Today I said goodbye to my son, Ammon Joseph, for two years.
Ammon has decided to be a missionary and he will be going far, far from home, to the southern tip of Chile! He has dedicated himself to teaching the native people there about our Savior, Jesus Christ. It is a land of volcanoes, earthquakes, penguins and icebergs. And thousands of islands. It rains much of the time. And its people need to know their Savior, too.
I will miss him so much, but I am very proud of him! He earned his money himself, and is doing what he believes in, to help and serve others. What more could a mother wish of her teenage son?
Leaving home is not easy, and dedicating himself to serving and teaching those he does not even know is very noble. I am pleased. But today my heart aches to say goodbye to the boy I love so much!
, as we let them go, but oh, the blessings! I too remember him as a little boy in the catalogs. I do wish our little boys didn't have to grow up so fast! Congratulations to you all!
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I'd sure love to hear your comment!
I worked for your company for a very short time (I think I only met you once) but I was very impressed with your Ammon. He (even as a younger kid) was such a hard worker and so focused. More importantly though, he was kind and non-judgmental. The people of Chile are lucky to have him.
My son is just coming home this week from Sacramento California. It's hard to believe he was gone for 2 years. It seems time is going so much faster now. I'm sure your son will have a wonderful mission and your family will be blessed too.
Diane,
You have "graduated" in one sense, with honors, I might add. To God be the glory of course, for your sons choice to serve Him with his life. However; because of your prayers and dependence on Christ in your parenting, you have the awesome privilege of having your son serve the Lord with his life. My mother has felt your ache as my brother is a missionary as well. Know that you are not alone, and I know you will continue to serve the Lord with gladness, as you always have. Thank you for being one so many look up to! I am one of those!
Joy Y.
Oops, I meant to say over a dozen Spanish-speaking countries, not two dozen.
I know exactly how you feel!! I have sent 3 away, and #4 and final, is leaving soon. There are mixed feelings, especially in the stomach
, as we let them go, but oh, the blessings! I too remember him as a little boy in the catalogs. I do wish our little boys didn't have to grow up so fast! Congratulations to you all!
When I read your post today tears began swell. All parents that go through that experience feel great joy in knowing what he is doing and what he has chosen to do for the next two years but on the other hand there is such sadness watching them go. It really does hurt to even think about it. My son's have gone and come back and I still get emotional reading about your Ammon. What a great time for him and your family. One of my son's went to Chile and he loved every minute and had a deep love and respect for the Chilean people.
If Ammon already knows some Spanish, Castilian shouldn't be too difficult.
I served in an area with people from two-dozen Spanish-speaking countries. Many of the people spoke Spanish with Indian words woven in. My companions and I were gratefully able to understand the different varieties of Spanish and the Indian vocabulary with the help of the Lord.
He'll be learning Castilian, a dialect of Spanish which they speak down there. I wonder if the native Indians there speak another language and if he'll have to learn it. Guess we'll see! Thanks for your kind words!
Ha! Thanks for the laugh! ; 0 )
We're saying goodbye to the boy and we'll be welcoming home the man.
Many blessings, Ammon.
Diane,
I have read some of your writings to other homeschoolers going on 9 years or so. I have appreciated much of the input as I endeavor to be the mother I'm called to be. This is another reminder of our purpose to nurture, teach, led of His Spirit and then to release. Oh the investment of heart, and subsequent joy and pain. Thank you for sharing your journey. Personally, I am being challenged to do 'school', actually 'mother', with more of His love, and to let Him own even my right to the tone of my voice, day to day. O the surrender is painful. I am reminded daily, we have them only a season, oh so short, not to waste a moment of the loving nurture I am called to give.
Shanna
From one mama heart to another–hugs. As a mother of young ones, I sometimes wonder how the older mamas do it–letting go…."By prayer and supplication with THANKSGIVING" i am sure has a lot to do with it. I am Thanking and Praising God for directing your son into the ministry–it is the most urgent work these days. THIS is what homeschooling is all about
You'll like this, my oldest, a 6 year old, just told me when I told her of your Ammon going to Chile as a missionary " I hope he remembers to preach to the penguins" (thoughtful pause) "Cuz they hit each other"
Wait, it feels like Ammon was nine just a couple of years ago! He grew up fast!
Congratulations to your family and Ammon ! I feel happy for you, but I also feel pangs of sadness for the separation you are feeling. I hope it eases quickly.
Will Ammon teach in Spanish or in another language?
CONGRATULATIONS! So hard to say good-bye but he will proudly wear the badge of our Savior on his lapel for 2 years and what an accomplishment as a Mom to have helped get him on the right road. We will pray for you and your missionary and know there is no other better place he could be or anything better he could be doing!
How wonderful, yet bittersweet! God bless you, Ammon, and God bless the family who raised you to serve the Lord!
On this day that you have said goodbye to your boy, you can find peace in his being strong enough to fly on his own. In two years he will come back a man…the man you and the Lord have both wanted him to be.
He was but a wee boy when I first started buying from your company. My how time flies!
Enjoy the journey and keep a great record of all his e-mails home.
Congratulation to you – you and your hubby have raised a very fine young man. Thank you for sharing your story. May God bless your family and especially Ammon richly. I pray that God will allow him to witness many lives be changed through the sharing of his faith. My oldest son (14) has similar dreams – any chance Ammon will be willing to share his experiences via a blog? We would love to be able to keep up with his work.
Oh….my heart goes out to you today. With tears on my cheeks I am remembering pictures of Ammon from your wonderful catalogs. Wasn't it him on the zip line? My son is only 8 and I keep trying to tell my much older children to enjoy him now as the time slips by so fast. Will your son have computer access? I am amazed at how "Skype" works – perhaps you can "love" him through technology!? I will pray for you both today.
Best of luck to Ammon. I have followed your newsletter from way back when you started and called first mothers to come home, then fathers. I feel like I know your family. Prayers and hugs that you'll find comfort in know he's doing what he's meant to do and the loneliness won't be so bad.