Chapter 6

Scared vs Courageous!

 We are so proud of Elder Harris!

 There is no other way to say this other than Alema was scared to leave home. He was even more worried about his abilities to be a effective missionary and teacher.

 He didn't shy away from telling anyone he was nervous. 

I have asked myself this question, why would a mother tell everyone her child is scared?

Because it's true and because I'm his mother and I know he can do anything he puts his mind too. 

I am beyond proud of this boy! I am thankful for this boy! I love this boy!

 Ed and I have watched him prepare himself his whole life to serve  as missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. And when the time came he had self-doubt. 

This boy is like galvanized steel when it comes to striving to keep the commandments. I emphasis the word strive.
 Thank you Early Morning Seminary Teachers Everywhere!
He has had the nightly habit of coming into our room and thanking us for being his parents and raising him in the gospel.  He has also had the ability that I'm not sure most teens have in confiding in their parents about temptations, fears, goals, everything!  He has always counseled with us.  His fears of leaving home and teaching were no exception. 

When Alema turned in his mission papers they came back that his blood work wasn't done. Blood work not done? I took that as a sign that he needed a little more time to prepare. 

The night before he was to enter the MTC he was sick! I'm talking lying on the floor in the bathroom kind of sick. 

I looked at Ed and said, I'm not sure about this? I'm not sure if he is going to make it tomorrow.

Than I watched the most amazing, touching thing happen. I listened as Ed and Walker teached and testified to Alema that all would be well. I listened as his older brother, Walker spoke with love to his younger brother and retold the story of Nephi being sent back to Jerusalem to obtain the brass plates. Did he know how he would get them? No. Did he have faith? Yes. Did he trust in the Lord? Yes! Than he quoted this scripture 

1st Nephi 3:7 

And it came to pass that I, Nephi said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them. 

Many words of encouragement and love were spoken to help a son and brother have faith that he could and would be a great missionary!That his tongue would be loosened and he would teach with the spirit.That he would grow and learn in ways that would help him for all of eternity. He would touch people lives with his simple testimony and love of the Savior.

They gave him a priesthood blessing and than a miracle happened. He literally fell back into bed and started SNORING louder than I have ever heard him the ENTIRE NIGHT!!!! It was music to my ears! When he woke up in the morning he was completely

 CALM and READY to GO!

 This looks like COURAGE TO ME!

YOU CAN DO IT!!!! 
And we've only bought 1 gallon of milk since you left!