This entry is retrospective, covering from about Aug. 2006 to Aug. 2007
● Until my 23rd birthday in late summer of 2006, I lived on the eastern side of the Rocky Mountains, where the grasslands of the plains meet the foothills of Northern Colorado. While I lived nearly my whole life there and still claim Fort Collins as my hometown, I had spent the two previous years a little further east of the mountains, serving the Lord and the people of the Mississippi Jackson Mission as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Photo: Doin' my best "James Dean-styled Mormon Missionary" in El Dorado, AR) Upon my return home that summer, I left home after a two week lay-over and headed further west to Utah.
● Since this is a simple summation, I won't delve into too many of the specifics from my first year. But I worked during that time as a full-time driver delivering construction materials all over Utah, went to school part-time at BYU, and endeavored to re-establish a dating and social life. It was good to live closer to my sisters and other family and friends here in Utah and I genuinely enjoyed that time in my life. For many return missionaries, the transition can be a difficult one. While mine wasn't perfect, it was fairly easy.
● I must admit, however, that I really did miss my family and old friends back in Colorado. Whenever I would visit Fort Collins, a tinge of nostalgia would draw my attention back to my roots and I longed to be there. To give you a little understanding, I hadn't even seen my family for more than a few days over a three-year period - and I missed them! In a further retrospective admission, what I really may have missed were the memories, comforts, and social life of what was once my home - since I was then living paycheck to paycheck, school was much more difficult than I anticipated and despite my efforts in dating and making friends, I really felt alone and overwhelmed! In short, I was ready to say goodbye to Utah.
● Just before my 24th birthday, I had convinced myself that school and life in Colorado was
what I needed, so I began making preparations to return. Many of my friends and family were surprised by this decision and wanted me to stay, but one casual conversation on this subject remains fixed in my mind. During church several weeks before I planned on leaving, Bishop Walker (of the University 19th Singles' Ward) asked, "What can we do to get you to stay?" I replied that all he'd need to do is find me a wife (an irony because if I got married I would no longer be in that ward anyway). He laughed in only the way a caring grandfatherly-type can and said something to the effect of, "Faith and prayer can do some amazing things..." I gave little thought to that exchange, but it does provide this narrative with a little foreshadowing - after all, this is the story of finding and marrying my wife! (Coincidentally, the photo is from the Utah reception for my sister, Elissa. And yes, I am making some "Mormon moonshine" or raspberry lemonade as some like to call it.)
● Since this is a simple summation, I won't delve into too many of the specifics from my first year. But I worked during that time as a full-time driver delivering construction materials all over Utah, went to school part-time at BYU, and endeavored to re-establish a dating and social life. It was good to live closer to my sisters and other family and friends here in Utah and I genuinely enjoyed that time in my life. For many return missionaries, the transition can be a difficult one. While mine wasn't perfect, it was fairly easy.
● I must admit, however, that I really did miss my family and old friends back in Colorado. Whenever I would visit Fort Collins, a tinge of nostalgia would draw my attention back to my roots and I longed to be there. To give you a little understanding, I hadn't even seen my family for more than a few days over a three-year period - and I missed them! In a further retrospective admission, what I really may have missed were the memories, comforts, and social life of what was once my home - since I was then living paycheck to paycheck, school was much more difficult than I anticipated and despite my efforts in dating and making friends, I really felt alone and overwhelmed! In short, I was ready to say goodbye to Utah.
● Just before my 24th birthday, I had convinced myself that school and life in Colorado was
what I needed, so I began making preparations to return. Many of my friends and family were surprised by this decision and wanted me to stay, but one casual conversation on this subject remains fixed in my mind. During church several weeks before I planned on leaving, Bishop Walker (of the University 19th Singles' Ward) asked, "What can we do to get you to stay?" I replied that all he'd need to do is find me a wife (an irony because if I got married I would no longer be in that ward anyway). He laughed in only the way a caring grandfatherly-type can and said something to the effect of, "Faith and prayer can do some amazing things..." I gave little thought to that exchange, but it does provide this narrative with a little foreshadowing - after all, this is the story of finding and marrying my wife! (Coincidentally, the photo is from the Utah reception for my sister, Elissa. And yes, I am making some "Mormon moonshine" or raspberry lemonade as some like to call it.)
2 comments:
Fantastic writing Mark! As I was reading your introspective entry it occurred to myself just how similar my situation 'is' to your 'was.' I look forward to learning the rest of the story!
You can't just leave us hanging like this!
Post a Comment