jack turns 22... wow

This past Saturday 

March 16

My Jack turned 22.

wow 

It's been almost a year now since Jack got home from his mission in Brazil.

So happy- so happy to say he is home.

Well- he is in the state & living in Provo, Utah where he attends Brigham Young University- which was his childhood dream. He is feeling good- mostly good. He came home pretty sick with malaria (it's inactive) and fierce stomach & headache problems, after spending nearly the whole two years of his mission service severely invaded by worms & other ailments (like several bouts of salmonella poisoning, dengue fever etc.) We've seen specialists, and frankly do need to see some more.

 But- he is much better & keeps getting better.

We are blessed.

He worked hard on his mission through it all- he has these amazing stories. It's so fun to have his companions  visit with us and to hear about it from their perspective- really amazing & crazy & scary & how did my boy get to be a man so fast? I love this kid.

So- for his birthday in true Jack style- he had an adventure.

His best buddy Corey & he were up with a group of friends watching a movie the night before his birthday & it got late-- they decided at this point- they probably wouldn't get up if they went to sleep. Instead of going to bed- they headed up to their favorite fishing spot. All they had on them was their poles & knives. They bedded down next to the fire they made, on the ground. 

When the sun came up & they could hear the fish jumping-

 they got up and within 15 minutes had each caught fish.

What else would you do with fresh fish on the morning of your 22 birthday?

Grill it on a make shift grill of course!

Man vs. wild has nothing on Jack & Corey.

A couple of months after Jack came home I was in getting my temple recommend renewed & I broke down & cried. I cried to the poor guy and said Why? Why did he have to get so sick in the service of God? He told me an amazing thing that has stuck with me-

He said, Jack has an adventurous spirit. He went places & talked to people other missionaries may not have been able to see. He wasn't afraid. He had what it took to put himself on the line. He will be blessed for being that missionary & he will be watched over by angels for the rest of his life. 

This rang true in my heart.

Writing this post reminded me of that interview & those words & yes-

 we all have different missions in our lives.

I hope I have the courage to follow through with mine.

Happy Birthday Jack