Tyler and I took a whirlwind trip this past weekend—we flew out to Cali to hear my brother give his farewell talk and to be there with him and my family as he was set apart as a full time missionary for the LDS church. Eric will be serving in the Chile Concepción mission. He reports to the MTC tomorrow and will be gone for two years—my heart is aching.
I have always been very proud of my baby brother—all of us have—but I was never so proud of him than I was on Sunday as I sat with my husband, mom, gramma, and sisters listening to him speak. Suddenly I understood why the Lord calls 19 year old boys to serve and teach the gospel. I sat there and it occurred to me that Eric was no longer a baby or a goofy, moody, teenager—no, he had become a polished, refined young man.
Since it was Father’s Day Eric spoke about his Dad and his Heavenly Father. It was a touching and well planned address. As Eric spoke I watched my Dad seated on the stand and thought ‘what better Father’s Day gift could he have gotten?’ What a compliment to my Dad and Mom to have raised such an amazing kid.
And so now comes the hard part—the goodbyes—how do you say goodbye for two whole years? I am sure some heart ache will be involved and a lot of crying—my family is genetically incapable of not crying. It is a bittersweet feeling—so much happiness and sadness at the same time.
Eric, we are so proud of you and love you so much! You will be in all of our thoughts and prayers.
Elder Kuykendall, there is no doubt in my mind that you will be an amazing missionary!
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