Bud is Home!

My awesome nephew, Christian (aka Bud to me and most of his other aunties), came home from his mission today. For those of you not of my faith, I will explain that at the age of 19 a young man can choose to submit paperwork to serve as a full-time missionary. He must pay his own way, agree to go anywhere in the world and must abide by a very rigorous schedule and some very strict guidelines (which includes spending every bit of your time, other than a few hours per week allowed to write a letter home, shop, and do laundry called "preparation day" in the service of his fellowman). His main goals during that time are to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to serve God's children in any way that He can. Girls also have the opportunity to do this, if they'd like, when they turn 21. I chose to do it and was asked to serve in San Antonio, Texas (Spanish speaking). The time I spent as a missionary was extremely difficult and extremely rewarding. I wouldn't give up that time for anything in the world. With all of the choices and freedoms that a young man has by the time he is 19, I am always amazed at how many choose to go forward. I have already had two nephews serve missions, both sons of my oldest brother, Mark. Adam served in California and Paul served in Oregon. Mark's youngest son, James, is currently serving a mission in Japan. Christian's father as well as all of the uncles and his grandfather on my side of the family served missions as well, so he had a lot of good examples already set for him. But still, it is a very individual decision and from personal experience, I can tell you that a mission is definitely no vacation and is not something that you can just coast through. It takes a lot of dedication and strength (physical, mental, and spiritual). I can also tell you that if you serve a mission and if you are obedient, you will forever be changed for the better.

I never had any doubt that Christian would choose to serve a mission. Christian is faithful and kind. I remember even as a young boy how he would be so bothered if he heard kids teasing others or making fun of them. He is very thoughtful and sensitive. He loves God and has a testimony of the atonement of Jesus Christ. He is also very funny, cool, athletic, musically talented, and handsome. I have loved this boy since the day he was born and am so proud of him!
One of the requirements during these two years is that the missionary have no contact in person or by phone with family or friends. He may write once per week and that is all, with the exception of a phone call on Christmas and Mother's Day. My sister, Kathy, never thought she could make it. Although she was very happy and proud that he chose to serve a mission, when he left she was practically inconsolable. But she got stronger and stronger and happier and happier as she saw what an incredible man her boy was becoming. And today, after serving with all of his heart in the heat of Jamaica, he is home! I caught him reuniting with his mom. She was SO nervous at the airport waiting for his arrival! We discussed that the feelings were actually similar to when you are in delivery awaiting the birth of a child.

Below is one of the last photos that Christian sent to us. He spent the majority of his mission in Kingston and neighboring areas that were extremely poor, dirty, and hot. He often referred to these areas as the "cement jungles". They were also dangerous and he witnessed some very sad and terrible things. But he loved the people, he served them and God tirelessly, and he changed many lives. His last area (another side note for those of you not of my faith, missionaries are always in sets of two for safety and companionship and are switched from one area of the mission to another every couple of months) was out on the coast. I am so glad that he was able to spend this most memorable time in such a beautiful area. He still worked with people and served in areas that were dirt poor, but he walked home along cliffs overlooking the ocean each night. This photo makes me smile and also makes me want to cry because coming home from a mission is very difficult and is very sad in many ways. Of course you are excited to be with your family and friends again and happy to be able to do all the things you weren't allowed to do before (like be alone with a member of the opposite sex, sleep in, and watch a movie!), but there is also a great sense of loss as you have to leave behind the place and the people that have become your whole life. Christian lamented the fact that whenever he returns to Jamaica in the future, he will just seem to everybody as another white tourist, whereas for these two years many have taken him in as one of their own.Christian, if you see this, know that we all love you and are SO proud of you! We are glad to have you home and will pray for you as you adjust back to a life that by nature is much less spiritual. We will also pray for the beautiful Jamaican people that you love so much. I'm sure many of them are mourning your absence.