The Mission Papers and Patience

Since he was a little boy, or for almost 19 years Benjamin has had a goal.
To serve a full time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Finally the time has arrived.

Taking the steps to become a missionary is a big process.
For Ben it started with a meeting with the Bishop.
Then a log in and beginning the process of filling out those papers.
Doctors visits to get a clean bill of health
Wisdom Teeth Extraction

Meeting with the Stake Presidency to become an Elder.
Then the patience part comes into play.
Our dear Stake President passed away.
So Ben's papers must wait until we receive a new Stake President.
The counselors cannot submit mission papers.
We found out we wouldn't get a new Stake President until November 18th.
That would be almost 8 weeks.
8 weeks to test a young man's patience.
8 weeks filled with friends receiving their calls
8 weeks of waiting
But we made good use of the time.
We were able to listen to Benjamin bear his testimony in front of the High Counsel
He talked about learning young, through his trials, that relying on the faith of his parents wasn't enough.
He had to have his own faith.
Ben was ordained an Elder on Sunday October 21st by his dad
with family, grandparents and good friends present.

I am so proud of the man Benjamin is becoming.
He has such a desire to serve the lord.
I know the waiting has been hard.
But we/he also know it's in the Lord's time.
Benjamin will serve when and where the Lord wants him to serve.
Benjamin and a friend of his recently called upon their Melchizedek Priesthood
to give a blessing to a woman at the facility where Ben works.
She felt she needed a blessing and couldn't get a hold of anyone to come give her one.
So Ben and Aaron, his friend who is leaving on a mission in a few months had the privilege.
It is amazing to me to see the growth from boy to man I am already seeing.

Next on the list while we wait patiently
The Temple.