“Ben, maybe you need to calm-up!”

 “Ben, maybe you need to calm-up!”

—Joseph Rivera In response to Ben’s comment about us all needing to calm down about your imminent return.

So, kid. This will more than likely be the last letter that I write to you during your mission service. I have mixed feelings about it. Mostly, I’m super excited to see you, your growth, your transition into full-on manhood. The Lord completes that transformation so beautifully all while you were trying so hard to forget yourself. I’m excited to spend time with you and hear about your experiences. I’m excited to be around when you and your brothers reconnect. I’m excited to see the accomplishments you achieve as you move into life. But the mixed feelings come because Elder Jacob Rivera won’t be in Mexico City looking for someone who needs to hear the most important message that God has for them. I remember when Covid hit and Ben told us that they might send all of the missionaries home how bleak a city like San Francisco would be without them, how hard the lack of that priesthood was going to be on that place. On an individual level, there are people there that are going to miss your influence — investigators, members, and missionaries alike will miss having the example, goodness, and fun that Elder Rivera brought into their lives.

I think of all the growth that you’ve had. I’m sure I don’t see it all because of my distance from you. I often tell you of the pictures that come up of our family and adventures on my tv screensaver. This week one came up from when we went to our first Texas Rangers game. You were not happy. I had no idea why. And like the person with the limited vision that I am, it use to frustrate me. I think I eventually learned to be patient enough with you. It occurred to me that all this time that was your OCD, and it took you being away from me for you to find out that that was a condition, it was more than just Jake being Jake. That’s your Father in Heaven being the perfect father you need, not the imperfect father you got. I learned so much about myself as I served my mission, I’m sure that you have as well. That knowledge it’s incredibly valuable, and it’s something that those that don’t serve miss out on. 

One of the fears you expressed is the thought of losing your testimony. Well, I can only say don’t! A testimony is like any other strength that you possess. Use it and exercise it and it will stay strong. Neglect and forget about it, and it will wither. Even worse, and this is how most of the people that I know have lost their testimonies have lost it, don’t put anything above or in front of it. Some people put hobbies or activities in front of it, some put their appetites first, others even put their empathy for others in front of it by justifying their feelings over the commandments of God. We should always have compassion for others, despite their choices, but we shouldn’t justify them, or ourselves over our covenants.

Grandma just got here for dinner. The Bergs are coming over too. I got a text from your aunt Selena that she is struggling with anxiety and depression. She’s had bouts of that in the past, I have too. In those times the best thing is to be close to those that love you.

———

Well, the house is back to just us. Mom and Ben made delicious ground beef and potato tacos, both with corn and flour tortillas. Ben made delicious green salsa, mom made guacamole, a giant bowl of quac. Man oh man. Most of the discussion was about you and Joe and your eminent transitions. I did tell them some of my Neways stories which may have stressed grandma out a little.

This was a big week travel wise for this family, I guess we could extend that to next week too. As you know I was in Boston. I got up at three to make a six o’clock flight, had a 30 minute layover in Minneapolis, got to Boston by two. I was shocked by how far east Boston is. It’s quiet a bit further east than Montreal, which is eastern in my mind. We went straight to a conference room in an office of our partners. We met for several hours then went to dinner in little Italy. Dinner was good, but the best part was walking to our hotel through downtown. Boston impressed me as a place I’d like to visit more often. Maybe I can take your mom with me next time. The next day was a marathon long meeting. I was grateful to be part of it and I was relevant with my contributions. But honestly, by the eighth hour I was anxious to get back on the plane. It was a five and a half hour flight, it was uneventful thankfully. I got back to our house at about ten, glad to be home.

Then mom went with grandma and aunt Leila and that idiot byu zealot cousin to SoCal for grandma’s oldest brother’s funeral. They left early Thursday and came home super late (or early) Saturday morning. I missed her, but it sounded like a decent trip, all things considered.

Yesterday was a yard work day. Hallelujah I got the sprinklers fixed. I hope to get some green back in the backyard grass in the next week or so. I did a deep dive on the grass and yard, I can still feel it in my arms. I think I’ve done all the projects I’m likely to do before your homecoming. I’m ready to get outside for fun for the rest of the summer.

Looks like Joe’s call should come this week based on his status change in LDS tools. Also, bishop showed me his dashboard and both Joe and Wesely look like they are up. More of the boys in the priests quorum are talking more openly about serving missions, so maybe the drought is over in our ward.

Speaking of missionaries in our ward, the sister in our ward who served in Missouri had her home coming. I was a little annoyed at the first speaker because she went long for no good reason. I was probably projecting into your homecoming. Then I was disappointed with the first part of the missionaries talk because it was about some fictional, dramatic spiritual story. But the she told some real stories of conversion from her mission and I felt the Spirit really strongly. I won’t tell you what to say in your homecoming address Jacob, but conversion stories and testimony are what people want to hear and feel. 

President McMullin chatted with me about your release. I told him what time you flight arrives so he said to stop for dinner on the way home and meet I’m in his office at the church at 9. He’s looking forward to chatting with you.

Well my boy, I just want to remind you of this: you have served an honorable mission, you have worked hard and been obedient. You have listened to the Spirit and given them the message that their loving Heavenly intended for them. You have been a positive influence in the lives of your companions and fellow missionaries. Hold your head up when you come home. You did what nobody else in your generation in the ward was willing or able to do. You set a solid example for your little brother. I’m not sure what you have ahead of you in life that will be more challenging than this, but this shows that you can match your challenges and grow by doing so.

I’m so profoundly proud of you my son. 

Love,

Pops