Circle of Love

(written by Mom)
Tonight Joshua was set apart as a full-time missionary.  Our family dressed in our church clothes and went to our church building.  There we witnessed as all three members of our stake presidency, our bishop, and David gathered around Joshua, placed their hands on his head, and gave him a priesthood blessing, authorizing him to begin his service as a full-time missionary.  It was a beautiful experience.

After we got home, our family gathered in the living room.  Some of our cousins came over too, which was a nice surprise!  We started a new family tradition that we hope to continue on the eve of each of our children leaving the nest.  We're calling it "The Circle of Love", and is an idea we learned from some dear friends of ours (Kjars).  We had Joshua sit in the middle of the room, and each person had a chance to say three specific kinds of things to him:  ask him a question(s), share advice, and give a compliment or tell him what they loved or appreciated about him.  Here are some of the things that were shared:

Questions:

• Q:  (Joseph)  Are you excited? Worried?  A:  Yes and a little.  Mostly worried about the language and wondering if I'm smart enough to really learn how to speak in Spanish.  The "One Semester of Spanish Spanish Love Song" is about the best I can do right now!
• Q:  (Ruby) Do you know who your companion is?  A:  Not yet, but my mission president's name is President Maluenda, and my friend Mike Packer will be coming to my mission in a few weeks.
• Q:  (Nelson) Is it okay if I rearrange our bedroom?  A:  Sure, as long as your bed isn't right next to mine when I come home.  
• Q:  (Hannah) How long will you be in the Mexico MTC?  A:  6 weeks.
• Q:  (Davis) How early do you have to get up?  A: Tomorrow at 4:30 a.m.  On my mission, every day at 6:30 a.m.
• Q:  (John) How much do you weigh?  A:  About 220 pounds.
• Q:  (Sam) What is your favorite piano song?  A:  I have lots of favorites, but my current favorite is Clair de Lune by Claude Debussy.
• Q:  (Sam) What is your favorite color?  A:  Green.
• Q:  (Elizabeth)  What is your favorite book series?  A:  The Stormlight series by Brandon Sanderson.
• Q:  (Mom)  What are your favorite treats you'd like to find in a package sometime?  A:  Minty gum (especially Five Gum "Rain"), Starbursts, Twix, Kit Kat, Milky Way, homemade bread, homemade orange chocolate chip cookies.  
• Q:  (Logan) How much weight do you think you'll gain or lose on your mission?  A:  Hopefully I'll maintain where I'm at, but it wouldn't be too surprising if I went up or down 20 pounds.
• Q:  (Dad) What is one of your favorite memories?  A:  A Family Home Evening we had at Bountiful Park about the Tree of Life.
• Q:  (Annabelle)  How are your emailing rules different from Grandma and Grandpa's on their mission in the Congo?  A:  Grandma and Grandpa can get on their email or FaceTime whenever they want (as long as they have power), but they can't receive any snail mail at all.  I'll be able to email once a week, receive packages once I get to Texas, but will only be able to call or Skype on Mother's Day and Christmas.
• Q:  (Emily)  How long do you think it will take you to learn Spanish?  A:  Hopefully within 3 months after the MTC, I'll be able to carry on a conversation.
• Q:  (Scott)  How many hearts will you be breaking by leaving for two years?  A:  Good question!  Haha!

Advice:

• Wear deodorant.  (Annabelle)
• Be nice to your companion.  (John)
• Remember that it's okay to have hard times.  You will make it through.  Trust in the Lord.  (Dad)
• Respect the agency of others.  You can't force things with others, including investigators and fellow missionaries.  Just love them, teach them, and respect their agency.  (Dad)
• Hugs… not drugs.  (Logan)
• Don't gain too much weight.  (Nelson)
• Keep a good record of your experiences through your journal, pictures, and letters.  You will see many miracles during the next two years, and you'll want to remember.  (Mom)
• Be grateful and express it.  (Mom)
• The Spirit is what counts.  Always invite the Holy Ghost to be your constant companion.  That's how you'll best be able to do Heavenly Father's work.  (Scott)
• Use every day that you have.  Give what you have to give that day, so you'll have no regrets.  (Emily)
• Have fun!  You can be serious and still make it fun.  (Joseph)
• Don't get fat by eating unhealthy food.  (Davis)
• Don't miss me too much.  (Hannah)
• Don't come home early… unless it's something super serious.  (Hannah)
• Follow the rules.  (Hannah)
• Become friends with the members of the wards and stakes you'll be serving in.  (Hannah)
• Be friends with your companion on the very first day you meet them.  Really get to know them.  They might end up being your best friend ever.  (Elizabeth)
• Teach the Gospel.  (Sam)

Compliments, Praise, and why we think Joshua will be a good missionary: 

• You are always kind.  (Ruby)
• You have always been a peace builder.  You are easy to talk to.  You are a problem solver.  (Hannah)
• You are obedient, consistent, and perpetually optimistic.  You have a tender heart and love the Lord.  You are a teacher and leader.  (Mom)
• You are a passionate person.  You put your whole heart into life and give 100% in everything you do.  (Emily)
• You have always set a good example for me.  You have a good work ethic and are balanced in all areas of your life.  You put first things first.  Nobody is perfect, but you always give it your all.  (Nelson)
• You are amazing on the piano!  (Annabelle)
• You are good at math and are a good teacher.  You really care about people.  (Hannah)
• You are a hard worker and obedient.  (Dad)
• You are easy going and fun to talk with.  (Joseph)
• You are a peacemaker and a logical thinker.  (Davis)
• You make the best bread and cookies.  You are always nice and help us fix our bikes.  (John)
• You are nice.  I like it when you read to me and help me.  (Sam)
• You are dedicated, smart, reliable, confident, and humble.  (Scott)
• You are outgoing and not shy.  You are really nice.  Thanks for always letting me borrow your books.  (Elizabeth)
• You are responsible and have integrity.  (Logan)

After we finished sharing, we sang "I Hope They Call Me On a Mission", knelt in family prayer, and did our family cheer.  This event made us stay up a little later than usual, especially on the night before having to get up super early, but it was totally worth it.