I'm a Mormon. {Ha. You know you're off to a good start when you accidentally type "I'm a Moron." Here we go, people.}
In our Church, young men volunteer to do full-time unpaid missionary service for two years. Most young men go when they're 19 years old, placing college and vocational careers on hold. They have no say in where they go, but they go willingly, because that's the caliber of young men that go on missions. Young women may go as well, when they're 21.
My brother is on a mission in Uruguay right now. Missionaries get to email home once a week, and they get to call home on Christmas and Mother's Day.
Yesterday we got to Skype with Covey, or Hermano Wilson, as he is called down there. We all squished around the laptop and talked face to face with him.
He showed us the best way to carry your backpack to lessen the chance of getting mugged, and so you can quickly swing if off your shoulder and use it to fend off attacking dogs.
He couldn't believe how much McKay's voice had changed, or how tall he had gotten.
He told Sam and I he wants sobrinos by the time he came home.
At the end of his allotted hour, we knelt down as a family and said a prayer. It was such a tender moment. Even though we're halfway across the world, our family was as close as it's ever been during that prayer.
I believe in Mormon missionaries. I believe in the good they do for strangers. I believe in the message of truth and comfort that they preach about. And I believe in the blessings that come from their sacrifice.
P.S. To learn more about my church, go here.
P.P.S. To read Covey's crazy missionary adventures, go here. Last week he ate cow bladder paste??
P.P.S. This post wasn't officially endorsed by the Church. It's just an experience I wanted to share.
Awww! Look how great he looks. He's such an awesome guy and amazing missionary. Thanks for the pictures!
ReplyDeletegosh i think its so cool now that missionaries can skype. so cool. this is so great!
ReplyDeletek
Mother's day was always the most exciting when my brothers were out. I'm jealous you got to Skype!! Way better than a phone call :)
ReplyDeleteso sad that skype is new! i wish that were an option when the mister was on his trip!!!
ReplyDeletexo TJ
and by "trip", i mean mission.
ReplyDeletehow fun!! my older sister went to brazil on her mission and it was so fun being able to skype with her! (i actually think she wasn't supposed to.. but oh well! haha)
ReplyDeleteandrea brionne @thedailyeverythings.blogspot.com
Aww, this is so tender! Thanks for linking up to Since It's Sunday! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Brooke! I found you through the Sunday linkup and am
ReplyDeleteSo glad I did!:) what a lovely family you have, you're beautiful girly!
It's amazing the technology now, I met my hubby before he went on his mission and would've loved to Skype! ;)
What a great experience, it touches my heart to read how you all prayed together.
I absolutely love the missionaries. Even before I joined the church, I always admired the love and dedication so many of them have. I feel that way even moreso now and am always impressed by what a mission can do for a boy. I think 19 can be one of the most selfish times in your life, and I think not only does a mission help so many to find the gospel, but it also helps the missionary to learn about service, being on their own, and loving Heavenly Father's children.
Yay for missionaries;)
So glad I found your blog! Looking forward to reading more:)
This is fabulous, Brooke! Thank you for linking up, hun! :)
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