Facing the Inevitable....

After spending months working on building this site, the past month, I have been avoiding writing on it. There are too many emotions to sort through, from incredible happiness to total despair, and I have not been sure of how to emit my thoughts without sounding like a loon. For now, I will write the things of my heart that I feel impressed to share as I return to writing on a regular basis. 

Today, I will share a bit of the "incredibly happy" news: My eldest son, Tylan McKinney, will be serving a full-time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in... drum roll, please.... Iquitos, Peru!! We are talking Amazon Jungle, folks!! It does not get any crazier than that for this mama!! Jaguars, piranhas, anacondas... OH MY!! Don't forget the beautiful butterflies! 

He leaves for Peru on Nov. 2nd and is scheduled to check in on Nov. 3rd... MY BIRTHDAY!! Did I mention my son is 17? SEVENTEEN!!!! He will  have just turned 18 when he leaves for 24 months! I have raised him the best I am able and now it is time to let the Lord watch over him completely. This mama is preparing to cut the apron strings and it is an emotional roller coaster for sure!! 

The blessings are already pouring out in abundance. Miracles are taking place, some of which I cannot share here. Although we have our set of trials in our household, I know that Elder McKinney going to do the Lord's work will bring nothing but joy in God's Kingdom. For this, I am grateful. 

Beaming greatly, 

Mama Dragon

Preparing for Heaven

Those that are closest to me know that I am the great-niece of a prominent leader in the religious organization I belong to. His sister was my grandmother. My grandfather (her husband) was my uncle's best friend.

For a while now, we have known my uncle has been ill- the whole world has known. It is only today that it has been made public knowledge that in the very near future, he will be returning to his Heavenly Home. Although our family has had time to prepare, seeing it in the news headlines makes it that much more difficult. 

How does one prepare for heaven? I believe it is by living your best life. In a letter I just sent to my cousin who is very close to our uncle, I shared these thoughts- 

"I just.. want to tell him how much I love him, how much he has impacted my life, and the life of my family, for good. I want to share how my eldest is in the process of filling out his mission papers and he will serve with honor! Part of that credit goes to the example of our uncle. There is just never enough time in this life, is there? Will he ever know how his Christ-like example has saved my family more than once? When Grandpa died, Uncle Tom became like a surrogate to me. Although our busy lives have not allowed for us to see each other often, he still has been a guiding force in my life. I love him as a grandfather and I will miss him as one. 

I think of the sweet reunion awaiting in heaven- of my grandparents and the other siblings, of his sweet Virginia and their daughter- of his parents, (my) Uncle Jerry, and (my) Aunt Mignon.... and I cannot grieve too long. I rejoice in the beauty and love that awaits him, and I only grieve for those of us left behind. I pray that his pain is lessened in his last days and that he may go in peace."

To the world, he is an apostle of God. To me, he is my beloved uncle as well. Either way, I am better for having him in my life. There is no man greater than one who serves the Lord willingly. This is my uncle. In serving the world, he has served God. In that, we can rejoice when he is called Home. 

Working towards Heaven-

Mama Dragon

Courtesy: lds.org