I learned that a Mom really does survive having her son gone for two years on a mission. The first few weeks after Greg left I wondered if that was true. Don't get me wrong I am so happy that both of them have chosen to serve, and to give up two years of their life to share their testimony of Christ. But I do miss having them around. March 3rd was Taylor's hump day. Only one more year. I love having the countdown. Only two more phone calls, two more General Conferences and one more Christmas. 
Then we get this goofy kid back. We know his crazy personality is the same and we look forward to his e-mails every week. But the best part is I get a Son who has learned to put his whole trust in his Heavenly Father. Who understands that with his help anything is possible. Who has seen lives changed for the better and has learned to listen to the promptings of the Spirit. These are the lessons that I'm grateful he has learned while serving. 
I wanted to share a part of his e-mail that we received today.
"We didn't have any set appointments the whole day, blegh...But as we were leaving an apartment complex I saw a homeless man limping across the street. All of a sudden he looks at me "I;m going to commit suicide, I want to kill myself." Me "Don't do it! I know God loves you and cares about you."
Man "What does God care about me?" Then he comes over and sits down and shows us his destroyed knee. He vented all of his anger toward God for letting all this happen. I swuatted down by him and just listened for a while. He was actually pretty sane. He told us about how some guys had beat him up for ten dollars. He told them to just take the money and leave him alone but they beat him up anyways. He started tearing up and I almost cried too. Then he wanted me to read some stuff in the Bible so we did. I just reassured him that God did love him. He asked "Why does everyone hate me? You're the first ones that have even come close to talk to me". I helped him up and you could feel a different spirit. He told me "I'm not going to kill myself." Then we said goodbye and he to look for some food in the dumpsters. I can't ever be the same after an experience like that. The Lord puts us in the right places at the right time. If we are living right he will do miracles through us. I know nothing is impossible with God.
I love what mission does to these young men.
3 comments:
That was sweet.
Oh, how I love that boy.
Thanks for sharing that wonderful story. What an amazing missionary you have. He looks just like his Dad too. That was a nice uplift in my day.
That was such a sad story. Glad Taylor was able to have a positive impact on him - good thing he was at the right place at the right time. Time goes by so fast he'll be home before you know it!
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