The Not so Prodigal Son Returns

Yes, it is true! Young Son, AKA Willie, soon to be known as the former "Elder Banks" is coming home! Hurray! That is such sweet music to his Mommy's ears! (Those would be my ears, whose else?)

It is less than a week when he will grace our doorsteps again and brighten our hearts with his presence. Tomorrow it will be exactly 2 years since he left for the North Carolina Spanish Speaking Mission. Two LONG years! In that time, I have talked to him about 4 times. Once on each Mothers Day, and once on each Christmas. Not a lot of contact! He wrote letters and emails, as did I. I really started to fall down in the letter dept, I just couldn't seem to get into it much, emails were so much easier.

For those who don't know what the little pyromaniac is doing in the above picture, it is standard Missionary custom to mark the passage of time with a symbolic "burning" of the vestments. After a missionary has been in the field for 6 months, he burns a tie. After 12 months, he burns a shirt. At 18 months, he burns a pair of slacks, and when the 2 year mark has been reached, he burns an entire suit! I guess it helps with packing, I don't know.

Now I am wondering just why he already burned his suit when it wasn't a full two years yet? Did he jump the gun, or is my timetable awry?

I got a Valentines Day card from him the other day. Oh, it was SO sweet to go to the Post Office, and find a pink envelope for me from him. I wanted to savor it, so I clutched it to my breast as I walked back to work, wondering what sweet sentiment I would find inside.

I climbed the stairs, sat down, and proceeded to open it. It was bulky, there was obviously something inside besides just a card. When I pulled out the card, I noticed something fall out, but I was much more focused on the sweet message inside. It went something like this:

Dearest Mother,

Happy Valentines Day! Sister Teruingu says "Be proud to be HIV free! Get tested!"

So then I looked at what fell out, and yes, it was a condom.

What a guy.....

He went on to tell me "I love you Mommy!" (He knows I am a sucker for being called Mommy)

"I am practicing safe missionary work!"

"Love Young Son" <------ still a bit crude

Well! Don't I feel special? I mean, HOW many mothers of Missionary boys got a condom from them on Valentines Day? Just me I venture to guess!

So back to the big day! He comes home, we will all hug and cry and be unbelievably happy! Rusty will be hosting a welcome home Willie dinner on Saturday, March 1st, and I was able to get Jamie to come also! All the way from San Diego! It should be great fun, because the kids haven't all been together for such a long time. I don't even remember the last time.

Let the Fun begin!