Dear Jared,
This week I had the opportunity to sit down and read over your patriarchal blessing for the first time. It is filled with so many promises and blessings. What a wonderful guide to have in your life. It really made me stop and ponder on the blessings that the Lord gives to each one of us. They are all contingent on the word "if". If ye keep the commandments, then ye shall prosper...if ye are faithful, ye shall gain eternal rewards...if ye obey the word of wisdom, ye shall have good health...you get the idea.
Anyway, it made me think of balloons. The Lord hands us beautiful bunch of helium balloons. They are His promises and blessings. They are ours to keep. All we have to do is hang on to them. We do our part. That's the "if" part. We can have the balloons if we choose to keep them. As soon as we let go, we loose the blessing. Off floats a balloon.
I can tell you that my life is filled with balloons that I have been given. The lord has blessed me so richly in my life that it is hard to keep track of everything. I know the importance of living a life that is filled with honesty, integrity and virtue, and I enjoy the blessings from doing so. I am so thankful for a son like you who has made good choices and has been able to hold on to the "balloons" you have been given.
I am really proud of you. Keep up the good work.
I am hoping for a couple of pictures this week. Get one of your companion and you together.
I love you so much and I miss your hugs. :)
Love,
Mom
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Sleeping under Sandpaper!
Mar 29, 2011
Hello Jared,
How is it going for you? You are an old timer down there now! Can you believe you only have one more week there? At Bishopric meeting tonight Bishop Olea said that Paul called them from the airport before he left for Mexico. Paul said you are looking good down there and you have a great attitude.
So how many of the missionaries in your district are going the the Indianapolis mission? Is your current companion going there? That would be pretty cool if they match you two up in a year or so as companions out there.
We made the change in the primary presidency this last week. Michelle Meske is the new president with Katie Brooks as 1st counselor and Patricia Meyer as 2nd. We also sustained Josh Sims as a ward missionary. We will be releasing him from Young Men's as soon as we can find a replacement for him.
Who are the General Authorities they have had for your Tuesday evening devotionals? I hope you are excited for General Conference this weekend. I get to work it on Saturday. I got some tickets for the Priesthood session so I think we will get Ivan and Jen to come down and Ivan can take Taylor and Jonathan to the meeting.
I sure am proud of you! You are a fine young man! Keep the faith, pray and study hard. I know you will be successful.
Love,
Dad
From: Jared
Sent: Wednesday, March 30, 2011 9:41 AM
To: Kent Wise
Subject: Re: Weekly Letter
I only have a few minutes to write emails, so I'm just going to write one to you and you can share it with everyone.
Things are really going great here. My time here is almost over, and it's gone so fast. The days are starting to blend together. I can't even remember what I wrote in my last letter, so I hope I don't repeat things.
There are seven missionaries in our district, One is going to Colorado Springs, three are going to Little Rock, Arkansas, and three of us are going to Indianapolis, including my companion. We get along great, so hopefully we'll be companions later (once we both know what we're doing).
The MTC is good now, but I can't imagine being here for longer than three weeks. The district next to us is going to Finland, and they've been here for twelve weeks. I can't even imagine doing that.
By the way, thanks for packing a blanket for me. Judging by the blankets they gave us, they're saving all the fabric for something more important. It's like sleeping under a sheet of sandpaper. Thanks for the package too. The cookies were geat.
All the speakers have been from the MTC presidency, and one of them from the second Quorom of The Seventy. (There is more than one?!)
Anyways, I have to go right now. We're going to the Provo Temple.
Love
Jared
Hello Jared,
How is it going for you? You are an old timer down there now! Can you believe you only have one more week there? At Bishopric meeting tonight Bishop Olea said that Paul called them from the airport before he left for Mexico. Paul said you are looking good down there and you have a great attitude.
So how many of the missionaries in your district are going the the Indianapolis mission? Is your current companion going there? That would be pretty cool if they match you two up in a year or so as companions out there.
We made the change in the primary presidency this last week. Michelle Meske is the new president with Katie Brooks as 1st counselor and Patricia Meyer as 2nd. We also sustained Josh Sims as a ward missionary. We will be releasing him from Young Men's as soon as we can find a replacement for him.
Who are the General Authorities they have had for your Tuesday evening devotionals? I hope you are excited for General Conference this weekend. I get to work it on Saturday. I got some tickets for the Priesthood session so I think we will get Ivan and Jen to come down and Ivan can take Taylor and Jonathan to the meeting.
