Elder Casper (last one i promise...until he returns anyway)

I realize all of my posts have been on Tanner but here is the last one for awhile.  This morning around 5:00 am Tanner left to Utah to spend  one last day with family until he leaves for the Mission Training Center in Provo, Utah. He will spend 10 days in the MTC then leave to Tulsa, Oklahoma. Sending him off has been so hard for me....maybe it is because he is my baby brother. I never thought I would miss him so much, especially after being held hostage so many times and yelling "DAAAAAADDDDD" so he would come save me from tanners tight grip, or being hugged so tight your back pops in places you never thought were possible. The point is I love and miss him very much.

I have done a lot of thinking with fathers day just occurring, and Tanner leaving on his mission. I kept thinking about Missionaries having to sacrifice 2 years of their life. They give up all of the worldly things that some of us cant even think of living without. They give up friendships, maybe a girlfriend/boyfriend, family, cell phone, regular clothes, school, first name; this is just a tiny list of some of the things they no longer have once they enter the MTC. Some people only think that the missionaries that serve are the only ones that sacrifice but what about their families? I think about my Dad and Mom, its their baby boy, and they are trusting that the Lord will return him home alive in 2 years. They only get to talk to him 4 times throughout the mission. My parents have the faith to send their youngest son, they know the importance of him going to tornado alley, to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. I compare this to the Lord. He sent his only Begotten Son to earth knowing his fate. The savior as well knew what the outcome would be, however, he loves each of us so much, and knew the only way for us to return to God was if we were perfect...which none of us are...we needed him to perform the atonement . We needed him to suffer all of the pains, sadness, disappointments, griefs, and every miserable thing we have ever felt, so we could find that happiness. Like the savior, Tanner is sacrificing so much, so others can find the light of Christ and find joy. A mission is the most unselfish and Christ-like thing you could do.

I love you Elder Casper see you in 2 years.

Shout out to Brad Casper! Happy late Fathers Day. LOVE YOU!