Wouldn't pass up the chance...

I was asked to write up a little something about Elder Call and what our experience has been having a missionary. What missionary mom would pass up a chance like that!!? Not me! Although I could have written a novel, I was limited to a page or less. Guess who took up the entire page? {and even made the margins bigger so it would all fit??!}

Our son, Spencer Matthew Call, was called to serve in the Canada Calgary Mission, speaking English. He reported to the MTC on his graduation day from Snow Canyon High School (his choice!), May 22^nd, 2013.  We always knew he would serve a full time mission. How blessed we are as a family to hear from him as he grows spiritually, emotionally, and physically (he’s gained 10 lbs!!) J

Although he has only been serving for 4 months, we have reaped many blessings. We love hearing from him every week. He has always has spiritual insights, lessons learned, and his testimony to share. The people of Calgary have been oh so kind to him! The members feed him almost every night (hence, the 10 lbs) and take good care of the missionaries.

One of the sweetest blessings is having heard from several Canadian sisters reporting that they have had the opportunity to see him in action as a missionary. One sister/mom wrote to me saying, “Your son has been serving in my ward since his arrival into Canada and I asked him if it would be okay for me to email you to let you know that he is one of my favorites!  The spirit that he carries with him is stronger than most and he has a gentleness about him that is endearing.  I have rarely met his equal as a missionary.” What a blessing as a mother to hear such kind words about her son and to know that this sister truly does know Elder Call, for she described him as I would. He has such a tender heart, always has a smile on his face, and has such a strong spirit.

When he first arrived in Calgary there was an extreme amount of flooding due to heavy rains and overflowing rivers. Many (500) homes were flooded. The missionaries had the opportunity to put on their yellow Mormon Helping Hands shirts and help others clean out their homes, basements, and belongings. For almost 3 weeks we didn’t hear from him. This is because the library was also flooded, hence closed. This is where the missionaries email from. A tender mercy arrived in my email after 2 ½ weeks of not hearing from him. A sweet Canadian sister / Bishops wife emailed the following: ” I had the wonderful and humbling experience of working with your sons and daughters last week doing flood clean up in High River. We went out as a group with Mormon Helping Hands. They brought in the missionaries from all over Calgary and Airdrie to help the other volunteers that have been going out to clean up. This is the Zone from the North Stake in Calgary.  After one particular experience that we had about a simple prayer (none of the missionaries had brought a lunch, so after nearly working all day long without food, they prayed and shortly thereafter a Canadian family arrived bringing food to the flood workers), I told them that they needed to make sure and write home about it. They told me that they had not been able to email home for 2 1/2 weeks. I have a son out on a mission and if I had to wait 2 1/2 weeks to hear from him that would be no fun at all. So I gathered all of your email addresses from them so that I could send these pictures to you.”

We have witnessed our Heavenly Fathers hand in our lives and in the life of our son serving. We have received so many tender mercies and would not want him anywhere else. Although we miss him dearly, he is truly right where he should be at this time in his life – Serving the Lord with all of his might, mind, and strength. The missionaries taught me (Amy Call) years ago and because of that, missionaries have a very dear spot in our hearts! We are so thankful that Elder Call can leave our family for two years, to help other families be with theirs forever! We love you Elder Call and missionaries everywhere!

WE LOVE YOU ELDER SPENCER MATTHEW CALL!!