I Love Missionaries

Alright I know I already wrote a post today, but I had something else to say :)
Yesterday was Easter, it was also my cousin Charlie's mission farewell :( I am so proud and happy that he is going on a mission, but he is like my twin brother. We have grown up with each other all our lives and we have done so much together. My mom and aunt wanted their children to know each other and feel like they had an extra set of siblings so growing up we got together ALL the time, at least 2 or 3 weekends a month.

My mom's side of the family all lives so close to each other. She has 1 sister who lives in SLC about 10 minutes from their parent's home. Her 2 brothers live within 1 mile of us. We create a triangle of love :) We have done so much together. From the spur of the moment get-togethers, which happen at least once a month, to Christmas, Thanksgiving, Birthdays, Baptisms, Blessings, Easter, Valentines day, 4th of July, Halloween, to the 3 week trip to New Zealand. We pretty much do EVERYTHING together.

It is hard to imagine holidays and birthdays without Charlie, but the only thing that makes it alright in my mind is that I know he is going to serve the Lord and he is going to make an amazing missionary. In his talk yesterday he told everyone about why he was going on a mission. He said that he had never even considered not going on a mission, but one night after he got his mission call he wondered why missionaries were needed. He was reading the scriptures and came upon Alma 29:9. Going on a mission is not for us, it is for the Lord and those who we can bring to the restored gospel. Although going on a mission is not for us it brings us indescribable joy. Just hearing him read about missionary work was a testimony builder to me.

I have seen many people go into the mission field, but I have never had anyone so close to me leave. I am sad and happy all at the same time. I am so excited to see the way he changes on his mission and the new man that comes back in 2 years.

Charlie I love you!