MMTC

I recently had a conversation with another MM, we were talking about the different ways that Missionary Mommas Group on Facebook has helped us. She said "it's like an MTC for Mommas" and you know what???  I think she's right!  I have learned so much over the past year from the comments and posts that have been posted in the MM Group! I now know that each mission has different rules that the Mission President puts into place for the missionaries he is responsible for in his mission. I know waaaaaaay more than any one person needs to know about shipping and handling! I can pop off about 50 different fun treats to send to my missionary.... and cute quotes to go with them! And, most days, I can tell ya the weather conditions across the seas! ;)

I also have learned about the tender mercies that occur on a daily basis, for our MMs and each of their missionaries. I know of the pain that a Momma experiences when her missionary is struggling and the extreme joy that comes when a missionary is successful and loving his or her mission! I have shared in the excitement surrounding the "homecoming" experience.... and oh my goodness I can hardly wait!!!!

As Sisters in Zion we DO all work together. We teach, we learn.... we glean from one another!  So as missionaries enter the MTC... we Mommas come here to the MMTC... the Missionary Momma Training Center!!! What we don't know...we research and discover together!

****THE GOSPEL IS TRUE****

Small Revelation

I have been struggling with something for 11 months now. I have been trying so hard to understand why this church that I belong to...this church that has taught me that families are forever, brings me The Family: A Proclamation to the World, , and encourages my family to have Family Home Evening each Monday... has me willingly deliver my child (because that's what he is!) to an MTC to be trained to teach the Gospel to people IN ANOTHER STATE.... and in some cases ANOTHER COUNTRY! With very little communication and NO physical contact!!!

I've gotta tell ya, it shook my testimony a bit, drove me to my knees to plead with my Heavenly Father for understanding! 11 months later, I was ready for the answer.  It came in a quiet moment on a Sunday morning. A quiet whisper, more of a feeling than words spoken to my mind....

"Even Heavenly Father had to withdraw from His son for a time so that He could bring salvation to the world"

Oh dear....how could I have been so selfish? He would never ask me to do something that he wouldn't do Himself.  My Heavenly Father... a perfect parent. He loves my son more perfectly than I am able! *SIGH*

I shared this little bit of personal revelation with my missionary last week...his response...

"It's not just what Jesus needed to do for us, but he also needed to grow himself. I have grown more personally than I can ever imagine to change someone else. I just do what The Lord tells me and let him change people and try my hardest to let him change me in the process."

WHO IS THAT KID???  It's happening already...my son is leading others to salvation, and my little boy --deep breath-- my little boy is growing up. Just like my Father in Heaven knew he would.

****THE GOSPEL IS TRUE****

~Heidi  =0)

What's in a Name?

"What's in a name? 
That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet."

It is true, that with or without a name badge, we are all missionaries.  We don't need that piece of plastic on our shirt to open our mouths and share.  As members of the Lord's church, we are commanded to warn our neighbor, and share the good news of the Gospel.  However, there is something quite special about being called and set apart as a full-time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  That particular name is special. 

When our missionaries put on their official missionary name badge, they literally take upon them the name of Jesus Christ.  They are His representative, all day, every day.  They go into the world to do what He would do if he were here.  They bring the World His truth.

Missionaries treasure their name badges, even long after they are released and take them off.  As missionary mommas, we love all the creative name badges photos.  Here is a collection for you to enjoy!

Wendy Minks

I Stand All Amazed

This past Sunday was an exciting day in primary sharing time. The Chorister was teaching the words to the 2nd verse of the hymn "I Stand All Amazed" to the children. When they got to the part about "His throne divine" one curious youngster raised his hand and asked "What does divine mean", the wise chorister explained that it means "of God, or like God"...they continued... then they got to the line "That he should extend his great love unto such as I" the chorister looked up to see this same eager child wildly waving his arm in the air again.  She called on him and he said "ummm, what is extend". Once again this dear chorister patiently explained... "Extend is like when someone falls into a river and someone *extends* (while thrusting her arm forward) a helping hand to that person.... the little boy said "Ooooooh, ok... I know some people that sometimes extend their middle finger and only their middle finger to other people" Let me tell ya...bless her heart, the chorister didn't miss a beat...she said "well, that sounds like a good discussion to have with your parents!" My Hubby (a primary teacher), on the other hand, said he had a really hard time not bursting out in laughter!!!

These kids just keep coming into the world stronger, braver, smarter and more valiant every day! The letters I get from my missionary and the snippets I have seen on the MM Group leave me in awe of these courageous young people! They have the light of Christ in their eyes! They serve willingly...and most days happily!

I stand all amazed at the rising generation! I am grateful for their strong testimonies and inquisitive minds. I stand all amazed that they go out into the world and spread the GOOD NEWS, the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

....and although there are many that may extend that darn finger....there are many who are able and ready to extend that helping hand.... they are called Missionaries!!!!

****THE GOSPEL IS TRUE****

~Heidi  =0)


I Stand All Amazed
~By Michael R Hicks

I'm Just a Missionary Mom

I'm just a missionary mom. I have a child out. What is she (he) doing today? Did you get enough to eat? Did you sleep well? Is your companion your best friend? Were you warm enough today? Do your feet ache after a rough day? These are my thoughts all day long, because I love you, because I worry, because I am a missionary mom.

