Dear Bro Jo . . . : Follow-up: A Sister Missionary Comes Home

Things to know

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Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Follow-up: A Sister Missionary Comes Home

[Dear Readers,

Nearly three years ago I got a letter from a sister who asked about "How to Have a Great Mission". (You can read the original post HERE.) She had two concerns. One was how to make sure she got the most out of her mission; two was what to do about a young man she had fallen in love with.

Below is the follow-up to her story.

- Bro Jo]

Dear Bro Jo,

I returned from my mission last night - it was the best experience of my life. Thank you so much, for the wonderful advice.

Hermana

Dear Hermana,

Welcome home!

Sister Jo and I are both proud of you, and are thankful for your willingness to serve.

Where did you go? What made your experience so wonderful?

And whatever happened with "that guy"?

When you get the chance, we'd love to hear more.

For now, welcome home!

- Bro Jo

* * * 11 Months Later * * *

Dear Bro Jo,

I went to San Jose, California (Spanish-speaking!). You were right, I'm not sure if you remember, but you had mentioned to me that a mission is not all dancing flowers and singing trees.

What made it wonderful was putting my heart into it, and the people I met and loved. What made it wonderful was never wanting to leave, then coming home and seeing my family again, and beginning to realize the millionth part of how worth it it was.

I wish I could say I made my mission wonderful, but the wonderful part wasn't me. It's like Ammon said, "Blessed be the name of our God; let us sing to his praise, yea, let us give thanks to his holy name, for he doth work righteousness forever."

Believe it or not, that same guy was still here when I came home. We're deeply in love, and we'll be married in the Cardston, Alberta temple in August.

Thanks again!

- Hermana Getting Married

Dear Hermana,

Congratulations!

We wish you an eternity of happiness,

- Bro Jo and Sister Jo

[Readers,

Life doesn't always work out exactly this way; but the Lord always blesses us for our sacrifice and service.

I suspect there's much to be learned from the stuff Hermana doesn't write, the stuff that happens during the 11 months between emails. It reminds me that things are on the Lord's time table, not ours.

Hope you enjoyed the follow-up!

Cheers,

- Bro Jo

1 comment:

bananasplit said...: I loved the follow-up! Thanks for posting it. It was a much-needed reminder for me today that 11 months is not an eternity and neither is the time well worth spent serving a mission. The Lord's timetable is always the best. :); August 22, 2012 at 10:27 AM

Bro Jo's "Dating Rules for Teens"

General
- Date in groups of 2 or more couples minimum, 3 or more couples is recommended
- Pick Up boys first, then girls; drop off girls first, then boys
- Be clean - literally and spiritually
- Plan must be pre-approved by the Parental Committee
- Borrow a Cell Phone from Parental Committee - for emergency use only
- Only date people your Parents have met (a pre-date meeting may be needed - a movie party at your house is a great way to have Mom and Dad meet all of this year's potential dates!)
- Don't flirt with another person's date - you can go out with them next time - focus on the person you're with
- Remember why you're dating: to get to know someone better, to discover what type of person you like to spend time with, and to practice this important social skill
- First Date is with Opposite Sex parent - prove that you're ready
- Keep the conversation going - spend more time asking questions than talking about yourself
- Focus on your companion - DO NOT TEXT YOUR FRIENDS WHILE OUT WITH SOMEONE ELSE - it's rude and, well . . . lame
- No dating the same person twice in a row

Boys
- Home by 11:30pm
- Plan / Pick up / Pay
- Plan communicated to date - no surprises!
- Sisters deserve to go out with decent guys regularly, be one of those guys
- Chivalry isn't dead - show respect by opening doors
- It's scary to call, get over it (practice), it's your job to phone
- Be prepared Boy Scout: make sure the car is clean and has gas, be familiar with where you're going, have enough dough
- Keep dates simple and not too long
- No gifts (keep it casual)
- Meet the parents
- Minimum of one date per month

Girls
- Home by 11pm
- Know what's planned - and pre-communicate that plan to your parents
- Dress Modestly
- Teach your date that you deserve to be respected (make him open doors and insist that he use proper language)
- Don't call boys - make them call you (this is a respect tool)

Exceptions
- Formal Dates (like Prom or a Wedding) can extend the curfew 30 minutes
- Flowers may be an appropriate "gift" for formal occassions

Rules for Parents
- Set the Example (married parents should be dating weekly - if you can, occassionally make that a "Date to the Temple" - if you want your kids to go, they need to see you going - great for married-people dates - Bad Idea for first dates)
- Know your kids' friends, their dates and potential dates
- Communicate Expectations
- Help to Plan Ahead - especially in the beginning
- Discuss the Plan - offer council when asked, but don't take control
- Review the Rules
- Pray
- Don't Spy (if it's your date night too, go somewhere else - and get home before your teen)
- Wait Up - near the door, not in your bedroom
- Debrief - Discuss the date with your teen when they come home, before everyone goes to bed
- Be positive and encouraging
- Don't "arrange" dates for your kids with other parents - if the kids find out it'll be bad

REMEMBER PARENTS - You Water What You Want to Grow! (But too much water and the plant will drown.)

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Disclaimer

*This website is not affiliated with the Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-Day Saints, nor does it's author claim to write on behalf of the LDS Church.

for more information on The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-Day Saints go to: http://www.mormon.org/

"Dear Bro Jo" is an entertainment column, and should not been used as a substitute for Professional Counseling, nor is it intended to replace conversations with one's Bishop or other Priesthood Authority.

All posts and content are the property of Dave Johnston (c) 2009-2013.

Dear Bro Jo . . .

Things to know

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Follow-up: A Sister Missionary Comes Home

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