Emotional Week

This past weekend has been a tough one. Going back up to Fall River was one of the best and hardest things I have done on my mission. It was incredible to be up there, but at the same time, it was really difficult. We were able to work it out so that all of the missionaries from the past year, plus the ones currently serving there in Fall River, were at the funeral. Me, E. Schiffman, E. Mortenson, and E. Mortenson's companion after I left all drove up together. As soon as we walked into the church building and some of the members saw us we were surrounded. I was grabbed by the relief society sisters preparing the meal and hugged by them all. Sis. Clark even kissed me on my cheek. Yeah, I know, breaking the rules, but that's how it goes sometimes. I just about started crying when Linnea, the youngest Petersen girl came running up to me and hugged me. Each of the older Petersen girls greeted us and I was able to tell each of them that I loved them. Their mom, Sheri, hugged me and kept saying how grateful she was that we were able to make it. She had a great attitude about everything while we were there, but when you looked her in the eyes, you could tell that she was hurting pretty badly inside. Elder Schiffman described how I was feeling almost exactly. He said, "You can't help but feel like a big baby when you're balling your eyes out and then you look at the Petersen's and they don't have a tear in their eyes." The hardest part of the day for me was when one of the speakers mentioned how speaking at Greg's funeral was the greatest honor he had ever received. Although my part in the service was very small, I felt the same way. It meant so much that they asked me to participate by playing their favorite hymn, If You Could Hie To Kolob, and also some postlude while Greg was carried out of the chapel by the pall-bearers. I will never forget this experience.

I love the Petersens. I have learned so much from them in the short time I have known them. I will be forever grateful for the love they have given me and also the sacrifice they have made for me. I have learned more fully what it means to be true to your faith, to endure cheerfully, and to have Christlike love for those around you. Greg Petersen was and is still an incredible man and I look forward to the time when I can give him a hug and thank him for sharing his family with me. If there is anything I could possibly do for any of them, I would do it.

This is going to have to be a short email today. Conference was wonderful. I have learned that I need to be more grateful for the people in my life. I am also going to work on being less prideful. Life is good, time is short, do your best. Be mighty!

love to all,
Elder Justin Hammer