Im sure you know who I'm talking about when I describe... TwO men in suits, both wearing name tags saying Elder so and so, who you usually see riding their bikes, with back packs on, smiles always on their faces, knocking on your door at any given evening...Well if you haven't guessed yet...I'm talking about the Missionaries for the LDS church...or as I have heard them refered to as "the Mormon men in Black" *haha*
Growing up, I never really understood the importance of the Missionaries...or why what they do is so special...but I suppose the more knowledge you gain about the church, and if they are an immidiate part of your family...or in my case, your BoYfRiEnD...you begin to have a whole new appreciation for them, and get a "behind the scenes" look at the complicated life they live each and everyday for TWO whole years to fufill their duties to our Heavenly Father.
Just to give you some sort of example of how these incredibly strong young men live everyday...here is a very, very sort list of some of the "rules" they must live by eachday:
1. Learn and obey all missionary rules. (well I guess they don't have a choice) :D
2. Read only books, magazines, and other material authorized by the Church. (That's right..not even the news paper...ouch)
3. Dress conservatively. Elders: white shirts, conservative ties, and business suits. (Somewhat of an expensive transition of wardrobe)
4. Keep your hair clean and neatly combed at all times in the approved style. (Comb overs just came back into style) :D
5. Arise at 6:30 A.M. (try doing that 7 days a week for 2 years)
6. Study for 2 hours every morning. (Thats commitment...no wonder these boys know what their talkin about) :D
7. Write to your parents every week on preparation day [Mondays]. (not only do you nOt get to see your family, you are limited to when you can write them too)
8. Stay with your companion during all activities. (Well they can only hope to get a companion that they can at least tolerate seeing as they must be connected at the hip at all times)
9. Do not watch television. (oooh...try that for a DAY) :D
10. Do not listen to the radio. (oh yea...I can't even imagine)
Alright...so those are some of the very basic "rules" that must be followed, although there is a TON of other ones...and I honestly don't really want to sit here and name them all off...but Im sure you get the picture...and maybe even a TiD bit more of an appreciation for them and see some of the sacrafices they have put forth to spread the word of God. Now if that's not LoVe...I don't know what is.
As I stated above, my boyfriend is a Missionary...and I am totally, completly, and purely in LoVe with him. He is everything I have ever asked for and more. At this point in time he is serving his mission in Idaho. I call him bObber...although his name is Robert Konkright...but you can call him Elder Konkright. *smirk*
I am so proud of him and what he stands for. As a missionary, you bring many blessings to your family and loved ones for the time you serve the Lord. He has been out serving the Lord for about a YEAR and TWO MONTHS. He is suppose to return home on August 25, 2008. As a girlfriend to a wonderful man, who is litterally on the verge of pErFeCt...I was and still am, absolutly willing to wait the full amount of time for his long awaited arrival...aLtHoUgH something has come up.
Bobber had a bit of an accident one day at a members home and somehow ended up messing up his back, causing a "slipped disc." After this had happend, bObber would have to go to the hospital every once in awhile to get a shot into his spine and would have to repeat this process everytime he went to the hospital. This shot is called a Cortisone shot.
A Cortisone is a catabolic steroid which is intended to reduce inflammation by killing off the tissue in the inflamed area… now let me ask you, does that make any sense to you at all?

Not only are these injections quite painful (as they have been described to me), but they rarely result in any pain relief and if they do it is short lived, usually 1-2 weeks if at all. Plus, it does NOTHING to identify or address the cause of the pain… it is only intended to treat the symptom. 
Now knowing bObber was in much pain, these shots seemed to somewhat help for a short amount of time, as expected, but soon he started to experience other symptoms. As bObber continued these Cortisone shots, they seemed to help less and less and eventually his feet would start to become numb because when one of these discs bulges out into the spinal canal, it tends to push against the root of a nerve. This issue was brought up to his mission president...and to me, it seemed like no one really cared at all about what was happening.
The main answer bObber would get is to "wait it out"...or... "lets just see what happens" ...ummm...can anyone tell me what is wrong with this picture?
