Missionaries

Well the missionaries continue to enjoy their time working for the Lord. Mark shown at the Christmas devotional. All missionaries were gathered back to Durban for a few days. In the forefront his mission president Laguna and wife. 

Highlights of the week continue to be missionary Monday. Sometimes I get to see many of my kids on these calls. I love that. We are so blessed to have the ability to gather event hough we are far apart. Each of these big kids are having their own unique adult journeys but still counsel and support each other. That is the good stuff of parenting. 

I finally found the shared photo file and copied pictures of John as a missionary. He has been very reluctant to share much of his mission but these pictures show he has not lost his John spirit of fun and strength. 

Planning and preparing to teach. He is a powerful teacher. 

He has come to love thrift stores. So many options, but this may be a gas station or something. 

This Tongan elder is showing his genetic strength. John is a big guy and this is pretty impressive. 

This elder also picked John up. Wow to both and prayers for their backs. Where there is a will there is a way I guess. 

John is so blessed to be able to attend the temple every month or so. 

And a picture with the damage done to his car after the accident. He can't drive anymore and that is tragic to him. But he will learn more patience and survive. The brakes did not engage and he slid into another car. Several weeks were spent riding the bus and waiting on rides but they are back in a car and driving here and there. 

People think with large families there is no change or relief when kids leave. That is not my experience so far. A family is not like a pool of water where things added or subtracted to the water make no difference after the initial ripples. Instead they are more like cobbles on a road. Each has a specific space and need. The road goes one but we notice when each moves on. And to put the mom feelings of wondering, watching over, and waiting on those kids has to be squelched to survive when they leave home. I'm thankful for weekly calls and them sharing what they will. Really just a look in their eyes and I'm pretty content. It is a connection hard to explain. I'm sure they don't understand it yet but possibly someday they will. I'm not sure I understand all of it but I know my heart is very tied to each of these kiddos and I get inspiration about them in unique ways. Sometimes feelings, sometimes expanded insights into the little they share, sometimes words, but I know God is aware and watching over each of them.

I'm thankfulf ort he missionary program that allows them space to grow and become. For generous humble mission presidents who shoulder so much responsibility and work to sheperd these young people. For an inspired leadership structure that allows the accountability and assistance in their new independence and responsibility. Mostly I'm thankful for who they come back as. Still themselves but better, broader, more confident, and most of all sure of their Savior Jesus Christ. That is priceless and our whole purpose as parents. God has blessed our family greatly.