Missionary Man

About this time two years ago, a young man walked into our church one Sunday.   He was nicely dressed- bright blue dress shirt, tie and black slacks.  He had come because he liked a girl that just so happened to be Mormon.  He noticed her happy attitude and admired her family dynamics and realized he wanted something like that too in his life.
The boy frequented often, wearing the same bright blue shirt, and sitting at the back of the church all alone.
Derrick was the Young Men's President at the time and noticed this young man sitting in his weekly lesson.  Introductions were made and a familiarity began.  After about 6 months of church attendance, the young man started meeting with the missionaries.  Lessons were given at our home and as a family, we joined in.  It was surreal watching the events unfold- line upon line, precept upon precept being understood.
As the boy grew in knowledge and faith, other things began to change in his life too.  He was transforming right before our very eyes and soon he realized how divine his nature is because, he was, and is a Child of God.  That in itself is a very beautiful story, but the story continues........
This young man, Javier, was baptized a little over a year ago in July by Derrick.  Ward members and missionaries were there in attendance and it will always be a very special memory for me.
The progress continued in this young man.  He purchased suits.  He was eager to bless the sacrament.  He frequented the temple doing baptisms and he anxiously visited church sites and even attended general conference.  They asked him to help in primary, give talks with high council, and even teach in elders quorum.
Javier visited with us on Sundays and this is where he learned and practiced basic concepts such as prayer, priesthood ordinances, preparing lessons and talks while building his faith.  We grew in those concepts too, but most importantly we started realizing how much we love and adore him.

Now, Javier is serving the Lord as a missionary in California.  The summer was filled with paperwork, missionary shopping, preparing for the temple, his farewell and open house.  The night before he left, we all gathered for his setting a part and said our last good-byes trying to hold back the tears.  He has been on his mission for 2 months now, and although the time has gone slowly, his letters show growth.  He is changing from a boy missionary to a missionary man.