Since Justus left I've been doing a lot of reminiscing...I have been anxious to write this post for some time.
When we had our first two children and they were boys, only 16 months apart, we knew the day would come when they would both be serving missions at the same time.
At first, it was just one of those trivial observations that might just pop into your head and then is quickly forgotten.
When Justus came along, I remembered thinking, "How could I love another little boy as much as I love Joseph?". Of course, the moment he was born I had my answer: a mother's love grows exponentially with each child!
Of course, everyone thought they were twins. (Actually, that's just because I liked to dress them that way!)
Partners in Crime!
They were quite different in temperaments and personalities but they had enough in common to enjoy each other's company!
They were always each other's best bud and support in all they did.
Of course, as they entered the teen years, time really started to fly by but they still shared a few more fun experiences together.
Pink Tie Sunday , looking good.
Joseph got his Eagle first, then Justus got his Eagle. Way to go boys!
Going on a double date.
Then the emotional farewell when Joseph was set apart as a fulltime missionary and left for the MTC, later to serve in the Korea Busan mission.
A lot happened since that time.
We moved and Justus stayed behind in St. George and had some growing up experiences. He worked hard, a long ways from his family, and got his money for his mission and then came home a month before he was to report.
Then, once again, we were having a mission farewell, and another Seeley was set apart as a fulltime missionary and saying goodbye.
Yes, all those wise older ladies in church were right. "Enjoy them while they're young because before you know it they will be all grown up and gone."
We thank the Lord for this wonderful opportunity that Joseph and Justus are having. We knew this time would come. We're grateful and not (too) sad to see them leave and have to wait two years for their return.
Go get'em boys! You guys are awesome! We're so proud of you and love you so much!
In Justus' words, after arriving in Concepcion Chile:
In conclusion, I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY! It´s tough taking a bucket shower in the morning. and it´s tough when people don´t want to listen to us, and it´s tough when you can´t speak Spanish that well, but everything else is awesome!!!! I love eating almuerzo (lunch) with members every day and I love sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with people. It´s the only thing that really matters in life. And I get to share it for two years. I´m so stoked.
And then, his words after a couple of weeks in the mission field:
Wow. Missionary work. Missionary work is work! It´s definitely different from what I expected it to be. I always thought I was a pretty spiritual kid and a good teacher and I was going to rip it up in Chile, but I´ve definitely had a slice of humble pie handed to me. It´s hard to find people to teach sometimes. I´ve heard a lot of different excuses. ¨I just got home from work and I´m really tired, come back next month.¨ ¨I already have a church I go to.¨ ¨I´m super busy right now.¨ And the list goes on and on. I really feel for these people though. I can imagine being in each of their places. And they´re not giving us lame excuses. It´s just that I know how important this message is and how it could benefit their lives. I´ve spent a lot of time on my knees asking Heavenly Father to help me find a way to connect with these good people and get the gospel inside their hearts. I havn´t had a lot of success yet, but I know with God all things are possible and if I try my best I´ll be able to become a good missionary.
I like the way Joseph said it:
So, here we have it...... after all that time and waiting and nervous preparation here we are with two of us Seeley boys on two completely different sides of the globe preaching the same message and representing the same Lord with His name pinned to our chests- it really is something isn't it? Who would have ever thought that all those Family Home Evenings that ended up devolving from spiritual lesson to a raucous round of "Guess the Animal" to the family scripture study where everyone had to be reminded of exactly where we were reading would actually result in the beginning of a long line of Seeley elders and sisters "bringing the world His truth?" I guess the Lord knew it all along though, right? Grateful that's He's behind everything and not me.....:)
And so...yes, little boys do grow up to become men and you only have a short time to really influence them for good so make the most of it!!!
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