I spoke with my mother, almost a year ago in August, about
my little brother. As my mother spoke to me she broke down. She told me that
her whole life, as she has raised McKay (Elder Gregson), he has had so much
desire and passion to do everything thing “Ty” /older brother (Elder Gregson)
has done. I played basketball. He wanted to play basketball. I went on dates.
He wanted to go on dates. I served a
mission. He wanted to serve a mission.
She said, “Ty, it breaks my heart…He literally can’t. How am I as a
mother [who cares so much about him] supposed to tell him no, when he has more
desire than just about anyone else.”
Those words, and more importantly feelings, sunk deep into
my heart. I told her that day as we spoke, that if there was any way I could go
out and serve with him I would. At the time it was an idea. To me it was never
to become a reality. Well, here I am today, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma serving a
mission this summer for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with my
brother.
We arrived here last Wednesday. Elder “Mac” was really
nervous. He was pretty quiet on the trip from Prairie Grove to Tulsa. I got him
to laugh and smile a little, bit, but the nerves were getting to him.
We arrived at our mission president’s house. That night we
met a bunch of other new missionaries. It was a new world and new experience
for “Ol Sunshine”. He kept to himself and answered very short and quiet when
people would ask him a question.
We both got to visit with the mission president, President
Shumway. He was so kind and fragile to
our situation. I knew he loved us and was inspired to bring us out on a mission
that was never supposed to happen. To him and our local leader, President
Bradford I am eternally grateful for their faith and confidence venturing in this
new ground.
After our meeting and greeting the next day it was time to
get started, the real deal. We had no idea what to expect, but we were willing
to adventure all for the sake of the truth of Jesus Christ and His restored
gospel.
That first day was like no other day! There is one other
time that I have ever seen my little brother so stressed out. The new people,
apartment, schedule, was like a tornado just went through my brothers mind. He
didn’t know how to handle it. All day he came to me in tears, questions, and
hugs. He really wanted to go home. I honestly thought he wasn’t going to make
it. He looked at me in the eyes that night before we went to bed and said,
“Will mom be disappointed or hate me if I come home early.” I quickly wrapped my
arms around him knowing with full confidence my mother would never feel that
way to the child she has cared for so much. I held him in my arms as we cried
together. That night was a night from hell. Satan was working hard and he was
winning.
The next morning started no different. The fiery darts of
the adversary came quick and often. The first words that came out of McKay’s
mouth when we woke up, “I think I need to go home. I can’t make it.” I tried
and tried to help him create a vision to see just through a few days. It wasn’t
coming. I was trapped, nowhere to go, but to look toward Heaven.
I know my prayers, McKay’s desires, and everyone’s prayers
where being answered. I text President Shumway asking if he had anytime to talk
on the phone that day He immediately called me. As we talked on the phone he
gave us things that would help McKay to function, become comfortable and to
fulfill part of his divine destiny.
As soon as we got off the phone, the Lord helped us to set
specific goals with the instruction that President Shumway gave us. These are
what we like to call our Goo Goals: Get comfortable. Teach one member a day.
Help in the mission office. Play basketball. Call family. That was it
I’m not even being crafty with words, AS SOON AS we set the
goals, his demeanor changed. Light filled his soul. He could see that these
were things he could do. These are things that he could mentally break up,
schedule, and not get over whelmed. I know that was a blessing from God to
Elder “Mac” and myself. I now knew his limits and it is my responsibility to
help him work and function within those limits. I know the Lord is proud that
McKay is LITERALLY doing EVERYTHING he can.
The next two days he was so excited. He was happy he joked
around. He talked with members. He said prayers in there homes and even read
scriptures with them. He was doing absolutely phenomenal! He even walked into the
kitchen as I was getting water and said, “I want to ask someone to be baptized.”
Satan may have fought hard on day one, but the God who lives and loves each and
every one of us stood firm. He has never changed. He is always near. We all may
have to pass through a part of a storm. You might look up and all you see are the
clouds all around. The Lord promises, “if though will endure it well, I will
exalt the on high.“
I don’t mean to poke or pry or say my little brother’s
disability is greater than anybody’s struggle, but will I will boldly say is
that he will have it until the day he dies so that the glory of God may be
accomplished. That is a blessing to him, me, and you. Most of our struggles
will come to an end as we walk day by day, and as we call upon God, I testify
as a representative of the Lord Jesus Christ He will come and deliver us. He
already has made the sacrifice. Do you believe it? He will abide with you. I
have witnessed it first hand. Don’t give up. Trust God.
Thank you to everyone who has been praying on our behalf. In
the Book of Mormon there is a story about a people that were slaves. They
prayed from their hearts that the Lord would help them in their captivity. The
Lord said to them, “Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of
the covenant which ye have made unto me; and I will covenant with my people and
deliver them out of bondage. And I will also ease the burdens which are put
upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs…and this
will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter and that ye may know
of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.” The
Lord came to those people and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to
all the will of the Lord. I promise in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ,
that has been the answer to your prayers! Elder “Mac” is in bondage mentally
and physically, but I am a witness of the miracle of your prayers. The burdens
that are upon his shoulders, he carries them with ease and he does so
cheerfully! Thank you!
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