Easter Dinner - Jason Mission

My son Jason received his mission call to serve in the Orem Utah Mission on March 27, 2017. He served from July 9, 2017, to July 4, 2019. In all of the areas he served, he had multiple wards (and sometimes multiple stakes) that he and his companion covered. As a result, it was hard for him to get to know all of the members in his area. 

A unique and fun experience for Annette and me while Jason served was that at least once per week (sometimes every day), one or both of us would receive a text message from a strange number with a picture of Jason and his companion in someone's home. In most cases, the text message came from a member of the church who had invited the missionaries to their home for dinner. I am including a couple of example pictures. 

Jason and companion at a dinner appointment
January 2018

Jason and companion at a dinner appointment
February 2018

In many cases, Jason had never met the member before he showed up at their house for dinner. In most areas he served, members would sign up to feed the missionaries on a dinner calendar and Jason would meet the members for the first time at the dinner appointment. 

Easter in 2018 was on April 1. Jason and his companion were invited to Easter dinner at a member family's home. The made arrangments for the time using text messages and never told their names to the family. 

They arrived at the family's home and rang the doorbell. The family invited them in and they introduced themselves. The family was Bruce and Christine Bergeson. Bruce Bergeson is my first cousin! Bruce's mother is my mother's sister. Jason was able to have Easter dinner with his family even though he was serving his mission hundreds of miles from home. 

Jason and companion
Easter Dinner with the Bergesons
April 1, 2018