Missionary Breakfast

The Big Guy Lowe and I were both blessed to serve full-time missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly referred to as Mormons).  I served in the Ohio Cleveland Mission and The Big Guy Lowe served in the Netherlands Amsterdam Mission.  We both have a great love for sharing our testimonies of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and his restored gospel; we also have great respect for those that are willing to do the same.  In fact, on the list of things required for marriage, both The Big Guy Lowe and I included that our "future spouse would want to serve more full-time missions for the Lord".  Pretty Awesome, eh?  I know, he's amazing and I get to be married to him forever!!  (Love you babe)

Throughout our married life, different callings continue to prepare us for the time in our lives when we will be able to be full-time missionaries.  Now is no different.  With The Big Guy Lowe's current calling he has opportunity to work with the missionaries on a very regular basis.  Our family is greatly blessed because of this.

This past Saturday we had a breakfast and short meeting for all the missionaries in our Stake (Stake is a term describing a group of multiple congregations or wards).  I believe we had 18 missionaries over!  It was wonderful!!

We made German Pancakes, bacon, sausage and Brother Freeman brought over his wife's delicious fruit salad.  No one went away hungry!!

After eating, The Big Guy Lowe shared a Christmas childhood experience.  One particular Christmas he wanted a specific GI Joe helecopter.  (He still remembered the details about it, but I don't! lol!)  Christmas morning he opened a gift that wasn't the helicopter.  His youthful disappointment and lack of gratitude was openly shared.  His parents had given him a very nice gift, but he didn't recognize that  because his own desires got in the way.  He then shared how his actions that Chrismas make him feel bad to this day, but continue to teach him the importance of gratitude.  He then likened his childhood experience to the greatest gift we have been given in the life, teachings, death and resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  A challenge was extended for each of us to evaluate our personal appreciation of the gift of our Savior--as our Heavenly Father intended.

It was so nice having all the missionaries in our home.  There was a wonderful feeling that stayed with us long after they left--we all felt it.  I love that our boys get to be around missionaries and see their example of serving the Lord. 

Today, I am grateful for missionaries.