Today will be another one of those memorable blips in time for our family. Elder Jason Edward Otis is coming home from Los Angeles tonight! He's been serving a full time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for two full years.
As a family we have seen amazing personal growth in Elder Otis. He has become a spiritual giant of sorts. He's gained personal self esteem in many areas of his life including his gift as an accomplished singer. We always knew he had it in him to be amazing! It's nice to know we were all so right!
In the previous months, Elder Otis has been a zone leader and has done a very good job from what I hear. He is on top of the world and has loved every minute of his mission. He loves the Lord dearly and takes each day in stride.
His letters home have been filled with joy, fun and a depth we love to hear in his written voice. He has found his gift for writing and has begun putting his pen to paper while writing a book. I have to say that makes me a very proud mom!
The thing I've heard the most from people who write to me across the miles-- is that he makes people weep as they listen to him sing. He has such a pure voice and such a spiritual depth to his presence, that it is a joy to listen to in a congregation. Personally I think his testimony of Jesus Christ rings true through his music. I feel this fact to be true. I can hardly wait to hear it myself very soon.
As we've written back and forth through the past two years, I've gotten to know my son a lot better. I have come to respect him and love him a great deal more. Gone are the childish antics of days past. He has matured and become a giant among men. It's a blessing to hear from perfect strangers about the good he has accomplished.
I have laughed right out loud when I've read his letters. His playful banter and description of the moment when he was being persecuted by one homeless man and defended by another after Prop 8 was passed-- will make for great reading for years to come. His new found spiritual maturity will serve him well in the years to come.
Gosh I can hardly wait for the plane to land tonight at 9:07pm! We will be the rowdy, expectant family, smiling from ear to ear-- while waiting at the base of the escalator for the first peek at our return missionary. My heart jumps at the thought and I know that many others are feeling the same way today.
They do come home. I'm so grateful! We all love him so much.
No comments:
Post a Comment