Sacrifices and Miracles of Going on a Mission
This week my son (Brian) received his mission call. If you have been involved in this process – as a parent, family member or friend, it is exciting (and a bit nerve racking for parents).
As 19 year olds we all thought we could conquer the world. Some of the worries that parents go through don’t even occur to Elders as they send their papers in. On the church’s new missionary system for submitting missionary applications – a missionary can know when his call is in the mail. “The computer said it was in the mail October 12 – I will die if it doesn’t come this week (week of October 22). In the old days the letter came when it came.
Brian opened the call in Lethbridge and then drove home to share the news with us his parents – and then the world. When Brian came in the door – I offered him my 1982 name tag – he looked at it and said “Sorry this tag won’t work where I am going…” When we found out he was going to the Mexico Vera Cruz Mission his parents were nervous and excited all at once. Is Mexico safe? Is anywhere safe? What if he gets sick? What if…?
On the same day Brian’s friend Spencer received his mission call. Once we finished supper they were out (two by two) around town sharing their news with everyone they knew (and perhaps a few people they didn’t). What added to Spencer’s excitement was that he was going to the same mission his friend (our son Brett) is serving in.
Brian phoned and got permission from Brett’s mission president to phone Brett (Elder Ficiur) and tell him of his call. They were excited because now at family gatherings these two will be able to speak Spanish and we won’t understand what they are saying. (Sometimes when kids speak English I still don’t understand what they are talking about).
Brian and Spencer are two of over 20,000 missionaries who receive a mission calls every year. In the LDS church we have become so accustomed to young people receiving their mission calls that sometimes we don’t realize what a miracle each call is. It is more than just putting off education, marriage and fun for two years. It is more than parents and / or missionary paying $480 a month to keep them out. It is a great leap of faith – an expression of testimony. Just like each conversion story is a miracle – each mission call is a miracle. The story of a young person (or retired couple) who has felt the spirit touch them and overcome the obstacles in their path to let them serve.
Around the world there is nothing like the missionary program of the church. One non LDS friend told me when he was in Japan years ago he was having trouble finding food he liked to eat. He knew the solution – find the Mormon missionaries –they would know where to find good North American food in Japan. Around the world when you see two clean cut young men with white shirts and ties walking around (or riding a bike) you have a good idea that these are missionaries. One Sub Sandwich Company has a commercial where two young men (who look like missionaries) come to the door and one loses control and takes a bite out of the lady’s sub sandwich. The ad ends with a phrase even good guys lose control over these sandwhiches.
When Brian and Spencer leave on their missions – the media won’t hound them for interviews. They will quit their jobs and leave on their missions. Searching the internet I found two Canadian LDS missionaries that have received some media attention for their choice to serve a mission.
Dalin Tollestrup was Rookie of the year in all of Canadian University Football in 2006. Now he is serving as a missionary in El Salvador. As an outstanding quarterback, would Tollestrup lose his football touch while being gone for two years? Time will tell. However, Elder Tollestrup took that leap of faith and went where he was called (not a real football hot bed) to serve.
“Coach Nill (of Univeristy of Calgary) will face another obstacle this year, as rookie dynamo quarterback Dalin Tollestrup has left the team for a two-year Mormon mission. Tollestrup accounted for 74% of the team’s 2965 offensive yards last season, and his arm and scrambling ability will have to be accounted for.”
http://snakewilson.blogspot.com/2007/08/wild-wild-west-2007-canada-west.html
Further East in Saskatoon, the University Football Huskies have taken on Freshman quarterback knowing full well he won’t be back for his sophomore season.
Trent Peterson is from Calgary. His father Greg Peterson played ten years with the Calgary Stampeders – and still does the radio color commentary for the team. The following article was in the Star Phoenix newspaper about Peterson’s mission plans.
“May 5, 2007 Star Phoenix
"(Taking two years away from football) can be good and bad," Peterson said Friday before a spring camp workout at Griffiths Stadium. "It helps a person mature and grow physically. It can be bad if you lose what you gained the first year, but I don't think it affects you to the point where you're unable to get it back.
"You've got to work out, stay in shape and stay in touch with the game or you'll lose a lot of what you gained. And I plan to do all that." Coach Towriss says the Peterson family was up front with him about Trent's plans during the recruiting process.
http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/news/sports/story.html?id=b47a43e2-2fb4-44fe-8199-e009cba6517a&k=10699
“After being the most heavily recruited quarterback in western Canada, former Lord Beaverbrook standout Trent Peterson has signed on to play this year with the University of Saskatchewan. On the heels of leading Alberta to its first under-19 Canadian crown since 2000, the 6-ft., 170-lb. son of former Stamps star Greg Peterson will redshirt this season before going on a two-year Mormon mission ... Speaking of missions -- of sorts -- University of Calgary Dinosaurs standout rookie quarterback Dalin Tollestrup is now in El Salvador serving his two-year term.”
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Columnists/Francis/2007/07/23/4361224-sun.html
http://huskies.usask.ca/profiles.php?s=1&g=3&pid=80
One time our small ward had 9 missionaries in the field. In a town of 1500 the people in this non Mormon town noticed when missionary after missionary goes out. One community member asked one of the missionary’s parents “How do you people MAKE your boys go on missions?”
How do we MAKE them go? The amazing thing is that we teach them to go and pray for themselves – by themselves … is this gospel true, should you go on a mission? When the spirit touches them and they get their answers – nothing can stop them for going and serving the Lord.
Elder Brian Ficiur in front of the Palmyra Temple
Dalin Tollestrup was the top rookie in Canadian College Football in 2006. Now he is serving as a missionary in El Salvador
University of Saskatchewan Quarterback Trent Peterson made it clear that after his first year of University he was going on a mission.