I sure am proud of you! You are a fine young man! Keep the faith, pray and study hard. I know you will be successful.
Love,
Dad
From: Jared
Sent: Wednesday, March 30, 2011 9:41 AM
To: Kent Wise
Subject: Re: Weekly Letter
I only have a few minutes to write emails, so I'm just going to write one to you and you can share it with everyone.
Things are really going great here. My time here is almost over, and it's gone so fast. The days are starting to blend together. I can't even remember what I wrote in my last letter, so I hope I don't repeat things.
There are seven missionaries in our district, One is going to Colorado Springs, three are going to Little Rock, Arkansas, and three of us are going to Indianapolis, including my companion. We get along great, so hopefully we'll be companions later (once we both know what we're doing).
The MTC is good now, but I can't imagine being here for longer than three weeks. The district next to us is going to Finland, and they've been here for twelve weeks. I can't even imagine doing that.
By the way, thanks for packing a blanket for me. Judging by the blankets they gave us, they're saving all the fabric for something more important. It's like sleeping under a sheet of sandpaper. Thanks for the package too. The cookies were geat.
All the speakers have been from the MTC presidency, and one of them from the second Quorom of The Seventy. (There is more than one?!)
Anyways, I have to go right now. We're going to the Provo Temple.
Love
Jared
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Running a Marathon
I've been thinking lately how preparing for a mission is a lot like preparing to run a marathon. Actually for me, it is a half marathon. A full marathon seems really out of reach. In any case, the analogy works.
First we choose a race we want to run, we sign up for it. Some of your best friends are going to do it with you. Then comes the training. When you first start, the distance is short and very doable. Only two or three miles. Then the miles start increasing and training gets tougher. One day you look at the training schedule and you start to doubt yourself. Am I capable of such a feat? But, you have the encouragement of all your friends and family. Somehow they all have faith in you, Perhaps more faith than you have in yourself.
You just keep plugging along, just doing what the schedule says until finally you have done it. You are ready for race day. Then it all hits. What am I doing? Why did I agree to this? It seems scary and daunting. I even paid for this opportunity. The bus ride to the beginning of the race is long and there is plenty of time for self doubt to creep in. It is early, cold and dark.
Finally, the race starts, it's not so bad. It's actually sort of fun. The sun comes up somewhere along the way. You pass a lot of people and a lot of people pass you. There's lots of adrenaline and excitement. You're doing great. There are definitely some ups and downs along the way, but you keep going. You feel good.
The last mile is the hardest. You are ready to be done. You are running out of energy, but you push on. You set small goals to keep you mentally awake. You stay focused. You cross the finish line with your head held high. Life is good.
You did it. You had an amazing experience. There is a lot of pride in your accomplishment. You are stronger and better off for having completed such a goal.
Such is your preparation for a mission. You choose to do it. You spend years training; going to church, to Seminary, praying, reading scriptures and Family Home Evening. You submit your papers and wait for the call. Then the doubt sets in. Can I do this? Am I ready? Have I trained enough? There is worry, stress and anxiety about the unknown.
Then the day arrives to go to the MTC. It's race day. There is a lot of emotion, excitement and anticipation. It's not so bad. There are other people there that you know. The fear of the unknown melts away like a Popsicle on a hot summer day. You can do this.
You have your ups and downs, just like in the race. But you are strong and you stay focused. You rely on the Lord during the tough times. Before you know it, you are approaching the finish line. Your mission is coming to an end. The last bit is the hardest. You have to stay focused. Finish with your head held high. It's hard because now you will say goodbye to all the amazing people that you have passed along the way, the friends that you have made. You may not ever pass this way again. It was an amazing experience. You are so much better off for having done it. You are stronger. You have so much potential. Although you have have blessed the lives of many, you are the recipient of most of the blessings.
I write this as I am training for yet another half marathon. I'm in the self doubt mode. There is a lot of training that lies ahead. Am I capable of doing this again? Of course I am. It'll be hard, but once I cross that finish line, I'll be so proud of myself and so full enthusiasm and confidence that I will probably do it again.
First we choose a race we want to run, we sign up for it. Some of your best friends are going to do it with you. Then comes the training. When you first start, the distance is short and very doable. Only two or three miles. Then the miles start increasing and training gets tougher. One day you look at the training schedule and you start to doubt yourself. Am I capable of such a feat? But, you have the encouragement of all your friends and family. Somehow they all have faith in you, Perhaps more faith than you have in yourself.
