Summer of the Swans: Part Three

In June, I wrote about my daughter Hannah's return from her mission; in July I wrote about Danny's return. Today I am closing the Summer of the Swans trilogy by sharing the story of Ben's departure.



Ben was a delightful baby, calm and content. His red hair and happy dimples have brought him smiles and attention since the day he was born.

The adorable, cheerful infant quickly became an adorable, smart, curious child.

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 Then he was our multi-talented teenager.

Ben's kindness, generosity, sense of humor, and charm have earned him many loyal friends.

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It has been a pleasure to be Ben's mother – with one occasional exception: when he learned how to walk, his confidence and curiosity sometimes led him to wander away and go exploring. His inclination to disappear caused us much worry and anxiety. He was sometimes found and brought home by kind neighbors, or strangers, or police officers. I was always terrified when he was gone, and always joyfully relieved when he was found happy and safe – and, I hoped,  a little wiser for the experience.

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In May 2015, Ben graduated from Mountain Crest High School.

  On June 10, he opened his mission call.

Ben was called to serve as a full-time missionary for he Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
in the Ecuador Guayaquil North Mission.

      (It's right there . . . well, sort of.)


We learned that Ben would be entering the Missionary Training Center in Mexico City.

(It's down there. See it?)

                                   

On Wednesday morning, August 26th, we drove Ben to the Salt Lake City airport, and said our goodbyes.

Ben is still curious, confident, and smart. And while those traits have sometimes led him to wander away and go exploring. bringing me great anxiety, this time I know he has a better motivation than curiosity. This time, Ben is wandering away from me because he wants to serve the God who has blessed him with those qualities – and so much more. He is leaving because he has been blessed with a knowledge of the truth, and he wants to share that truth with others.

"I love it! The simple joy of being immersed in the Lord's work, the constant companionship of the Spirit, everything else."
(From Elder Ben Spencer's first e-mail home)

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I'm not as worried about Ben, as he heads out for this new adventure, as I was when he was a vagabond toddler. But I expect to feel that same joy when he returns – and maybe we will both be a little wiser for the experience.