When a Mormon young man reaches the age of 19, he is "called to serve" a two-year mission for our church. The First Presidency of the church, comprised of the prophet and president of the world-wide church and his counselors, prayerfully select the location to which he will be sent to preach the gospel. Mormon missionaries preach the word in pairs, and I'm sure many of you have seen them on bikes in whites shirts and ties with black names tags. These young men are sent all over the world, to places like Buenos Aires, South Africa, Finland, Paris, Santiago, Mexico City, and The Czech Republic. Some are also sent state side, to places like Denver, Manhattan, McAllen, Santa Fe, or El Paso.
These missions are paid for by the young men themselves and by their families. When these young men return home after two years, they are no longer boys, but men. The change in them is completely phenomenal. They've discovered who they are, they love The Lord, they've learned how to work and serve others, and they've learned how to get along with a wide range of people as they are assigned different companionships throughout their missions. And most importantly, they've been tools in The Lord's hand in bringing souls unto Christ.
Earlier this week, the 18-year-old boy received his "mission call" in the form of a formal letter from the First Presidency of the church. It was determined that he will serve in the Eugene, Oregon mission for the duration of his two years. He will preach the gospel in English (there are also Spanish-speaking missions all over the United States) and he is due to report to the Missionary Training Center in mid-September.
Just wanted you to know about this wonderful thing that has happened in our lives. I know he will be blessed for making this decision to go. It's not an easy sacrifice, but one well worth it.
Thanks for listening. :)
Today on life in mexico {and other places} a picture a day: {4 boys and their dad}
31 comments:
WOW!!!!! How exciting for all of you! :) I wish him all the best in his new adventure. You have got to be just bursting with pride- as you should be! You have raised an amazing young man!
YAY! Congratulations! Take lots of pictures before he goes and be sure to write lots of letters! He will only get to do this adventure at this point in his life so preserve every memory during this awesome experience! I understand Eugene to be a very pretty place (My mom is retired and lives near Salem) so I hope he enjoys the experience and I know you all will miss him!
Yay! That's so exciting.
That is the Mission my Mother in law Live in. She is in Florence on the Coast.
He will love it there. It is a beautiful area. They do have some cold weather..
Emily, Salem is part of the mission also.
Thanks, everyone, for all of the information you're sharing. I'll pass it on to him!
Congratulations! And good luck....it really will be the best two years (maybe not for mom Ü)!!
Wonderful news!!!
yea yea!!!!
I cant beLIEVE you talked all about HIM on MY birthday? No tribute to your oldest daughter, growing up in this unforgiving world? Just kidding. I really dont care. :-) rhats a good picture of him, something that is hard to get
You're right, Bethany! That was a horrible thing of me to do. i should have thought of doing a tribute post! I have thought about your birthday many times today, but I wanted to get all of my kids and and Kristin's kids together to sing to you! Still hasn't happened! But we will, don't worry! How could I ever forget the birthday of my first born? NEVER! Anyway, expect a call from us later. We are heady to Palmyra today, so we will call you after we arrive. Are you having a good birthday! Hope so. Love you!
What wonderful news!! Its because of the missionaries that were serving in Silverdale Washington that I am who I am today.
Congratulations! Aunt Amanda's Bert and his family lived in Eugene while Bert went to grad school. They loved it there.
HE is such a stud! I am so excited for him! And I know the Lord has amazing things planned for that guy! love you forever!
That's so exciting! He will be a wonderful missionary!
Wonderful! Getting a mission call is an unforgettable experience. Take a before picture (I did mine at the temple) because they are very different when they return. Lots of work goes in to raising a missionary, so congratulations to mom too!
That is so exciting! Congratulations!!
VERY exciting!
Beautiful part of the country too! SO very different than where he was living!!
He's SO handsome!!! Congrats on his mission call!
sidenote: seriously, the majority of missionaries we know that have left the past few months ...have been sent to Washington or Oregon. Must be needed over there! :)
Oh my goodness! What wonderful news!!
Congratulations, that is some wonderful good news!!
My parents own a condo in Lincoln City that is rented out to couple missionaries in that mission. What an amazing and beautiful place. Congratulations and Good Luck.
Hm, I was almost expecting to see him here in Italy :(
Eugene is a lovely, green, earthy, liberal city. He will LOVE it and will be challenged. Congratulations to the 18 YOB, and all of you. The blessings will be overwhelming.
Eugene is a very hippy & green city. It is home to a huge college, U of O, so many college kids. It's a big college town. Very green, lots of fresh air and trees. I always really enjoyed visiting Eugene. It is very vegan/veg friendly as well. Someone else already said this, but it is VERY liberal. I think he will like it there.
My Aunt lives there, it is a wonderful place for him to be going.
Job well done in raising him up to serve the Lord. It will be the best two years of his life.
He's going to LOVE the northwest (I should know... I'm from that part of the country!)
Congrats! What a wonderful thing to be sending a valiant young man out to serve the Lord. He'll be amazing. :D
God bless your son (and you!) as he starts his journey!!
Hadn't heard, that's exciting! What a beautiful place he gets to go to and I'm sure the people will be awesome as well. You are all in for a treat!
I'm sure he will LOVE Oregon! My husband is from there, and my Father in Law is actually the mall Santa ;). I adore Oregon and hope to get back out there.
Funny, I was just going to email you a very funny question related to this very thing! Off to email you!
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