I’m Rena. I’ve been a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints since I was eight. Right now I’ve been the second councilor in the Relief Society for four years. I have three wonderful, amazing, beautiful children. (At least they have been at one time or another, never all at once or at the same time) I have two girls, 13, that’s right I said 13, and for any of you that have ever had a 13 year old girl you know what I mean. My other daughter is 10 and likes to think she is 18! I have one more child, not really a child, he’s 20 so technically he’s not a “child”, but has all moms know they will always be our children no matter how old they get.
My son is on a mission for the church in the Philippines. I love, love, love being a missionary mom! He’s been out for just over a year. There are things that have caught me by surprise and was amazed to find that there wasn’t anyone really talking about how it is to be a missionary mom. I know that it is different for everyone, but there are many things that missionary moms do have in common, and I think it will be nice to be able to see that we aren’t alone in our experiences and I hope to share some of what I have learned and experienced. I don’t claim to be any kind of expert, but I can talk about how it has been for me to be a MM, and that may benefit others. I also hope to make you laugh at some of my thoughts and feelings and experiences. I want to have a place that others can go to get some good advice. Plus, if you’re anything like me, you may feel like your ward and friends are sick of hearing everything about your missionary. I kind of get the feeling that they are saying, “WE GET IT! You have a son on a mission!” This can be a great place to tell your stories and know that we are happy to read them! I am just so proud of the title “Missionary Mom”!