered together that evening at his home in anxious anticipation of where he would be asked to serve. Lynell had put a chart on the wall with all of the missions listed. We all put our names by the area we guessed that he might be called. I did not win the prize for guessing right.

(To learn more about the LDS Church (Mormon) missionary program click on the “I am a child of God” icon on my side bar. We have over 55,000 missionaries serving world wide at their own expense. Our young men are ask to serve 2 years. Our young women are welcome to serve if they desire to do so. )

With good wishes and cameras ready…..

Jalen opened up his letter and found out he will be serving in ….

… The Osorno, Chile mission which goes from the city of Osorno all the way down to the bottom of Chile. Is that anywhere near where you live Gloria?

We were all excited for him…. especially Erin’s husband, Patrick who served in Chile also. He said that Jalen will love it there. (Of course most missionaries think their mission is the best area in the world…. and I guess for them it is.)

We shed a few tears and gave lots of hugs to our new Elder. It seems like just yesterday that we were welcoming Justin home from Guatemala…. and now Jalen is leaving.

Grampy and I were so glad that we could be with Jalen for this special occasion. He leaves to go to the Missionary Training Center April 24th. We were all shocked that he is leaving so soon. There is much to do to get him ready to leave.

For one… he needs a new wardrobe….pants, white shirts, ties, shoes, suit, etc.   We rushed out to get him a new suit. As I saw him standing there getting his suit fitted,  I was amazed how the Lord turns these young men from boys into missionaries…. willing to give up 2 years of their life, learn a new language, live away from home and family and work hard and sacrifice as they serve the Lord and try to share His Gospel with the world. To me our missionary program is amazing and marvelous.

I Know that Jalen will be blessed the rest of his life because of his willingness to serve the Lord in this calling. I know that he will love the people of Chile. I know that it will be hard work but it will be worth it. I know that our whole family will grow in faith and testimony as we share his missionary experiences through his letters.  My heart is full of smiles for Jalen and for the testimony I have that this is the Lord’s work.

I hope that you are having a good week and that your heart is full of smiles too. We are back home now and I look forward to getting to get caught up on reading your blogs.   Hugs, Grammy Lura