Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Jackpot! Four letters from Hank today!

We got four letters from Hank today, each addressed to someone.  Jonna got a letter, "The Family", Jeri, Addie & Carla got a letter, and then one to me. I can't tell you how happy I was to get them.  I would transcribe them on here...but there are so many of them, and they were sweet and personal.  He sounds great.  He is still very homesick, but talks about working through it.  I think just talking about it, and admitting that he's having a hard time with it, is huge for Hank.  He is usually so private about stuff like that, but mentioned it not only in the letter to me, but to his sisters, and in his email last week.  He also spoke of another new missionary who has a case of homesickness worse than Hank, and who cries not only at night, but in the middle of the day sometimes.  Hank feels bad for this young man, but feels that it will get better for him.  This is something about Hank that most people don't know about him...he has a lot of compassion towards others who have it worse than he does.  Hank said "I was feeling bad about myself, about my homesickness...until I met this Elder.  I feel so bad for him."  Hank is such a great young man.  The one thing he mentions many times, is that he wants letters.  I LOVE it!  Talk about going through withdrawals...texting, facebook, email, cell phone....SO much communication!  And he's cut off from all of it now, and is relying on letters from home more than he's ever relied on them.  I now see the miracle of the written word to missionaries.  It is truly their lifeline.

1 comment:

  1. Wow! He is just so grown up. He will be an awesome missionary. Hank and your family will be blessed while he is serving. Lisa - what a great idea to do a blog while he is gone! WHat a great tribute to him while he serves his mission. I am glad he is doing better.

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