Blessing Upon Arrival

By: Leslie Smith

I wrote this as an email to our missionary mom group already so some of you may have read this already, but I added a few more details and wanted to share it with all our family and friends.

Many of you know that my mom was born and raised in Guatemala City even though she has lived in the U.S. since age 13. She still has an aunt that lives there whom she is very close to and 3 cousins and their families. They are not members of the church, but love and support us and the missionary program. They were SO KIND to go out of their way to gather together (even though only one of them has a car) and travel to the airport to catch a glimpse of Jordan whom they don't personally know, except for my mom’s aunt Carmen. They called us at 7:45 pm to let us know that they were there and could see a large group of young men in suits inside the airport waiting for their luggage.

A few minutes later we got another phone call from my mom’s cousin saying, They’re here!! They are all out and seem to be waiting for a bus or something. They counted 24 elders and 6 sisters!

Then about 10 minutes later we got another phone call….this one from Jordan! We talked for only about 1 minute because he said that he might get in trouble but that he was there and that he was standing in front of his “family.” He was able to take some photos with them and gave them a high five when they handed him a paper with their names, addresses, and phone numbers in case he ever needs anything. He said that was easier for him than trying to figure out how to express his gratitude to them in Spanish. Don’t we all know how to say, “Gracias?” LOL. I think they got the message.

That was seriously the highlight of our night. What a great surprise to get those precious phone calls and to hear his voice sounding so excited and happy to finally be in Guatemala!!!

Then our last phone call of the night came from Isabel, another cousin, who called saying, “I am calling you as a mother because I know what it means to have your child far from home and how much it means to know every detail possible. We were so impressed with the light and happiness that was visible from this amazing group of young men and women. They all looked so happy and all were smiling so big! They waited for a while together outside the airport until a huge bus came to pick them up. They were asked to form a line and load their luggage. We yelled to Jordan and he turned around, dropped his suitcases and ran to give us a hug! We started to talk to him in slow easy spanish, but he just nodded his head. So then we tried to speak english the best we could. Another elder from his group who spoke good spanish came up to us and said, "Que Dios los bendiga. Los quiero mucho" (May God bless you. We love you). Then they formed another line to wait to load the bus together. Jordan set down his backpack, got out of line and came back to us and gave my husband a big hug and said, "Mi Mejor Amigo! Muchas Gracias! (My Good friend! Thank you so much!) We stayed at the airport until the bus pulled away and all of them waved and yelled Adios to us.”

I was left with such joy and love and peace. To see the Lord's hand yet again in this marvelous and miraculous missionary journey is overwhelming. Jordan's call to serve the people of Guatemala began much longer than 4 months ago when he opened up a letter signed by our prophet. He has been prepared for this his whole life. I am so thankful that my wonderful extended family took time from their busy, hard lives to welcome my son. My son who left the U.S. for the first time in his life just a few hours before. My son who was nervous and anxious for what was ahead. My son who was given the blessing to feel love and support the minute he stepped off the plane.

It's hard to comprehend that he is not in Provo anymore. But I know that he is safe and in the Lord’s hands and probably in class at the CCM right now. His journey (and ours) has begun in a new land and I am so thankful for his example, his courage, his testimony, and his faith. I am even more thankful for the peace that our Heavenly Father has blessed me with and for His gospel which blesses our lives every single day.