Missionaries

Today my parents entered the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah, where they will spend five intense days preparing to be missionaries for our church. They will serve in the Charlotte, North Carolina, mission for 18 months. Charlotte is only 1 1/2 hours from us, but my parents will actually be living in Yanceyville, North Carolina, which is four hours away. Still a lot closer than Utah!

Serving a mission is a privilege in our religion. David (Italy) and I (Argentina) both served. My siblings (Taiwan, Japan, New Hampshire and Philadelphia) have served. My dad served in New York City at the World's Fair when he was younger. Both sets of my grandparents (Guatemala and NYC) served when I was a pre-teen and their example has stayed with me all my life. My grandad served in Brazil in his youth, leaving his new bride who gave birth to a daughter who died after only a few hours while he was gone (husbands no longer leave their wives to serve missions). That bride, my granny, even served a mission without my grandad when she was in her 60's. It was hard for her and I have always been humbled by that sacrifice.

I know it will be hard for my parents to leave their home, friends, life and especially their grandkids. The littlest ones will be completely different 18 months from now. But I also know that their example will serve as a benchmark for generations to come.

I love you Mom and Dad!