To my son,
Well, you have survived the last six weeks at the MTC. You have done so well, have learned so much, already grown in so many ways, and helped so many people while you were there. I could not be more proud of you. In the next couple of days as you now prepare yourself to head off to the other side of the world, there are just a few things I wanted to write to you.
Dropping you off at the MTC, hugging you goodbye, and watching you walk away was the hardest thing I have ever had to do. You will not understand the heartache that I felt until one day when you are a parent yourself. Why would a mother not only let, but encourage her son to do such a thing. Because I know it’s the best thing you can do for yourself, the church, and for the people of the Philippines. The next two years will transform you. You will learn lessons that will make you the person you want to be for the rest of your life.
You were so blessed to be born into a happy, healthy, privileged and stable life. I think you will soon find that very few people in this world are so lucky, try to have patience with those people who have had a different life than you. Give yourself over to the work of the Lord, let go of your ego and insecurities and find the souls who are desperate, broken, hurting and searching for peace and happiness. The gift of the gospel is immeasurable. Think about how much joy it has brought to our lives! I'm sure there will be hard days, sad days, really exhausting days, difficult companion days, hot days, and wet days. But keep yourself focused on why you are there. Try your best to stay positive and focused on the blessing that you will be to others and your family and yourself. Depend and rely on the Lord in all you do.
There are so many people here at home that are pulling and praying for you, pray for them too. Especially grandma Linda. She has some tough times ahead of her. Don’t be afraid to summon angels to help you through your own tough times, or just when you need things to go your way. There are many people already in heaven who love you are just hoping and waiting to be asked to help you be successful. You know Grandpa Ralph would move heaven and earth to help you out any way he can!
Also make sure to have fun! Missions don't always have to be so serious. Try your best be helpful and a joy to everyone you meet! Enjoy the culture, the environment, the people, the food, and all the things that will be unfamiliar to you. Soak it all in. I cant wait to hear about all of the adventures you will get to experience. If things aren't going the way you expected or planned, change your plan, be able to adapt! You will find more success if you are flexible. If you have a lazy, cranky, sad, homesick companion, be the one to encourage and cheer him up. If YOU are the lazy, cranky, sad, homesick companion, don't dwell in that mental space very long. You can have a bad day, or even week, but then snap out of it, find a way.
Eat healthy! yes that means vegetables! Make sure to find time to stay physically fit. Your body needs strength and nutrition to be able to toughen up your immune system and fight off infections as well as have a strong positive mental attitude. You aren't much use to the people of the Philippines if you are sick in bed all the time, so listen to your mother! Take care of yourself!
Most importantly, love and serve the people of the Philippines, make it your number one priority.
I know we have been through this but please always make the time to write thoughtful letters to your mother. It is not easy to be a missionary mom and the letters make all the difference.
"No love in mortality comes closer to approximating the pure love of Jesus Christ than the selfless love a devoted mother has for her child."
-Elder Jeffrey Holland
Keep a journal, make it a habit, write down all your spiritual experiences and feelings and take lots and lots of pictures, not just of yourself and your companions, but beautiful and interesting ones, of everything you see and experience, you are so lucky to get to live in such a beautiful place and we want to see and be a part of your journey too! Take pictures even of all the things you might find boring or mundane, not just for us but you will be glad to have them when you get home too!
Your first priority should be to love and serve the people of the Philippines, Don’t get too caught up in numbers of baptisms. If you center your life around those you love, just think about how much more full your life will be as you are striving to constantly become better, standing for truth and everything good.
I bought this 801 t-shirt over 2 years ago, before I even knew for sure that you would be serving a mission, but hoping that you would. I have been saving it for this very day. It has an 801 on it because that is our area code and a beehive because that represents Utah. I want you to always remember where you came from, who you are and what you stand for. Wear it with pride and let it be a reminder to you that Utah is your home and it is full of those who love you. Be a good example to others and represent your home and the name Yarro to the best of your ability.
I hope that you keep this letter close to you for the next two years and re-read it often. Don’t come home until you are done. You know I love you fiercely my boy,
Love Mom
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