Hello Elder Rivera!

Hey Jacob,

I’m starting this letter the night before we take you to the airport. You’re out playing basketball with your brothers, which, from my perspective is your natural habitat. It’s one of my favorite sounds, even though sometimes when the ball hits the wall or somebody slaps the wall in annoys me. You seem to be the heart of all of my favorite sounds in our house. I love your piano playing, I love it when you loudly tease your mom, I love the sound of your voices late at night when you and Ben are talking. I can’t understand what’s being said, but I can understand the fun, enthusiasm, and brotherly love that’s behind those voices.

Today I took the day work off. I thought I did it just so you wouldn’t be by yourself. Now that the day is almost over, I realized that I did it because I didn’t want to be by myself while you were home on your last day. I know it was a little stressful for you, but it was a happy day for me.

You say that you’re not ready, and you may not be. I’m not sure how important that is in comparison to how willing you are. You seem fully willing to follow your brother and cousin into the mission field. I don’t recall ever seeing hesitation in you. I feel confident that that willing spirit will carry you far as you gain the abilities that you fear are lacking.

Tonight we stopped by grandmas house. I feel the love between you and your grandparents so strongly. Whenever you feel unsure of what God’s love is, what the atonement is for, or how we’ll feel when we meet the Savior again, think of that love. That’s the real thing that you are going out to teach. That’s what those people that are open to your message are searching for. 

Also remember that love in your hard times, you will have them. Remember that that sweet grandma, and all the rest of us are on our knees praying for you multiple times a day. You will get through, you will be effective, and you will be happy.

The most important times that I want you to remember that love though is in those times that you feel joy. I promise that you will have many times like that, and that joy will be for the people that you are serving. That joy is God’s love, and we return our love to Him by expressing our gratitude to Him. 

Alright, enough of that sappy dad stuff for now, sorry. I’ll finish this letter sometime tomorrow, hopefully you’ll soon be able to receive it.

________

Well, we just got home from the airport. On the way out of the airport Ben went on a rant because of that elder with no mask and his ukulele. Then he went on a rant about being 4 hours early to class. We stopped by Chick-fil-A after we dropped Ben off, but I seem to have lost my appetite.

The house is really empty now, I need to go work. 

I did notice that when you went down to security you seemed to get taller, more confident. I’m sure that’s me doing the sappy dad thing, but I feel such confidence in you. I know that you’ll be more than fine. These are such big days for you.

_________

Just looked at the clock, you are in the air! Godspeed Elder Rivera!

I’m here in the house by myself, it seems empty knowing you’re not upstairs. I also think a sense a different Spirit. Nothing bad at all, home is always home, but you really did bring the Spirit of the MTC here.

I’ll send this now. I’m not sure when you’ll be able to see it. I’ll write on Sunday nights like I did with Ben. I hope we can chat or text on Monday, but we’ll wait and see. Just know how many prayers are with you, and how much you are on our minds.

Love-YA-I-tell-YA!

Pops