May The Fourth Be With You, Elder Haw!

Did you know that the 4th of May is Luke Skywalker Day? That's right. May the Fourth be with you. Hilarious, I know.

But this particular Luke Skywalker Day has been 19.5 years in the making. My baby brother is heading out on a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I suppose if we're getting technical, at 19 he isn't my "baby" brother anymore, but he'll always seem that way to me. He'll be spending the next two years in the Jacksonville, Florida area serving the people and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. After a postponed report date due to difficulty obtaining a visa from Canada to the US (surely we aren't the only ones who see this as being slightly ridiculous!) it has finally arrived and he'll be reporting to the MTC today.

While he won't be able to see this post until he gets home, I wanted to pay him a little tribute and tell my blog buddies how proud I am of Elder Daniel James Haw.

Everyone plays a role in our family. Daniel happens to be The Boy. He's it. The male heir to the Haw Throne. Now before you go feeling bad for him having to grow up with three sisters, let the record show that we're nice sisters...for the most part. See how we make him feel loved?

And we plan to fully support him on his mission. Here's the evidence:

While he isn't a member of the church, my Dad has always supported Daniel in his decision to serve a mission. He recognizes the values that the Church instills in youth and can't help but notice that history has yet to record a young man returning from a two year service mission less responsible and mature than when he left. Mum and Dad have always encouraged us to be our best selves and to work hard...they were taking a short, well-deserved break at this particular moment :)

True to his British roots, Daniel is allergic to the sun and gets a sunburn humming "Walkin' on Sunshine." It's going to be a long two years in sunny Florida, and I'm guessing his Prince of Darkness routine from days of yore won't be an option in shirt & tie. I recommend SPF 100, pasty brother of mine.

If you haven't noticed it yet, Daniel bears a striking resemblance to one wand-wielding, Hogwarts-attending wizard. Daniel James Haw and Harry James Potter have been known to be confused. He dressed up as a vampire for Hallowe'en after a few of the movies came out. We're talking long, black cloak, slicked hair and above all, fangs with blood dripping from them. All night, he'd hear "Oh, my goodness! You're Harry Potter! How clever." He argued the first several times that he was indeed a vampire. By the end of the evening, it went more like this: "Oh, my goodness! You're --" "Yep. I'm Harry Potter. Trick or Treat." It took him a few years to concede, but he's finally embraced the likeness. Just in time to miss the last movie coming out.

I'm counting on his good looks and uncanny resemblance to help him get spotted at the Salt Lake Airport. I'm not sure how they're still around and haven't been translated yet, but I'm so lucky to have a sister-in-law & brother-in-law in Orem that would bend over backwards to help anyone with anything. Since she's 8 1/2 months pregnant, I refrained from asking her to bend over backwards, but asked instead if they could pick Elder Haw up at the airport, give him a place to stay the night and help him report to the MTC the following day. Amanda graciously accepted the challenge and we're so grateful to she and Mat for taking Daniel under their wing on his way to the MTC. He's grown up a little since the last time they saw each other at our wedding in 2006!

 

I am so immensely proud of my little brother for giving back two years of his life to the Lord and dedicating himself to His service. Serving a mission is a goal a young man has to set early in life in order to live to be worthy to serve and adequately prepare to teach. I know there are people in Florida and Georgia who've been prepared to hear the Gospel message from my brother, with all his humility, charm and English wit.

I'm going to miss him immensely while he's gone. Although I only get to see him once or twice a year, he always seems to answer the phone at home, and I swear his voice gets deeper every time we speak. He's hilarious, he's talented, he's musical beyond belief (his guitar will miss him), he's polite, he's respectful, he's loving and caring (way to go, Mum & Dad!) and the best brother my sisters and I could have asked for. So if you find yourself praying for the missionaries around the world and can spare a thought for Elder Haw, I know my family and I would appreciate it.

God Speed, Elder Haw! WE LOVE YOU!