A post from Mom (and our Skype call!!)

Family picture (missing our oldest daughter Kellie)
Mom, Elder Penman, brother Ray, and Dad

A post from Elder Penman's Mom:
Hooray for Mother's Day!  For those who aren't Mormon, our young missionaries (18-21 year old boys and 19-22 year old girls) commit their hearts and souls to serving the Lord for two years. They have one day per week to catch up on laundry, shopping, and emailing their families, and THEN if there's time, do a fun activity.  No phone calls home, no social time.  They don't mind though.  It causes amazing growth in them as they forget themselves.  They don't only try to proselyte but they also do service for those they come in contact with.  They are really living as Jesus' apostles did in going forth and sharing the gospel to every kindred, tongue, and people.  They can Skype home two times per year, once on Mother's Day and once on Christmas.

"And after that they did separate themselves one from another, taking no thought for themselves what they should eat, or what they should drink, or what they should put on. And the Lord provided for them that they should hunger not, neither should they thirst; yea, and he also gave them strength, that they should suffer no manner of afflictions, save it were swallowed up in the joy of Christ."

Yesterday, during our hour long Skype call, our son told us thank you for helping him to serve during this time in his life. He loves it so much.  He can't imagine doing anything else. He has grown in so many ways.  He has deepened his personal relationship with our Savior, Jesus Christ.  He loves the people in Scotland and Ireland so much.  He desires to help them be happy and to bring them unto Christ.  To see him leave our house as a kind, but normal teenager at 18 and grow into this man we see before us 9 months later brings us great joy.

For this mom's heart, I appreciate it when my non-Mormon friends tell me stories of meeting the missionaries, being kind to them, giving them a ride, buying them a soda, giving them a smile.  They are there not to change you, just to share with those people who might be interested in the message of the restored gospel. Those missionaries represent my own son.  I thank you from the bottom of my heart on behalf of their mothers that you are kind.  It's okay to say no to them.  But if you think of it when you meet a Mormon missionary on the street, maybe take a "selfie" with them and ask if you can send it to their mom's phone.  She will LOVE IT!!

With Elder Penman's companion Elder Forbush

All kinds of youth all over the world are reaching out to serve their fellow man.  It doesn't have to be through a church mission.  It helps them to see the bigger picture of the love that God has for each of us and to be an instrument in His hands. Hooray for missionaries, peace corps volunteers, volunteers at charitable organizations, those who serve in the military, or any number of things that youth can do to serve mankind.  You warm my heart.

Thanks to all you "angels" out there watching out for our kids.

Love,
Elder Penman's mom