Did you see my child today? Did she (he) knock on your door? Did you offer her something cool to drink? Or did you slam the door? Please don't be angry with my child. She (he) is just serving the Lord. Please don't cuss at my child, she (he) is there trying to help you get to God someday. I think of these things because I am a missionary mom. 

Did you know, that Monday is my day too? I sit and wait for your email! I want to hear, did you have any baptisms this week? Did you teach the Gospel? Did you feel the spirit today? Were your appointments successful? I wait breathless, because I am a missionary mom.

Were you able to get fed today? Did you laugh and take a deep breathe? Were you able just to see God's work all around you in each face, each cloud, and every child? I see art work that God has done with you, because I am a missionary mom.

Each letter I write, each package that I send to you, I wonder, did you like it? did that make you happy? Did it give you a little love from home? I do this for you because I am a missionary mom.

Each day I am on my knees asking God to protect you and your companion, and all the missionaries all around the world. I have other moms who are my friends, because they too are missionary moms. We pray for you, miss you, love you and think of you every day, because we are missionary moms.

I love you my child, because I am a Missionary Mom!

Anna Carbone

Oh, How We Need Each Other!

Our lovely Missionary Momma, Deena Gose, recently started an awesome thread over on the FaceBook group. In the interest of getting to know each other better, she asked us to share an odd fact or two about ourselves and where our missionary was serving and how long they have been out.  Thank you Deena for your curiosity!

The responses are simply wonderful!  This is an amazing group of women.  Thank you for taking a moment to share a little piece of yourself with the group.  When we know each other better, we can love each other better. What a beautiful blessing each of you are! We are a mighty force for good!

We are a vast group of women, almost 5,000 strong!  We have many differences.  We each have unique gifts that help us love and serve each other and our missionaries.  We discovered that in some cases we share the oddest things!    In the end, we share what is most important to us - our love for our missionaries.  We love them with all our hearts and express that love in so many varied and beautiful ways!

I made a few notes when I was reading through all 196 comments ... Yes, I read them all, most of them more than once.  I laughed and I cried.  I felt your spirits reaching out in love and friendship towards each other.

We have missionaries serving ALL over this world!  From every state in the US to Russia and tiny islands in the sea, some on the other side of the planet and others on the other side of the veil.  Our children are EVERYWHERE spreading the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!  He is real and He loves all His children!

These missionaries have been out anywhere from 7 1/2 hours to 23 months.  We have moms who are anxiously awaiting the BIG WHITE envelope, those that are wadding through all the paper work of Passports, Visa's, FBI Clearance that accompanies a foreign mission and those that are on the final countdown.  We have mommas praying over sick missionaries, and those that have come home early.  As a group we have sent out thousands of Elders and thousands of Sisters.  We are the mothers of a mighty army of God! 

We have single moms and married moms.  Professional mommas and moms who are professionals.  We have big city girls and small town girls dreaming of the big city.  We have vagabond moms who have lived all over, and those with deep, deep roots in one place. 

We have grammar freaks, and video game geeks.  Dancers (both belly and hula) and one who turns a cartwheel once every year.  Marathon runners and movie marathon watchers.  Our mommas are drag racers and snowmobile racers. 

I counted at least 3 of our mommas that are currently over 40 and PREGO!  Wow!  What awesome mothers they are!  There are plenty of "surprise" babies and there are never too many "miracle" babies.  We never tire of talking about our babies! 

We are readers, writers, artists, photographers, teachers, singers, dancers, runners, cancer survivors, comedians (I mean crossing guards), equestrians, returned missionaries, pioneer stock, converts and Catholic!  We are Missionary Mommas!

We love baking, fencing, gardening, Dr. Pepper, Coca Cola, celeb gossip magazines, World of Warcraft, books, movies, country music, sugar, chocolate, chocolat (no, not the same thing), our missionaries and EACH OTHER!

Some of us live in an empty nest and others with a house full of kids, some with more pets than people, and even some with competitive jump ropers.

We have experienced heartbreak and profound joy.  We have witnessed many miracles.

We are women of the highest worth.  One of us was even offered 6,000 camels for her hand in marriage!  Some of us met our husbands on blind dates, or even married the guy who sold us a car!

Our lives are so different, yet at the core, we are the same.  We are daughters of our Heavenly Father.  He loves us, and we love Him.  We are Missionary Mommas and oh, how we need each other!

 

Wendy Minks

 

$1

Last month Jill Prado came up with a brilliant idea! Here is her post...

Calling all Missionary Momma's,
I hope you see this post. I have an idea. As I was reading where each of you are from and where your missionaries are serving, I was amazed at the sisterhood we have and our power to do good. 

Here is my proposal:
There are over 2,000 of us. Lets all put in at least $1 a month into the general missionary fund. That is 2,000 a month and we certainly won't miss $1. If we do that consistently for one year that is $24,000 and we will help fund at least two full missions. If you can do more, that's up to you. But let's commit to do at least $1.00 every single month our son's are in the mission field. 
Who's in?

There are now over 4,600 Missionary Mommas! We can REALLY make a difference! So I'd like to echo Jill's question.... WHO'S IN???