CLOSURE

JACOB HAS RETURNED AFTER COMPLETING A SHORT BUT HONORABLE MISSION.
HAVE YOU HEARD THE MANY NEWS REPORTS AND EVEN THE NFL SPEAKING ABOUT THE SERIOUSNESS OF CONCUSSION.  JACOB SUFFERS WITH POST CONCUSSION SYNDROME.
HE HAS EXPERIENCED BLACK OUTS, BLURRY VISION, DIZZINESS AND CONSTANT HEADACHES.  HE NOW RESIDES WITH HIS GRANDPARENTS IN UTAH.  HAS OBTAINED A JOB A KOHLS AND PLANS TO ATTEND COLLEGE IN JANUARY.

WELCOME HOME JACOB, A TRUE WARRIOR

DOCTRINE & COVENANT 124:49

JACOB HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH POST CONCUSSION SYNDROME.  IN ARIZONA HE WAS TESTED, AND TESTED.  SOMETHING LIKE 2 CT'S OF THE BRAIN, 3 MRI'S AND NUMEROUS BLOOD TEST.  HE HAD A FULL CARDIO WORK UP.  ALSO A NUEROLOGIST AND ENT CONSULTED.
UPON ARRIVING BACK HOME IN ALABAMA AT HIS FOLLOW UP WITH THE DOCTOR HE WAS TOLD THE SAME DIAGNOSIS.  TOLD HE WOULD HAVE A LONG HAUL BEFORE HIM.
SINCE HE HAS NOT HAD A BLACK OUT IN A WEEK SHE CONSIDERS HIM ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY.  HE CANNOT DRIVE FOR 3-4 MONTHS NOR MAKE SUDDEN MOVEMENTS.
HE HAS BEEN PUT ON 3 DIFFERENT MEDICATIONS IN ATTEMPT TO CONTROL HIS SYMPTOMS.
PRESIDENT FELT SHARED THIS SCRIPTURE WITH US:
D&C 124:49
  49 Verily, verily, I say unto you, that when I give a commandment to any of the sons of men to do a work unto my name, (PAUSE FOR A MOMENT AND THINK, THIS CAN REFER TO A MISSION) and those sons of men go with all their might and with all they have to perform that work, and cease not their ^adiligence,(JACOB EVEN AFTER THE INITIAL IMPACT PUSHED FORWARD DOING ALL THAT HE COULD) and their enemies(PAUSE AGAIN-WHO OR WHAT ARE ENEMIES) come upon them and ^bhinder them from performing that work, behold, it behooveth me to ^crequire that work no more at the hands of those sons of men, but to accept of their offerings.(PRESIDENT FELT STATED JACOB HAS COMPLETED A SUCCESSFUL MISSION THAT HE HAS DONE ALL THAT WAS REQUIRED OF HIM)
  53 And this I make an ^aexample unto you, for your consolation concerning all those who have been commanded to do a work and have been hindered by the hands of their enemies, and by ^boppression, saith the Lord your God.

The Strength of a Missionary

So, one of my teammates made this video and I asked her if I could use it, because I think it is amazing. It is incredibly inspiring for athletes, but it's interesting because once Ilene pointed out that it is inspiring for missionary work as well-it fit perfectly. I can't even imagine how tough missionary work can be. Tracking day in and day out, some people listening and some people not. Yet, every missionary has what makes him or her stronger. Of course God gives us family. Of course God gives us friends. He knows we are going to go through hard times and He wasn't about to let us go through them alone. For me, if I were to make a video like this. I would say that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ make me stronger everyday. They know I have weaknesses and they allow me to work them into strengths. My family and every person that I know I am supposed to meet--Jake and his family--support that I know I will always have even when I am miles away. These things make me stronger :)

DISCOURAGING MOMENTS

Jacob bumped his head on his bunkbed and received a slight concussion.  During the next few days he experienced dizziness and weakness.  Was taken to the hospital July 26th where they rehydrated him.  When he mentioned he had had lymes disease they kept him to do additional test.  We are awaiting a call from his
Mission President.
Jacob WOULD NOT LIKE a lot of fuss or attention, the President states he, Jacob, is anxious to get back out and get back to work.
After experiencing such highs with some of his early success he is experiencing some discouraging moments.
I know he is included in ALL of our prayers

Jake's Advice

In the last letter I received, Jake ended the letter with some advice. He said, "Spend as much time as you can with your family. I wish more than anything that I would have done that more in VA...Your family is one of the greatest gifts that Heavenly Father gave you. As you already know, family is where true happiness is and only there can you find it."

Jake is one of the best examples to me of someone who always treasures and appreciates family. He taught me a lot about the significance of family when he was here and he continues to teach me while on his mission. I don't think it was a coincidence that Jake gave me this advice in this letter, because it came at a time when I am getting ready to leave for school. His letter allowed me to stop and appreciate my family and encouraged me to treasure each day I spend with them. I think it's good advice for everyone! :)

Hopin"

Been hoping Jacob would send some pictures.  Funny that being 105 degrees is cool compared to 115 degrees, cannot even imagine.  Jacob wrote it is so hot the soles of his shoes melt to his bike pedals and that he burnt his fingers on his watch.  Had a couple of items thrown at him from moving cars, but missed him.

