Jerome; a #givethanks post

So yesterday was Jerome's birthday (he claims he's turning 59, but he's been 59 for the past year, so that tells you something's up, haha. I know his real age, but it is a secret everyone must find on their own).

I was going to do a #givethanks for him on Facebook, but something felt weird with it being so public. 

Like, if I shared only a little, people would wonder who the heck Jerome is. Which isn't horrible. I almost went for this option.

If I shared a medium amount, it would fix the previously stated problem, but we run into the next problem of me feeling like it's not enough. It would be at that weird point where things are said, but something just feels lacking.

If I shared a large amount, it would fix the previously stated problems, but we run into the next problem of it being a kind of private thing that I'm sharing with tons of people who don't know Jerome, and it might be a little weird. Or, perhaps, they do know Jerome but it would be weird for them for a missionary to dedicate a whole #givethanks post to him. I don't know.

Point being: Something was off and it wasn't fitting together, so yesterday instead I decided to do my post on how I'm thankful for the opportunity thus far to serve a mission.

I came up with the idea to simply post about Jerome on my blog instead. Feels better that way.

I'm going to act like it was written yesterday (aka, his birthday).

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I am thankful for Jerome!

It's his birthday today, so I thought it would be cool to write about him.

He'll claim he's 59, but he's been saying he's 59 for the past year, so that tells you something is up, haha. 

Discovering his age, which is one of the great unknowns of the universe, was an opportunity I only had because I was blessed to serve in his ward for 6 months of my mission.

Jerome does not like flattery. I think the difference between flattery and a sincere compliment is just that: sincerity. I hope my sincerity can get across in my writings.

Who is Jerome?

He is a man in one of the wards I served in for 6 months. He lived across the basketball court away from us (so: really really close by).

But who is Jerome?

Jerome is a man who teaches. He taught many people alongside us missionaries. He taught me to value Preach My Gospel. He has taught me many valuable principles, which would take far too long to write down here.

Jerome is a man who helps. He has helped me recognize my efforts. He has helped me understand what I truly value. He has helped me learn how to center and ground myself.

Jerome is a man who, when asked, would, if he was able, provide. He provided us a large box for Man on a Mission Episode 4. He provided us a car and a honk in Man on a Mission Episode 5. He provided us many many things.

Each of those sections could be much much longer, but I'll refrain from making them so.

If I had to put it in one sentence, it would but thus:

Jerome is a man who sacrifices.

He claims he does it for the "blessings", but I know it's truly out of love. Love for the Lord and love for the Lord's missionaries.

Save certain companions only, Jerome is the individual who has had the greatest impact on me as a person and as a missionary during the course of my mission.

#givethanks