Some days it just seems like my eldest daughter lives a million miles away. Okay, I'm exaggerating, she lives between 4000 and 5000 miles away. Anyway, today we got her our usual weekly email and she sounds so great. She has this incredible enthusiasm for missionary work and she loves the people, loves her companions, loves it all. Those emails definitely get me over my own little pity party when I start to throw one. I wouldn't change where she is for the world. For example: I love this picture of her that she sent last week. She and her companion were visiting some members and they put her companions plaque on their daughter and she walked around with Brooke to show off her early missionary skills. It is just so fun to see that beautiful smile and feel that enthusiasm!
I remember my own mission very vividly and the experiences that I had there were life altering. I grew up (mostly, some would argue it has yet to take place), I grew a firm testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ, I learned that I was loved by my Heavenly Father, I learned that I can't worry about others opinions, nor can I get in the middle of how others think or feel, I learned that the scriptures really do have the answers to life's difficult questions, I learned that I have something to learn from everyone that I meet and that I was stronger than I realized (and that's just scratching the surface, I am still learning from those experiences). Those were things that I was never going to learn or do through religion classes or in my own daily life. Those classes were useful and good, but it was actually living the missionary life that made the difference. I know that her experiences will be completely unique to her and her needs (she is far more spiritually mature than I was I went out). I am just thrilled that she has the opportunity to learn the lessons she will need in her life. I can't wait to get to know her after her mission.
Yeah, I can wait, but I am really looking forward to it!
