Game Changer

When it was announced earlier this year that missionaries would be allowed to call home once a week, I was openly pleased and secretly relieved. I knew this would be a game changer for us. Instead of sending Daniel off and having only written contact (except for the Christmas and Mother’s Day phone calls), we would be able to talk to him regularly. In talking to Daniel about it, he was openly relieved. Being isolated from his family for two years brought a large amount of anxiety and knowing that he would be able to talk to us more regularly was a comfort.

We got to talk to Daniel yesterday and it was, indeed, a game changer. I’m a worrier by nature so of course I’ve been all stressed out for the past week. My stress level eased considerably after a lengthy video chat with Daniel. Words can be deceptive, but as his mother, I can read his face pretty darn well. And he’s happy, full of light, feeling comfortable with his companion and his district and adjusting well to the MTC. He is learning tons. He gave us the “trying to catch the output of a firehose with a Dixie cup” analogy. He also said that every time he learns something amazing his first reaction is wanting to share it with us…but he can’t. I guess that having an 18-year-old who really wants to talk to his parents means we’ve done something right. He’s taking lots of notes, journaling his impressions and thoughts and learning as much as he can. Meeting elders from all over the U.S. and talking to them about what their lives are like has made him realize just how sheltered, and just how blessed, we are to live here. In the weeks leading up to his mission, he went to the temple frequently, sometimes three or four times a week. His companion lived an hour away from a temple, pretty close in relation to the world as a whole, but not close enough to be able to go on a whim. And while Daniel has four or five non-members in his contact list of about 65 people, his companion has four or five members in his similarly sized contact list. He already loves the people he is with which, in my opinion, is vital to becoming a successful missionary. Love is the driving force behind wanting to teach people about the gospel.

Daniel is doing well. I know that challenges and struggles are inevitable, and they will help him learn and grow, but for now, he’s at peace. And seeing that he is at peace, hearing him talk with enthusiasm and the Spirit, brings me peace as well.