My Porter

In my post yesterday, I mentioned my son, Porter is on a mission for our church.

 He left August 18, 2010 and he won't return until August of 2012.

(For those of you who don't want to do the math, that's still 10 months away...)

His mission is a two year commitment.

I'm so proud of him.What he's doing isn't easy.

But...
I miss him like crazy.

Porter is kind, generous, compassionate.

He has a fun sense of humor, a huge heart, the ability to love unconditionally,

...and a great laugh.

We get letters and emails from Porter every week and we get to talk (Skype if we're lucky) to him twice a year - on Mother's Day and Christmas Day.

That's all the communication we get. And I understand why.
The church wants missionaries to focus on what they are there to do.
I get it.

But...
There is a hole in my heart because he's not here.

A mission requires sacrifice - for all involved.
Porter is sacrificing 2 years of his life to serve the Lord.
We are sacrificing 2 years with him so he can serve the Lord.
And it's worth it.

Every day he's out there he is learning and growing.
I can't begin to explain the exponential growth that he has gone through in the past 14 months.

He's learned to trust the Lord.
To follow the promptings of the Spirit - to follow where it guides.
He's learned to put his needs aside and be concerned about the needs of his fellow man.

He's gained confidence in himself. He is learning to be a leader.
But most importantly, he's learned the true JOY you feel when sharing the gospel.

Sacrifice is giving up something of great value...

...for something of far greater value.

Thank you Porter for giving these two years of your life to your Savior.
I know He will accept your sacrifice.

I will freely sacrifice unto thee: I will praise they name, O Lord: for it is good.
Psalms 54:6

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