¡Pura Vida!: Some Momma Musings (post authored by The Momma)

Elder Willis did not have much time to write this week before boarding a bus in Limon for the mission home in San José, so I'll just share a few tid-bits with you from my letter. I love (duh) hearing from him, and this will give me a chance to share some thoughts with you. So feel free to skip this week's post if too much momma pride makes you cringe. I'll understand ;)
He writes . . .

"Is it bad if I don't write a mass email this week? Nothing really different happened and I don't even have any pictures haha"

Then he had ALL this to say AND a picture. He's so funny.

"Ok so tomorrow, another Elder and I are gonna be in San José getting our fingerprints done and there is some stuff I'm gonna buy in San José.
1. I need to buy some leather because we have this investigator who is a shoe-repairman and also makes a lot of souvenir-type stuff and he's gonna make me some scripture cases! I'm super excited, these cases are gonna be legit handmade Costa Rican leather and from an investigator. Too cool. Earlier this week we made some little necklace type things with him out of coconut. I'll send you a pic of what I made.
2. In San José they have something called Pricemart, which is basically Costco or Sam's Club. There they have basically anything from the states. They have a giant bag of Krusteze pancake mix!!! It lasts about a month and a half, makes about 300 pancakes. Super excited about that."

My son and his stomach. Pancakes. Nope, it doesn't take much to make the boy happy. It's the simple things.

"Made this little sun out of coconut. I shucked the coconut myself and everything. I need to try to find some string or something to make it a necklace."

I love that you can see his scriptures open in the background of this picture. Making the medallion with his investigator makes me think of a story from my husband's mission in Spain. In a nutshell: A new member's husband was very antagonistic and not at all supportive of his wife's new faith at the time of her baptism. But he eventually softened, 21 years later, and was baptized. What made the difference? Well, the Spirit, of course. But also the missionaries, who had asked "may we come teach you?" for years were turned away until some sweet Hermanas asked "will you teach us how to make your famous beans?" And the rest is history. I am so grateful our missionaries love the Tico people so much and strive to serve them as they teach.

And then with this response to my "nervous-Nelly / mother-hen" inquiry about any discouragement or down days, he taught me a great deal in a few short sentences on loosing yourself in the work. He put my mind at ease and uplifted me with his example of obedience, humility, and optimism. Here is a small part of what he said . . .

"Of course there are days like that, it wouldn't be a mission if there wasn't. But I'm being completely honest when I say there is really nothing to worry about. It is hard out here mom, harder than anything else I've ever done. . . . But I can honestly say that I've never gone to bed with any of those feelings. Bad days always find a way to turn into good ones by the end of the day."

It makes my poor momma heart melt to see my son serving and enduring oh so faithfully and with long suffering as the Savior exemplified and taught. I am so grateful for this Easter season which helps me focus on our Savior and his perfect Atonement. I know that He suffered and bled from every pore so that I may become clean. And I know that he did this for me because he loves me. He loves us all, perfectly.

Then Elder Willis must have had to run for the bus, but not before some momma love and a thoughtful wish for success on all my sewing for his niece-on-the-way. I absolutely LOVE the sensitive and compassionate young man he is growing into. Love it!! (Sorry, I warned you ;) )

"Our bus to San José leaves in about 20 minutes. We'll get into SJ about 8:00 tonight. I love you so much mom. Say hi to the fam for me. Good luck with the sewing!

Keep On Keepin' On...
- Elder Willis"

Well, there you have it. Lots to say, even though there was "nothing new." Haha, I love this boy! I'm gonna throw some of my favorite pics up on here, just because I can. Thanks for following Elder WIllis's journey. I love to hear how many of you read and enjoy this blog. I tell him in every letter any time you ask me about him. I think it really lifts him up to know that he has so much love and support. Thank you, thank you.