sacred sabbaths: blessed day

Mar 24, 2013

Oh! What a joyous day this has been. My Josh (he is not really mine, but I love him to pieces and I feel he is a little bit mine because of how much I love him) is leaving on a mission for our church to Calgary, Canada. Today he spoke in Sacrament meeting and it was simply wonderful to hear him share his thoughts on the Savior, serving Him, and spreading the good news of His gospel. He has grown up so much since I met him almost six years ago. He is the big brother of Madison, Blythe’s dear friend, who goes on so many of our adventures with us and the son of Jana, my dear friend who inspires me to be a better mother and wife every time I am with her.

It seems I have arrived at the stage of life I never envisioned. The stage where my children’s friends and my precious youth who I have taught for the past many years are leaving their families and moving on to college, missions, and marriage. It all started when Tanner (Josh’s older brother) left to go serve the Lord in Russia last year and then Kate got married and now a whole slew of people are leaving the nest. Josh, Dustin, Morgan, and HeatherJane are all leaving for missions in the next few weeks. Vanessa and Aliysa are embarking on college.

And me? I am so excited for them. Thrilled to pieces for these youth that I love. But also, a little melancholy. I am sad for me and the holes that their leaving gives me. Sad for the missed hugs, book discussions, temple trips, and ice cream nights. Our family has so enjoyed these youth and have loved being part of their lives.

And now they are flying away. Everything their parents and mentors and friends have hoped for is coming true. They are mature, responsible, virtuous, committed youth determined to make a difference in the world. It’s a beautiful thing and my heart is full with joy at the thought of them moving on.

But I will miss them fiercely.

And their leaving shows me how very short the time is that I have left with my own children. We will be doing this same mission dance with Blythe in two short years.

After we got home from Josh’s farewell, I rushed in the house, gathered up the materials for my Relief Society lesson and hurried over to my meeting to teach. I hadn’t been able to prepare much this week and although I had a lot of thoughts I hadn’t written even one word down and had no idea what I was actually going to say. Thankfully the Lord gave me ideas on the spot and prompted me to ask certain questions, share certain stories, and testify of certain things. It turned out beautifully. I love my calling! I love sharing and loving and guiding and learning with the sisters in my ward. We are all still getting to know each other and it is a little strange giving so much of my heart to women I hardly know, but we are coming together as a ward and hearts are slowly being woven together.

Now it is evening. Tomorrow night is Passover and our big annual Seder. We are all working together to get everything ready for our guests. Oh, how I love Passover!

As soon as Passover is over, my family will be here to visit for almost a week! I can’t wait to snuggle Miss Oaklyn Noel and play catch with Easton and laugh myself silly with Mom and Mikelle.

I love the Sabbath. I love the ritual of having a pause every seven days to ponder my relationship with my Savior, my husband, my children, and my self. I love partaking of the sacrament. I love listening to the hymns. I love having my husband home.