Over Mother’s Day, my husband’s aunt told me something wonderful that a complete stranger did to serve her. Her second son is on a mission, and so, of course, has been out of touch. However, a bishop’s wife called her up to let her know that her missionary was doing fine. In another ward, a sister (not sure if it was the bishop’s wife again, or just a member) emailed her some pictures. These contacts help to set her mind at ease.
As a mom of four young children, I feel like I am constantly worrying. Of course, unlike dh’s cousin, my kids haven’t quite grown into common sense. I feel like I spend half my day saying ‘don’t’. Don’t jump off the back of Daddy’s truck. Don’t climb up the ladder. Don’t run out in front of cars. Although I worry less about my six year old than I do about my two year old, I still worry. It’s a mom thing.
I can’t imagine how much I’ll worry when my kids grow up and serve their missions. Don’t get me wrong; I’ll trust in the Lord to take care of them, and I’ll be glad they are going. But to go two years and only get four phone calls from my kids…you’d better believe I’ll worry!
The sisters who contacted the missionary mom both had young men serving missions. I guess they knew how hard it was. As I sat at the table with the moms in my husband’s family, we all marveled at how we had never even considered calling or emailing the moms with a quick head’s up. “Your kid is doing fine. We love him/her here. We really are feeding him!” Everyone knows that a nineteen year old will tell you he’s doing fine, even if he’s in a gang banging, drug ridden neighborhood. He may even tell you that – “I’m fine, even though we have a drive-by shooting every three days and the ten year old downstairs is selling drugs.” That should set your mind at ease! (Do I want my kids to tell me that? I’m not sure yet.) But how wonderful to hear that from a third party.
So I’d like to offer a challenge to you readers. Talk to the missionaries in your ward and ask for their parents’ phone number or email address. Then, take five minutes out of your day and help set their mind at ease. Let them know that their child is loved and watched over, even though they can’t be there.
Who knows? Maybe when your kids are on a mission, someone will give you a call!
Related Articles:
Three Ways to Help Your Local Missionaries
Five Ways to Support the Missionaries