You just keep plugging along, just doing what the schedule says until finally you have done it. You are ready for race day. Then it all hits. What am I doing? Why did I agree to this? It seems scary and daunting. I even paid for this opportunity. The bus ride to the beginning of the race is long and there is plenty of time for self doubt to creep in. It is early, cold and dark.
Finally, the race starts, it's not so bad. It's actually sort of fun. The sun comes up somewhere along the way. You pass a lot of people and a lot of people pass you. There's lots of adrenaline and excitement. You're doing great. There are definitely some ups and downs along the way, but you keep going. You feel good.
The last mile is the hardest. You are ready to be done. You are running out of energy, but you push on. You set small goals to keep you mentally awake. You stay focused. You cross the finish line with your head held high. Life is good.
You did it. You had an amazing experience. There is a lot of pride in your accomplishment. You are stronger and better off for having completed such a goal.
Such is your preparation for a mission. You choose to do it. You spend years training; going to church, to Seminary, praying, reading scriptures and Family Home Evening. You submit your papers and wait for the call. Then the doubt sets in. Can I do this? Am I ready? Have I trained enough? There is worry, stress and anxiety about the unknown.
Then the day arrives to go to the MTC. It's race day. There is a lot of emotion, excitement and anticipation. It's not so bad. There are other people there that you know. The fear of the unknown melts away like a Popsicle on a hot summer day. You can do this.
You have your ups and downs, just like in the race. But you are strong and you stay focused. You rely on the Lord during the tough times. Before you know it, you are approaching the finish line. Your mission is coming to an end. The last bit is the hardest. You have to stay focused. Finish with your head held high. It's hard because now you will say goodbye to all the amazing people that you have passed along the way, the friends that you have made. You may not ever pass this way again. It was an amazing experience. You are so much better off for having done it. You are stronger. You have so much potential. Although you have have blessed the lives of many, you are the recipient of most of the blessings.
I write this as I am training for yet another half marathon. I'm in the self doubt mode. There is a lot of training that lies ahead. Am I capable of doing this again? Of course I am. It'll be hard, but once I cross that finish line, I'll be so proud of myself and so full enthusiasm and confidence that I will probably do it again.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Calling the MTC!
So, an entire week has passed since we dropped Jared off. I of course have been praying for him every single minute, wondering how things are going, hoping he is adjusting and that he is happy and I have been worrying. His friend told me that in the MTC, they just have one big community shower, a "tree of life", I believe he called it. The first night I couldn't stop worrying about that. How would he handle it? He's really modest and usually never even goes swimming without a t-shirt on. Finally, Thursday morning I couldn't take it anymore and I did the unthinkable. I called the MTC. I asked the lady at the front desk about the shower situation. She totally put me at ease. It is not true. They DO have private showers. All that worry for nothing.
Last night I went to a school event and ran into my friend, Tammy, whose son went into the MTC the same day as Jared. She has revived two letters and an E-mail from Bridger since last week. She asked me how Jared was doing. Boy, I wish I knew. I have heard nothing from him. I sent him an e-mail on Sunday and it came back with an error and couldn't be delivered. He might as well be in Zimbabwe. I couldn't take not knowing any more and I called the MTC again. This time to find out why my e-mail wouldn't go through and to find out when his P-day was. It's Wednesday. TODAY! I checked my e-mail every ten minutes all morning until Mikayla finally said, "Mom, it's only 7:35, give him some time". I headed off to work, anxious to have something to to to get my mind off of it. But before I left, I dropped off a box of freshly baked cookies to be delivered to him today, just so he knows that I love him.
The first thing that I did when I walked in the door this afternoon was check to see if I had a letter, and lucky for the lady at the front desk at the MTC, I did.
Here it is, short, but oh so sweet:
Dear Mom,
I've still got one up on Taylor. It's not how fast you were going when you got pulled over, it's about how fast you were going WITHOUT being pulled over. Good thing he didn't get a ticket, because he still owes me $50, and I expect to recieve it.
Anyways, Things are going great here. I've met a ton of friends from highschool as well as a lot of new friends. I've got a really great companion that reminds me a lot of Tim. This guy's huge. He's 6'5" and 290 lbs of muscle. He's a really nice guy and we're getting along great. We had our first "investigator" and the lesson went way better than planned. We had planned for almost three hours for this guy's needs and ten minutes before we got there, they said he didn't show up so we had a new investigator. We quickly planned a lesson for the new investigator, and when we went to teach, it ended up being a completely different guy. Things went great though. I'm really learning a lot here and it's amazing. The MTC is way better than anyone said, you just have to have the right attitude coming into here.
