Elder Cocker has been on his month 6 months and 22 days.  I am not ashamed to say, I still sleep with my phone by my pillow and the first thing i do is check email.  It is a mother's prerogative to hold her children as an utmost thought.

This past week learning that almost two weeks had gone by before i knew he was transferred, I wont lie. that really has thrown me for a loop.  It gave pause for much thought and many, many prayers. As I spoke to my dear friend who is about to send her son to the Melbourne Australia Mission and I heard of all the  physical requirements of his preparation my heart dropped.  So many things i hadn't even thought about to worry about and i'm pretty expert at that list.

My sweet friend said, sweetie you reminded me of Mary.  My eyes immediately teared up. The night i heard of his transfer and didnt have the details, going on midnight as i knelt to pray, despite my better thoughts i cried, "where is my son?" and then my phone beeped.  i finished my prayer, checked my phone and i had recieved at midnight a message sent six hours earlier from our stake president with his mission information and mission presidents information.  Somehow my phone had delayed the message receipt.  Prayer answered.

I thought of Mary. as told in Luke 2

 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. (And when he was nineteen years,  old they sent him up to the mission field as is the custom of the Elder's----you get where i'm going with this?)

 43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.

 44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.

 45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.

 46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctor's both hearing them, and asking them questions.

 47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.

 48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.

 49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? (Mom, i'm good his short email said, "Please don't call the Mission Prez again, I promise I will write more.)

and like this story in Luke i take great comfort in the words, "And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man".  

So to all the mommy's with missionaries out in the field or getting ready to send them with hearts full of tender affection and concern at this world gone mad.  There is great solace in His words, "be of good cheer and do not fear for I the Lord am with you (them) and will comfort you (them).

to note. on fb today Witness Faivakimoana placed this beautiful pic. She had run into Elder Cocker at a stake baptism and he'd been in Sydney nine days. she said, "I attended a baptism today in our stake and came across a familiar face!! It was so good to see him and his growth both physically and spiritually:) he's doing good seeing as he just got here 9 days ago but he's doing good, actually surprised he remembered me!!! "