Matthew has a plan for the next several years. The plan starts with serving a mission as soon as possible after he graduates in June. Months ago, he had figured out to the exact day when he could open his mission papers and when he could submit them based on his date of availability, which is about five seconds after he graduates. The papers were opened in November and completed and submitted on January 7. It took the stake president about another week to review them and send them on their way, and then the waiting began.
Because of Matthew’s severe food allergies, we honestly do not know what a mission will look like for him. We have heard stories about missionaries with food allergies who have really struggled with eating safely in the mission field. And most of those have been missionaries with only one or two allergies. In fact, there is a young missionary from our ward (well, our previous ward before it was discontinued) who came home in part because of unsafe eating situations in his apartment, lack of understanding from companions, and the completely understandable unwillingness of ward members to feed the missionaries out of fear about not being able to do so safely.
Matthew has half a dozen severe allergies to some extremely common foods, so we really have had no idea how a mission would look for him. In the past few years, both service mission and proselyting mission applications have been exactly the same and the service missionaries have become a part of the full-time missions. The opportunities available for service missionaries seem to have expanded and the church has really been trying to educate members about those opportunities and teach all of us that service missions are not lesser missions, they are just different and allow those who would not be able to serve as full time proselyting missionaries to serve in ways that fit their needs. Service missionaries live at home, and with all his food needs, we have realistically thought that might be where Matthew ends up serving.
Matthew has been a pillar of faith about the whole thing. He honestly feels like he will be called to serve wherever and however the Lord needs him and he is completely fine with whatever the Lord has planned. Having said that, he will admit that he would love to be able to go somewhere besides home to serve. But he has placed his life in the Lord’s hands. And he has been an amazing example to me of what faith looks like. Because let’s be honest. I’m totally stressed about the eating situations Matthew might encounter out in the mission field. It’s not that I don’t trust him, it’s that I don’t trust everyone else to understand and choose to be cooperative and supportive about the changes that would need to be made to normal kitchen activities, cleaning routines, and daily schedules in order for Matthew to eat and live safely. Of course, it’s likely that all I’ve heard are the times when things go wrong rather than all the times when they go right. Because let’s face it, the bad stories are the ones that get circulated. But like I said, Matthew has shown an enormous amount of faith and is going to happily serve in whatever capacity he is called to.
Although mission calls usually arrive on Tuesdays, at about 4:30 yesterday Matthew flew up the stairs and told me he was headed to the temple. I was confused because the temple is closed on Monday, but then Matthew explained that his mission call had arrived, and he was headed off to open it. He told us some time back that when his call came, he wanted to be alone on the temple grounds to open it. He needed the opportunity to get the personal revelation necessary for him to know that it was the right call for him. It’s not that he doesn’t trust the Prophet and the Lord, it’s just a desire to get that confirmation for himself. So as soon as he got the email, he headed out the door.
He came back an hour and a half later completely calm. He told Kevin and I the details of his call and shared with us the fact that he knows it is the right call for him. Then he scheduled a Facetime call with Daniel and Nathan for later last night. He shared his news with all his siblings during that call. After school today he headed up to visit both sets of Grandparents to tell them in person. And this evening, masses of friends and neighbors gathered for the big reveal. As our house was filled with people, I was struck by just how big Matthew’s support system is. He has made an impact on the lives of a surprisingly large number of people. He is in band, choir, and stage tech so his friend groups are large and varied. He was only two years old when we moved into our house, so there are neighbors and friends from the wards that have known him nearly all his life. And as I looked around, my heart was filled to overflowing with gratitude for all these people who love and support and encourage him. And it wasn’t even any of our family since he took the time to tell them separate from the large group gathering.
So now that I’ve pontificated greatly, y’all are probably urging me to actually get to the point and answer the big question. And the answer is…Arkansas Bentonville Mission speaking English. Matthew has been called to serve a full-time proselyting mission. And he is thrilled beyond all belief. His start date is July 14, so he will have five weeks after graduation to finish preparing.
We have only known about this call since last night, but I find that my prayers have already changed. Instead of praying that Matthew will be able to serve safely, I find myself praying for the miracles we need to be able to facilitate his missionary service. And I am praying that we will be able to do our part and find the right paths that will lead us to those miracles. Because the Lord has called Matthew to serve, and He will provide a way. We just need to find it. Basically, I just need to get out of the way and let the Lord work His miracles. And open my eyes to them because they will be there. Yes, I still have concerns, but the food allergy mama in my head is surprisingly calm this evening. I guess Matthew’s faith is rubbing off on me.
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