Missionary Sadness

We dropped James off at the MTC today. It should have been the happiest moment ever, but the other boy from the ward who was leaving at the same time as James and who also had his farewell on Sunday with James came over with his Dad and told us he had decided not to go. It burst our bubble. The world was great and we were happy for both young men. We had spent the summer preparing James and now I am filled with sadness for the young man who did not go. We have said our prayers for him and I hope he will stay active in the church. I feel sadness for his parents too. We have spent the summer discussing and comparing plans and preparations. We attended the Temple with them, I taught him the temple preparation lesson, Oh, the pain I feel for a young man who is not even mine. Please pray for him that he will find the courage to serve the Lord.