So there he is...Preaching the word of the Lord, going door knocking everyday, helping people with physical labor and at the same time is in complete pain. Bobber never once thought about himself...his thoughts were into what was "expected" of him and what everyone else "wanted" him to do. I actually had to teLL him that it was time for him to start thinking about himself and his own wellbeing.
Bobber then had to go to his mission president and express the amount of pain he was in and that him being on his mission while in so much pain was virtually pointless. This was really hard for him to do, because he doesn't ever want to dissapoint anyone for any reason.
Finally after many days of confusion, his mission president decided that the best solution would be for bObber to return home and see his own doctor about his condition and to ultimately recieve surgery to get him back into his best physical condtion so he can soon return on his mission. This whole surgery scares me so much and is usually a last resort to this type of condition. I am worried that this surgery could potentially make his condition ever worse or not even help at all...which as been the case for many other patients. But because he has to "get better fast or else..." surgery is the only logical way for him to potentially see any type of improvment sOOner.
Bobber is expected to be coming home November 6, 2007.
WHOA. Im not sure if anyone else is counting...but that is about 10 MONTHS earIier than I had expected to sEE him!! I know that the reason he is comming back is obviously horrible and that it sucks he can't be out there on his Mission...bUt...HoLy cRaP! I get to sEE him!! I get to tell him I LoVe him
-face to face- ! I get to hug him and laugh uncontrolably to all his jokes. It almost seems unreal. It is definetly a very weird and mixed up feeling to be absolutly terrified and entirely thrilled at the same time.
Well anyway...as I try to hold in all my overwhelming excitement...I am trying to put myself into his shoes and take a look at a very serious decision he will be faced with shortly after his surgery...
"Elder Konkright, are you willing to return to your mission?" Ughhh...I play those words over and over and over again in my head all the time...and try to answer them like I think HE would. BUT I can't. I know what I would say though: ..."Heck no, I'm ready to start school, to get married, to start my life..." But hey, I could never even attempt to have the strength he has...he's the one on the Mission and I'm here...just living a regular life...I couldn't even imagine being where he is now. Even if I pretended to have the amount of strength, faith, and knowledge he has...Im sure I couldn't answer that question.
The main thing that will effect his decision is what happens after the surgery. If he is not back to his best physical condtion after his recovery period, I'm sure he will make the smarter decision and stay home...not for a reason that is in vein...but because it is the best for his condition. Oh, but quite honestly...I'm sure he will recover, and probably pretty quick. He will be blessed, and more than likely...my bObber, my LoVe, my everything...will return out on his mission with another 10 months to go. Another 10 months of loneliness. Another 10 months of sleepless nights. Another 10 months of solitude from the world. 
How can I complain? Right? I mean, he is the one who can't contact anyone, he's the one with every restriction you could possibly think of...him...not me. I do feel like I am being so selfish in wanting him to stay with me...but that is just me being completly honest.
He will make his own decision, and Im sure it will be the best one for whatever situation he is faced with. Waiting for him is probably the hardest and easiest thing to do all at once. Confused? Well let me explain:
I know I want to be with this man. I know we were made for eachother. I know I will marry him in the San Diego Temple. I know everytime I see his name signed in a letter, it still gives me butterflies. I know he loves me. I know I would do anything for him...and when I say anything...this includes WAITING. I have no problem staying true and faithful to him...I swear to you that all other men have litterally become invisible to me. I see right through them. Just thinking about our future together gives me goose bumps. When is the last time the thought of yOuR boyfriend gave you goose bumps. *smirk* He gives me a reason to wake up every morning...and the thought of him stays in my dreams all night. Now you answer that question...Would you wait for someone that made you feel this way? Pretty easy to answer right?...so that is the "Easy part" of this.
The "Hard part" of the wait is just "wondering". Wondering what he's doing. Wondering if he's okay. Wondering what he's thinking about ... Then the "wishes". Wishing I could hold him. Wishing he was here when I cry. Wishing he could hold my hand and go grocery shopping together. And of course the "what ifs". What if he doesn't Love me when he comes back? What if he changes? What if Im not good enough?
So those are obviously minor dilemas...but it is truely incredible that it is possible to love someone so much you know you would honestly give your life for them.
So, Im holding my breath...and hoping these next few weeks go fast.
November 6th...HURRY UP!