Give it up.

On Sunday in church we got a little off topic and someone mentioned missionaries and how they leave everything behind to serve the Lord. There are a lot of religions that go out and preach the good word. I am not sure the criteria for other religions but for the LDS (Mormon) church our missionaries give 2 years to the Lord (or 18 months if you are a girl and the elderly have more options). Their only contact with family and friends back home are the 4 phone calls home (total) and the weekly emails/letters.

That seems standard. Especially if you are a member you completely understand all of that.

I was sitting there thinking about EVERYTHING they give up. I have never fully thought about it.

Friends
Phones
Movies
Sports
Marriages
Births
and for the elderly their home...leaving everything. 

Just think of all the crazy things that happen in 2 years. 

I always think "that isn't so hard" but when I really sat and listed all of the things they give up it really makes me appreciate them even more. 

Your love for the gospel has to be so strong in order to leave all of that behind for 2 years. 

730 days.

When I chat with the missionaries or see them riding around town I don't look at them as young 19 year old boys that were just enjoying their favorite sports team or tv show and texting their girlfriends and now they have no contact with any of that. How admirable. 

We need to be more grateful for our missionaries and the sacrifices they give. 

Would you be able to do that? And if you have gone and served a mission how hard was it? 

"Best Two Years"

In the world we live in today it is hard imagining something being known as the "Best" not involving technology or socializing with family and friends.

I think we all need to sit down and really thank the missionaries. 

I am grateful for my husband who served in South Carolina. My Brothers' who served in Russia and Chile and my brother-in-laws who served in Canada and Chile (still currently serving).

-Jerilyn