Love,
Jared
PS There are no group showers.
PPS Taylor, I want my $50
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Faster than the Speed of Traffic
Dear Jared,
I guess I had better get into the habit of writing to you every Sunday afternoon. Of course I have been thinking of you every day and wondering if you are doing alright. I am so anxious to hear from you that I can hardly stand it.
You had better send me a letter every single week so I can be at peace.
We are out in Vernal today. We came out to go to my cousins wedding over in Colorado. It was a long trip for a quick ceremony, but it was nice. Finally Greg has joined the family. It wasn't in the temple, so that was a little disappointing but it's still good that they got married. Hopefully they will get to the temple some day.
There is no school tomorrow, so we are just going to hang out here until tomorrow and do nothing. Nichole and Shane went on a little get a way to Las Vegas so Grandpa and Taylor went out yesterday afternoon and got all of her kids, so they are all here. It's kind of a madhouse, as you can imagine. Dash just shoved Bransen off of the air mattress and Dash went flying too. He landed on his head and started wailing. Never a dull moment.
We came out late Friday night and Taylor was driving. He has a little bit of a lead foot...you know how he has the need for speed...anyway, he was going 78 mph when he finally saw the light...lights, I mean, the flashing red and blue kind, that caused him to come to a complete stop. He pulled out his license (his almost license, his learners permit) the registration and the insurance information. Then the officer checked to see if we all had on our seat belts, took the info back to the squad car and made us wait for a few anxious minutes. Finally she (yes, I said SHE) came back and gave Taylor a WARNING...can you believe his LUCK? I think about twenty minutes passed before his heart was beating normal again. He must have batted his baby blues at her and she let him off. Can you believe that? He's pretty proud that he's one up on you. He said you were only going 12 over. Ha ha ha
I got a little note on FB from Jared. He said he knows that you are going to be an amazing missionary. I know that you will be too. You are an example to many. I am proud of you and I love you so much.
Keep your really fun sense of humor and keep smiling. We are praying for you!
Love,
Mom
Sent from my iPad (weird, huh?)
I guess I had better get into the habit of writing to you every Sunday afternoon. Of course I have been thinking of you every day and wondering if you are doing alright. I am so anxious to hear from you that I can hardly stand it.
You had better send me a letter every single week so I can be at peace.
We are out in Vernal today. We came out to go to my cousins wedding over in Colorado. It was a long trip for a quick ceremony, but it was nice. Finally Greg has joined the family. It wasn't in the temple, so that was a little disappointing but it's still good that they got married. Hopefully they will get to the temple some day.
There is no school tomorrow, so we are just going to hang out here until tomorrow and do nothing. Nichole and Shane went on a little get a way to Las Vegas so Grandpa and Taylor went out yesterday afternoon and got all of her kids, so they are all here. It's kind of a madhouse, as you can imagine. Dash just shoved Bransen off of the air mattress and Dash went flying too. He landed on his head and started wailing. Never a dull moment.
We came out late Friday night and Taylor was driving. He has a little bit of a lead foot...you know how he has the need for speed...anyway, he was going 78 mph when he finally saw the light...lights, I mean, the flashing red and blue kind, that caused him to come to a complete stop. He pulled out his license (his almost license, his learners permit) the registration and the insurance information. Then the officer checked to see if we all had on our seat belts, took the info back to the squad car and made us wait for a few anxious minutes. Finally she (yes, I said SHE) came back and gave Taylor a WARNING...can you believe his LUCK? I think about twenty minutes passed before his heart was beating normal again. He must have batted his baby blues at her and she let him off. Can you believe that? He's pretty proud that he's one up on you. He said you were only going 12 over. Ha ha ha
I got a little note on FB from Jared. He said he knows that you are going to be an amazing missionary. I know that you will be too. You are an example to many. I am proud of you and I love you so much.
Keep your really fun sense of humor and keep smiling. We are praying for you!
Love,
Mom
Sent from my iPad (weird, huh?)
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Leaving the Nest
I'm not really sure where to begin on this really hard day. It's not what I expected. For nineteen years I have had a house full of children, running, screaming, crying, needing me, demanding my attention. I would sit in the middle of a crazy, busy house and wonder what life would be like when they all moved out and the house would stay clean and quiet for just a few minutes. I hate to admit it now, but I looked forward to it.
The past few weeks have been a roller coaster ride for sure. I have been so excited for Jared to experience mission life, to be able to learn, grow, share, serve and experience things that only a missionary can. Then the worry would pop up. Have I taught him all the things he needs to know? Does he know how to go grocery shopping, can he cook simple meals, is his testimony strong enough to keep him going?