Hard Physical Work

Jake wrote: Its a lot of work being on a mission, especially physically.  We rode our bikes in 112degree yesterday and every time I got off the bike my back is drenched and my garments are drenched.  Its pretty gross but by the time we get done talking to someone on the street it completely drys.  Dehydration is a huge problem.  So is heat exhaustion.  I am constantly tired, but hopefully I will get better:"

s

Wrote "Friday morning we got a referral from the temple's visitors center." This led to a baptism on Sautrday!

(This story  made even my Faith spin dizzily)

He further wrote:  I realized that in my area the people either hate us or love us.  Like when we ride our bikes around we get honks and waves, but we also get the middle finger, we get stuff thrown at us and we hear every cuss word.  But I think I am getting used to it, I have so many interesting story's everyday."

A Spiritual Giant!

I just got back from Pioneer Trek and it was incredible! One of the days focused a lot on missionary work and how it is so crucial for young men to go and to grow on missions. There were five girls and seven boys in my family. As we approached a very steep and bumpy road, the boys were given mission calls and were asked to leave the sisters behind. After watching the young men proceed up the hill we gathered together as women and tears streamed down my face--the experience was perfectly applicable. The Stake President's wife then spoke to us about how we as young women need to do everything in our power to encourage boys to go on missions. Then we pulled the handcarts up the trail as women. I have never had a greater confirmation that the Lord knew me individually and that Jake was where he was supposed to be until that moment. Then as the Trek ended and I finished pulling the handcart my mom handed me a letter!!! Jake is and is continually becoming a spiritual giant :) Here is just a part of his most recent letter that I loved:

"I know without a doubt that our Heavenly Father wants me to go to Arizona. I know that our Heavenly Father will guide and help me to those He has already prepared for the gospel of Jesus Christ!"

Awesome, huh?! I can't wait to hear about his experiences in Arizona :)

JACOB LEFT MTC THIS MORNING

WROTE HIS PARENTS HE WOULD

ARRIVED IN ARIZONA AROUND

10A.M.

Jacob wrote "Ony 6 more days and I am in Arizona.  Exciting.  I can't wait to get back into the world.  I can't wait to feel unique again."
"Today I was able to be a host for those new Missionaries.  It's so weird that it was only 2 weeks ago."
He shared an awsome experience in how his district has become his family and a special testimony moment.

Said one Elder has left to go home and how it touched them all and how sad it was.

Excerpts from June 18 letter to Grandma and Grandpa Graves

"I have a lot of stuff to do like clean my room," (see I knew there would come a day)"get new sheets, buy a couple things from the store. I have to email my parents today for sure. So I thought I write you while I am waiting for my Laundry."  (Don't you love it and I am so glad for laundry, we get a letter).
"Its so weird cause now when I read my scriptures now its relaxing time, Its so funny cause before I felt like I needed too and I have to. but here I always want to cause its relaxing not having to worry about how I am going to teach the next lesson or preparing for an Investigator but when I read it is my personal time.  I really enjoy it and i feel I learn more by myself in personal study than a class.'
"In the morning our district went to the Provo Temple.  It was really cool.  I love how every Temple is different but the spirit is in all of them."
"So about the gum, we can't have any but candy is good.  But you don't have to worry about sending me food though, they feed us well, maybe even to well."

OUTSIDE LOOKING IN--ENTERED MTC JUNE 2,2010

We ate lunch at the Noodle Factory and for his last non-mssion meal he ordered Mac&Cheese.

                                                    

Accompanied by Uncle Jeff and Aunt Andrea, cousin Carson and Grandma Gravesr

Time to say good bye and God be with you.  Love ya Jake see you in two years.

WASHINGTON D.C. TEMPLE

Jacob took out his endowments in the Washington D.C. temple. April 10 2010.      He was accompanied by Daniel Jenson and his parents,                  Cindy and Bob Maloney and grandfather Bob Maloney .

On this same day his sister Mikayla was baptized

From Jacob's letter to his Grandpa Graves

Jacob wrote "Attitude is every thing Grandpa.  It will make our day or will have the opposite affect.  So I believe that a good attitude will make your trials a whole lot easier."

Missionary Scriptures/Quotes!

One of my favorite misisonary quotes was by President Gordon B. Hinckley. He had been on his mission a short while when he wrote back home to his father. He told him that money was being wasted by him being out in the field. President Hinckley's father wrote back: "Forget yourself and get to work." I love this quote because it not only applies to those serving missions, but to all of us.

What is your favorite missionary quote or scripture? Not only would they be fun to include in letters, but they could be motivating to all of us as we all try to be missionaries:) Post any that you think of or find!

First Letters!!

I got my first letter from Jake on Wednesday June 9th! It's been a week since he arrived in the MTC and it is so good to hear from him:) He was made a district leader and so he's been extra busy. What have you guys heard from him?! Post and share something from your first letters. I think this will be a way fun way to stay updated, even if some of us are states away!!