I know Brian reads my blog on his P-Day. So, even if you don't know Brian, would you please comment and thank him for serving. I think it would be fun for him.
I will start.
Brian, I'm so proud of you for serving a mission. I know what a sacrifice it was for you to leave school and your friends. But you were excited and willing to serve. I am amazed by how much you are growing. You are not the same person who left here 18 months ago. You have matured so much and learned so much. Enjoy your last 6 months. Someone said today that these would be your best 6 months. You know the language, you understand what you are doing, you know just how important the work is. Make the most of the time you have left. Keep working as hard as you have been working, and these last 6 months will be wonderful. You have been a blessing to our family, and I am so proud of you. Love, Mom
6 comments:
Brian, I want to thank you also. It is a very large sacrifice and tough to leave school - so thank you for all you have sacrificed to serve those in the Dominican Republic.
I know that the two years my husband served his mission changed him and made him a much better man. I have no doubt that you have become a better man and that the experiences you have had on your mission - both good and bad - have prepared you for the rest of your life.
Thank you for your example to other young men in the Ward on your unwaivering, unquestioning desire to serve a mission.
Thank you for sacrificing time with your family - you have a wonderful family and I know that being away from them for 2 years must be hard.
Thank you for doing the right thing - you will never regret it.
Your family is proud of you - I hear it in every sentence I read of your mothers blog - her excitement, and joy and pride in you just ooozes through the computer screen when she writes about you - even when it is something as insignificant as a 'Great Coat'! Thank you for making her (and the rest of your family) so happy - she is a good friend and it thrills me to see the joy in her face as she speaks of you.
And as proud and happy you have made your family - you have made our Heavenly Father even happier.
Sincerely,
Lori Hurst
Elder Brian,
When Nephi left Jerusalem with his family, he described himself as "being exceedingly young, nevertheless being large in stature," (1 Ne. 2:16). However, only a short time later, after he slayed Laban, he described himself as "a man large in stature" (1 Ne. 4:31).
A man. What changed? He followed the dictates of the Lord, he heeded the Spirit. You have done the same in accepting a mission call, living a worthy life, obtaining a testimony of the gospel. These two years change you from a gangly, silly teenage boy (uh, no offense) into a man of the Lord.
I am so grateful to you for making this choice. The blessings of the gospel I enjoy are directly due to the missionary efforts of a pair of sisters who taught my mother when she was about the age you were when you left. I know your family is blessed forever for your service and your good example.
Thank you! Now, go rip it up for six more months!!!
Jennifer Ruggles
Brian,
Wow! What an accomplishment - 18 months! I am so proud of you and all of the hard work you are doing as you serve your Heavenly Father and His children in the Dominican Republic! Yes indeed, you have made a huge sacrifice to serve a mission, but the blessings you are and will receive throughout your life, far outnumber those sacrifices. The people whose lives you have touched will forever remember you as the young missionary who brought the Gospel to them and changed their lives forever. I know that to be true, because that is how I feel about my missionaries - and you should also - it is because of them your mother joined the Church and then met your dad. We have all been blessed because of the Gospel. The growth you are experiencing could never have occured while going to school. You have matured spiritually and emotionally, and when you come home in 6 months, you will be a different man - a better man. But you still have 6 wonderful months to serve Heavenly Father - so serve with gusto, faith and much love! Share the wonderful Gospel of Jesus Christ and continue to bless the people of the Dominican Republic.
Heather and Steven send their love.
I do need to mention Michael, because as you have served for 18 months and have 6 months to go - he has served 6 months and has 18 months to go. He is doing well in Brazil - he loves the work and loves the people that he is serving also.
We love you Brian!
Aunt Chris
Brian -
18 months! Who would have thought they'd go by so fast? It seems like just yesterday that I was picking on you (as older sisters are supposed to do, right?) and now you've been serving a mission for a year and a half!
I know I'm not good about writing you, but I've been reading the emails you send mom every week. I'm so impressed with how much you've grown and how much you're learning. I can tell that sometimes you're discouraged, but you always try to write about the good things you see around you in the DR.
I love how convicted you are about what you're doing down there. I love how willing you are to serve the members of the church and help get the Lord's church organized correctly. I love how much you've taken to the rural towns, and how well you've learned the language. (I also love your spelling mistakes!) I love how you suddenly love cooking (where did that come from?) and how you bought pimp pants.
Mostly, I love how much your testimony has grown. I know you are doing the right thing by serving a mission, even though it's hard sometimes, and I am so proud of you. It makes me happy to tell people that my brother is serving a two-year mission in the DR. You are a blessing to all of us and a great example to me and the boys. Thanks!
Love (your fantastic big sis),
Kimberly
Elder Clutter,
Greetings from beautiful Colorado! We lived in the Mission Bend Ward about 4 years ago and I've recently connected with your mom through blog land. Aaron & Jared are now Seniors, Zach a Freshman, and Parker and Haley are in Elementary School.
Anyways, we are thrilled for your progress and service in the Dominican Republic. The world so needs your message. Thank you for being willing to sacrifice so much. Know that members all over the world are praying for your sucess and giving thanks for your dedication and obedience.
With love,
The Loertschers
Brian,
Wow, you are certainly rockin' it in the D.R.!!! We moved here to Richmond about a year ago and in 6 short months we will get to meet ya'! You are sure a fantabulous example to many and I want to say thank you to you for that. I know it is a sacrifice for you to give of yourself and serve for these 2 years and I admire and repect you for that.
Thank you for your hard work and dedication. It'll be great to meet you when you return. We adore your family soooo much!
Keep on rockin' it...
Shelley Simiskey (and Family :)
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