President Bateman and What Do You Say?

Friday is my day to serve in the Provo Temple.  It was the Open House for President Bateman and his wife as they finish their service and President Daines takes over.   During my lunch break, I waited in line to shake their hands and thank the out going Presidency.  I have had some special experiences with the Batemans.  President Bateman was in the temple this past Jan. 7th when we went to do sealings.  He wondered what we were doing at that early hour on a Thursday morning so we told him it was the anniversary of Bryce's death.  After the session, I wrote him a letter to tell him how it went and he has shared our experience of sealing parents to sons from South Africa at many Stake Conferences throughout Utah Valley.  How do I know? I have had people tell me when they hear President Bateman speak.  This past week, Kim had someone at work tell him that President Bateman was at their Stake Conference the past weekend and spoke about a returned missionary from South Africa that was killed in a car accident.   So I told President Bateman about that and his wife asked me if it was alright to continue to tell the story.  I assured her that anything that was about Bryce always made me happy and I loved to know he was telling our story.
That night, McKay had lots of friends over to celebrate his 29th birthday.  We have all the missionary plaques up on our kitchen wall of our children and I look at them often.  Several times his friends would ask about our children and I would tell where they were, who was married, etc.  They would see Bryce's picture and I would talk about his mission, etc.  It was clear to me that none of them knew that Bryce was gone.  It made me reflect on the people that are usually in our home and know our history and we talk about Bryce as much as we do about our other children.  It makes me really happy when there is someone that asks about him or wants to know more.  It makes him real.  It was hard for me to not say anything about the accident and to just pass over where Bryce is or what he is doing.   I am learning though that it is okay and those that need to know will ask.
I am grateful for those that let me talk all I want about him.  They are very patient and kind.  I had no idea that healing would continue to be a part of my life almost two years later and I am grateful for all the mothers that understand and keep pulling me along with them.  I am grateful for my children letting me talk about Bryce and not saying...move on Mom.  I am grateful that Kim listens and understands and feels just like me.  I am grateful for those experiences that come at unexpected times that lets me know God isn't tired of listening to me either.
One last note.   Bryce trained an Elder from Madagascar.  His name was Nambinina RANDRINIRINANIARIVO  .   I still can't say his last name.  He started writing to me every Monday --the same time as I would always get an email from Bryce when he was in South Africa.   He has continued to write now that he is home.   That is pretty tender. 

Two Years From Today

Thinking of you today Bryce.  Hope there is lots of snow where you are! 
Don't forget to write in your journal...I will want to hear all about your adventures when I see you again!

Read Last...end of Bryce's letter to President Probst

• I have learned how to manage time and money and how to be self-reliant.
• I have learned how to cook some crazy things. 
• I have gained a love for many different cultures and a love for the country of South Africa and the Saints in this great country
• I have learned of the importance of team work and unity
• The list could go on and on, but I truly have gained so much from my experiences serving here in SACTM.  I know that the true Church of Jesus Christ has been restored today by the Prophet Joseph Smith, that the Book of Mormon is the word of God.  I know that we are being led by a prophet of God today, President Monson.  I know that I have a Heavenly Father who loves me and sent His son, Jesus Christ to pay the price for us to return to live with Him again.  I know that the Savior lives and suffered and bled for me that I might live again.  I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.  --Oct. 2008 SACTM

Letter to President Probst continued

• I have learned how important it is to develop good habits as soon as possible. 
• I have gained the ability to recognize quicker the temptations and traps that Satan leaves for us, and how to best avoid them. I also have come to see how Satan can destroy the greatest by small means.
• I have experienced the most difficult days and weeks of my life while serving a mission.  I have also never felt the Spirit in more abundance and have never been more aware of what Heavenly Father wants for me. 
• I have learned the importance of a good first impression, and how important quiet dignity is, where ever we are, whatever we are doing, we are always being watched. 
• I more fully have come to know that God is there and He answers prayers and I have more fully come to the knowledge of how He does it. 
• I have experienced the sorrow that comes from people I love choosing not to act upon that which they know is true.  I have also experienced the joy that comes from seeing people's lives changed as they embrace the gospel.

Letter to President Probst continued

I really have come to love my family and have gained an understanding about why families are so important.  My mom has a little wall section at home with pictures of the missionaries from our family and above the pics, the scripture 3 John 1:4 "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth."  As I have been able to see the effect of what the gospel and truth and light does for a family, some of my most favorite experiences have been communicating with my family each week and knowing that every single one of them walk in truth, with my little brother leaving for Japan to serve a mission just weeks after I get home.  It just is a great feeling. 

Two Years Ago

Bryce wrote a final letter to President Probst before returning home.  It reflected much thought and maturity and I would like to post a section of it every few days.  It is probably the most precious letter I have and I am so grateful that President Probst thought to send it to us. 
What have I gained, learned and experienced in the South Africa Cape Town Mission that has blessed my life?
Well of course there are too many things that I gained, learned and experienced while serving a mission to even write down a fraction of those things so I will attempt to highlight some of the more important things, in no particular order: 
The First Presidency message on page V states:  More happiness awaits you than you have ever experienced as you labor among it's children. 
  I feel that my view of what happiness actually is, has become much clearer...those things we do in our life that make a lasting impact and cause others and ourselves to change for the better, bringing peace into our lives and lasting satisfaction--a clear view of what is important.
These things bring lasting happiness into our lives, and I know that it is possible because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.