Called to Serve!
We’re so excited today that we can’t help but share our happy family news…
(It’s not a post about games today. So if that’s what you’re after, feel free to skip this one about family events.)
Our oldest son Trevor has been called to serve a church mission in New Jersey, USA, Spanish speaking!
This year we’ve written a couple times about the changing family dynamics as kids start to leave home. It’s a new and exciting time in our family.
The first to leave is always a new experience. Even though Trevor left for a semester at college recently, we’ve been able to see him often for family activities or college football game days. But leaving on a 2 year mission is a different story altogether.
Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Mark 16:15
Missionaries are one of the more recognized characteristics of our faith – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (often referred to as Mormons). Many people are familiar with seeing two young men in white shirts, ties, and name tags. With more than 83,000 LDS missionaries currently serving around the world, you may have seen them as well.
Without going into too much detail, for those less familiar, here’s a quick overview of LDS missionary work:
First and foremost, missionaries take the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ into all the world. They spend 100% of their time focused on sharing the blessing of the gospel with others. This involves gospel study and teaching as well as humanitarian and community service.
Missionaries serve on a volunteer basis and pay their own way (or with help of family, friends, and other church members). Young men and women spend many years preparing to serve as missionaries. And it’s been great helping and watching Trevor prepare himself for this great opportunity.
It also means we won’t see our missionary son for 2 whole years!
Of course we’ll stay in contact. But it will be through one-a-week emails (or letters) and twice-a-year phone calls (Christmas and Mother’s Day).
Fun with Family and Friends
So last night we had a gathering of family, friends, and neighbors to open Trevor’s missionary call (packet) and find out where he’s been asked to serve.
Everyone that came (and those that texted in beforehand) got to guess where in the world he’d go. The person that guessed closest would even win a gift card – donated by grandma. (I guess that could officially count as a game.)
It was a fantastic night.
And all the support is wonderful to feel.
He’s super excited.
We all are.
Having served as a missionary myself, I know that amazing experiences are headed Trevor’s way. And I’m super excited for both he and the people he’ll meet and get to love on his mission.
Congratulations Trevor!
More information on LDS missionaries and their preparation, assignments, and daily routines can be found here:
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints – Missionary Work
Congrats to your son!
I’m currently in Washington DC on business, but this is the place I served my mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 15 years ago.
Also playing Agricola: All Creatures Big & Small, a great 2p easy to travel, game with my wife!
Brad – I bet it’s great to get to revisit areas you came to know so well. We haven’t tried Agricola: All Creatures Big & Small yet – we’ll have to give it a go.
Wow, that’s great! Congratulations Trevor! I’m excited for you.
I have a sister on a mission right now in the California Sacramento mission speaking Spanish as well. It has been great for her. The funny thing is that I also happen to live in the Sacramento mission boundaries and I know the office couple missionaries. When she first opened her call and read it I thought she was joking, but now she’s less than 20 miles away from me.
Aaron – that’s a cool story. Thanks for sharing.
Congrats!
Thanks Daniel!
May he become as good of a man as his father. Congratulations.
DB – Thanks for the kind words.
Congrats on the happy occasion from Somerset, NJ. I served in Brazil.
Congrats! I’ve got a son that’s been out serving for 15 months now, so I know the excitement you’re feeling as a family.
And thanks for the cool site! I enjoy your reviews and have discovered some cool games that me and my family now enjoy together. I came across it a couple of years ago when I was looking for a new game to try out with my family and was tickled to discover it was from someone of my faith too!