Jacob's Call to Serve

Jacob put in his mission papers about a month ago. Most missionaries get their calls in the mail within 2 to 3 weeks.  In fact, I was worried that it would come while we were out of town and he would open it without us.  While we were out of town the Bishop called with some questions about Jacob and his autism.  Salt Lake had contacted him and asked him to talk to us. Richard happily answered these questions and we felt happy that they cared enough to find out more about Jacob. 

I never expected Jacob to serve a mission.  We never pushed him or pressured him about it. I know that every young man has been asked to serve the Lord, but I did not know if Jacob would be able to go out for two years on a mission.  I was okay with that.  But I have learned to never underestimate Jacob. He is an amazingly strong willed young man.  He can and will do everything he wants to, because that is part of who he is.  

We have had the missionaries over for dinner at lot over the years.  Every time the sheet went around at church, we'd sign up for a night or two.  We love getting to know the missionaries in our areas and have kept contact with many of them.  As Jacob got older he started getting invited to go out with them.  He was always excited to go out with the missionaries and they took such good care of him.  He told us he wanted to serve a mission.  This thought scared me as a mother.  How would he handle rejection or people being rude to him while he was out trying to preach the gospel?  We talked about that and Richard advised him to bring that up with the Elders the next time they went out.  They talked to him about it, took him tracting and it was no longer an issue.  In the Quatama Ward we had many sets of excellent Elders who came to get Jacob often. I know that is what got Jacob so excited about missionary work. When we moved to Idaho, Jacob stayed behind for a few extra weeks so he could go to Scout Camp one final time.  He was helping to teach a young man about the gospel and this young man asked Jacob to baptize him.  It delayed him coming to live with us by a couple weeks, but it all worked out and I know it was such a blessing for him to experience.  I know there is nothing Jacob will face on his mission that the Lord will not help him overcome.  He can and will do anything the Lord needs of him, because he has such great faith and that is just who he is.

Now that brings us to his mission call.  When Jacob heard the announcement about the new age for missionaries, he was ready to get out there and serve.  Fortunately, we have an amazing Bishop who has been working on helping Jacob prepare.  He meets with him every week and Jacob feels confident and ready now.  Yes, it has been a lengthy process, but it has been just what Jacob needs and for that I am grateful for a Bishop who cared enough to get to know Jacob and work with him so faithfully.

I have gotten a lot of questions from people who ask, when is he going, when is he going?  My response has always been, when he is ready.  There is no rush. I would much rather have him fully prepared and serve successfully than to have him get out there fast and come home early because he was not prepared.  

The Stake President called and told Jacob that Salt Lake wanted him to do an evaluation due to the autism.  He goes in to LDS family services tomorrow for that.  Originally the date was next week and it was in Idaho Falls. I was feeling a little impatient that they were making him wait two extra weeks just to get in for the evaluation.  I thought about calling and asking them to please, please, please move it up or put him down for any cancellations that might come up.  Then I realized it was not my place and that I need to trust in the Lord and his timing.  The next day they called to tell him there was an opening here in Rexburg a week sooner!  Yay! I think this evaluation is not so much about whether Jacob can go on a mission or not, but more so they know what kind of situation he would do best in. It really is all about Jacob and what is best for him!

I have been asked a couple times if I am angry that his call is taking so long.  His paternal grandfather was very indignant that they would want to do an evaluation on him, as if this should be offensive to Jacob.  All I feel is extreme gratitude that with thousands of missionaries going out, they are taking the time to find out all they can about my sweet son so that he goes to serve in a place where he can be most successful!  What a wonderful blessing!  They will learn that Jacob is a hard working young man. That he loves the Lord and has an amazing testimony for one so young and is willing to serve in whatever capacity he can. They will see that he never uses autism as an excuse for anything.  In fact, the opposite is true.  If he feels held back by his autism in any way, he just pushes himself harder to overcome those issues.  So, Jacob will get his call and Jacob will go and serve the people of whatever area he is called to.  Although it may be hard waiting for that missionary calling to come in the mail, I know it will be well worth the wait to know that Jacob is prepared and will be serving right where he needs to be.