Yesterday I was helping him pack and try to box up the rest of his things. I guess I got a little emotional and he told me "Pull it together, Mom". It was later that evening, after he got set apart as a missionary, when it all hit him. I could see the fear in his eyes. The poor kid is terrified of the unknown that lies ahead.
I asked him if he needed a blessing from his Dad and he said he did.
Things got a little better after that. He didn't seem quite so panicked. We finished up a few last minute things and he headed to bed. This morning when I woke up, my eyes were puffy and bloodshot from crying myself to sleep. I decided I had better hold my emotions in and make it easier on him. Every few minutes a tear would leak down my cheek but I did pretty well at holding it in.
I decided I had better get in a really good hug at home, because from what I have heard, they don't allow much time at MTC. I grabbed Jared really tight and hugged him hard, trying to memorize how if felt. He is a great big teddy bear and he gives awesome hugs. I should say, if I have done anything right as a mom, it is that I require my kids to hug me before they leave home, no matter where they are going. I have enjoyed many hugs from my children over the years, but none have even come close to this one. He patiently held me as the minutes passed. It wasn't near long enough.
The trip to Provo was pretty quiet. None of the kids had much to say. Taylor read a few scriptures and we asked a few last minute questions. We were going to go out to eat, but Jared didn't have much of an appetite.
The drop off was just as expected. Missionaries were standing by to help with luggage and to greet us. We took a couple of pictures and one last precious hug. I bee lined to the car before he could see me fall apart. I couldn't bear to watch him walk away.
All the way home I kept thinking of a mama bird, feeing her babies nourishing them, protecting them, watching them grow and fill the nest until one day when she gently nudges them from the nest, watching with faith and praying that she has taught them enough so that they can fly off and survive on their own.
I just pushed him out of my nest!
Now all I can do is pray that he can fly. Jared, I love you so much! I am proud of you. You are such a great kid who has never given us any trouble. I have always been able to trust you and have confidence in you. You will do awesome. Now, forget yourself and go to work. Fly Jared, fly.
The past few weeks have been a roller coaster ride for sure. I have been so excited for Jared to experience mission life, to be able to learn, grow, share, serve and experience things that only a missionary can. Then the worry would pop up. Have I taught him all the things he needs to know? Does he know how to go grocery shopping, can he cook simple meals, is his testimony strong enough to keep him going?
Yesterday I was helping him pack and try to box up the rest of his things. I guess I got a little emotional and he told me "Pull it together, Mom". It was later that evening, after he got set apart as a missionary, when it all hit him. I could see the fear in his eyes. The poor kid is terrified of the unknown that lies ahead.
I asked him if he needed a blessing from his Dad and he said he did.
Things got a little better after that. He didn't seem quite so panicked. We finished up a few last minute things and he headed to bed. This morning when I woke up, my eyes were puffy and bloodshot from crying myself to sleep. I decided I had better hold my emotions in and make it easier on him. Every few minutes a tear would leak down my cheek but I did pretty well at holding it in.
I decided I had better get in a really good hug at home, because from what I have heard, they don't allow much time at MTC. I grabbed Jared really tight and hugged him hard, trying to memorize how if felt. He is a great big teddy bear and he gives awesome hugs. I should say, if I have done anything right as a mom, it is that I require my kids to hug me before they leave home, no matter where they are going. I have enjoyed many hugs from my children over the years, but none have even come close to this one. He patiently held me as the minutes passed. It wasn't near long enough.
The trip to Provo was pretty quiet. None of the kids had much to say. Taylor read a few scriptures and we asked a few last minute questions. We were going to go out to eat, but Jared didn't have much of an appetite.
The drop off was just as expected. Missionaries were standing by to help with luggage and to greet us. We took a couple of pictures and one last precious hug. I bee lined to the car before he could see me fall apart. I couldn't bear to watch him walk away.
All the way home I kept thinking of a mama bird, feeing her babies nourishing them, protecting them, watching them grow and fill the nest until one day when she gently nudges them from the nest, watching with faith and praying that she has taught them enough so that they can fly off and survive on their own.
I just pushed him out of my nest!
Now all I can do is pray that he can fly. Jared, I love you so much! I am proud of you. You are such a great kid who has never given us any trouble. I have always been able to trust you and have confidence in you. You will do awesome. Now, forget yourself and go to work. Fly Jared, fly.
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