Week 52 - The LAST!

One of the blessings of the pandemic is the various ways that missionaries can serve. In my mission the full-time missionaries were given four options  - they could choose to be released early, they could work from their apartments until the offices and libraries are safe to open, they could go home to serve there with the expectation they could be called back when it's safe, or they could go home to finish from there. I guess technically I'm doing this last option. I came home five days early in order to see and hear Madeline report her mission. I'm so glad I did! She did a beautiful job!

My release date is Thursday, August 27, so this will be my last official letter as a missionary.

I had a very sweet exit interview with President Randall. In the short time I've worked with him, I have come to love and respect he and Sister Randall. He spent a half hour with me and was so kind in telling me how valuable my contribution has been to the mission. I told him about the process I went through in deciding to serve a mission, and he shared a sweet experience he had with then-Elder Eyring when he visited their mission in Japan. He told them of how a missionary is called, and he used Article of Faith 5: 

"We believe a man must be called of God..." That's when you know you are to serve a mission - before you get the actual call letter from the prophet. When I knew in the temple that I was to serve a mission, that was when I was called of God. 

"By prophecy..." That's when an apostle reviews the recommendation and compares it with the needs and receives that confirmation of where a missionary should serve. There are some wonderful conference talks about this sweet process - Elder Rasband gave one in April 2010. Because of the experiences I've had and the assignments I was given, I know that I was supposed to serve in the Utah Salt Lake City Headquarters Mission at this specific time.

"And by the laying on of hands..." My stake president set me apart and gave me a beautiful blessing, and I believe that I have experienced all the blessings that he gave me that night.

Then President Randall read to me out of the D&C - first in section 31 verse 5: "Therefore thrust in your sickle with all your soul, and your sins are forgiven you, and you shall be laden with sheaves upon your back, for the laborer is worthy of his hire...." Then from section 84 verse 80: "And any man [or woman] that shall go and preach this gospel of the kingdom, and fail not to continue faithful in all things, shall not be weary in mind, neither darkened, neither in body, limb, nor joint; and a hair of his head shall not fall to the ground unnoticed. And they shall not go hungry, neither athirst." I have definitely felt all these blessings. During a global pandemic, I haven't had so much as a cold. My "limbs and joints" though weak and painful at times, never caused me to not be able to serve.

This end of my mission is definitely a bittersweet time. I am glad to be home, but I will truly miss my friends and miss the work I've been able to do. I know that I have helped many people and been appreciated for what I have done. I'm grateful that I can continue to serve as a service missionary - still assigned to the Family History Department and working with people I know, doing things I know how to do, and I'm happy that I can do it from home. I know that the blessings for my family will continue. Thank you all for your love and support. I never could have done it without the knowledge and reality of your faith and prayers for me.

 

Week 51

 Well I'm beginning my week of "lasts" - I can hardly believe it! I can't believe how fast this year has flown by. I spent exactly half of my mission in the "normal" phase, and half during a worldwide pandemic. I'm so very grateful that I got to experience so many wonderful things while the mission was fully functioning:

• Attending the Salt Lake Temple almost every week while it was still open and functioning
• Attending church in the beautiful chapel of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building
• Working every day in the mission office of the same beautiful building
• Singing in the choir with Vanja Watkins
• Riding the elevator with Elder Gong and Elder Rasband
• Accidentally running in to Elder Bednar and Elder Uchtdorf, President & Sister Oaks, Elder Johnson ("every day, every day, every day"), Elder Soares
• Distant glimpses of others

It's amazing to me how this mission (along with so many others) has stayed functioning despite the difficulties of the world being shut down. The miracle of technology has kept missionaries here serving in many capacities and working on projects that would never have been attempted or worked on under "normal" circumstances. The Lord has truly provided a way for His work to continue on BOTH sides of the veil. 

Last night we had a special mission conference with Elder D. Todd Christopherson, his wife, Elder & Sister Texeira and Elder Schmutz of the presidency of the Seventy. Part of the meeting included a question & answer period with Elder Christopherson. One of the questions was from a missionary saying that she quit her job to serve a mission here and now she's spending all her time in her apartment. She feels like her time might not be useful and it sounded like maybe she regretted the timing. His answer was really sweet for all of us. He told us that the Lord will "count" our service as though we had done it in the libraries or offices, as completely as if there had been no interruption. He referenced King Benjamin's address when he talked of the poor who would give if they could, and that they would be blessed as though they had given. I'm sure this is true for all missionaries, as well as all of the members who are enduring through this time. The work is continuing as well or maybe better in some cases. 

I'm grateful to have seen it from both sides.

Our new mission president, Steven Randall, is a wonderful and kind man. We love Sister Randall as well. They are so very different in their approach to the missionaries. I'm grateful to have had even this short time with them. I was asked to give a prayer in the mission conference on Wednesday, and President Randall acknowledged my service and pending release twice during the meeting. I was surprised and grateful for his comments. 

Tomorrow I have to give the zone devotional talk. Our new mission theme is "Hear Him." President & Sister Randall have done many things to bring this theme to our hearts and minds. I'm going to talk about how I hear Him. Months ago right after General Conference we were asked to consider how we hear the Savior. My answer today is the same as it was then: through the Prophet, the Apostles, and other general authorities. The scripture came to my mind clearly that “...whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same.” I am grateful for a living prophet who receives revelation and directs His Church. I know that President Nelson and those who have been called to serve with him are being inspired to give us the direction that the Savior would give if He were here. It becomes my responsibility to listen with an open heart and with the gift of the Holy Ghost telling me it is true. I'm so grateful for their inspired leadership. It’s my testimony that if we read and listen to the words of our prophet and his chosen servants, we can’t fail if we follow their teachings. We can find comfort and strength to our testimonies even in these troubled and unsure times. I know they are called of God and I’m grateful for this way we can all choose to hear Him.

My prayers are with you all!

PS - The Temples hosted a very fun dinner on Friday night. They flew in lobster from Maine so I could experience fresh lobster with them - hence the bibs. 😍 They are wonderful friends.

Week 50

 In my early morning musings today, I realized how much I miss church. Here I am surrounded by THE CHURCH. I'm in the shadows of the iconic temple and tabernacle and conference center, and yet I really miss church. I can study the gospel, I can read my scriptures and the writings of apostles and prophets, and Come Follow Me lessons. I can watch videos and listen to music. All of these things are important and good, but I realized that what I'm missing is the spirit of gathering together to worship. I miss feeling the spirit of others' testimonies. It has been five months since I have been to church and I miss it. I miss going to the temple too and the peaceful spirit there. I'm having to work harder on my own, and I guess I'm realizing how much I have relied on others for my spiritual strength. I'll be so grateful when it's safe to go back to church and the temple and feel the power of worshipping together!

We've been banished from the office again. There's another missionary couple who have COVID and so they're asking us to work from home as much as possible. My apartment seems to be shrinking, but I'm glad that there are things I can still do to keep busy.

By the way, I have decided to continue serving when I get home as a service missionary. I'll still be connected to the Family History Department and will be working with a woman I've known here. She is over all the senior family history missionaries in the world - nearly 6000 of them. I'll be helping her with one of the databases keeping it up to date and accurate, and then also responding to requests for information about family history missions. I'm excited to stay involved and continue serving in this way. 

And now for some fluff. 😍 Sister Burnham is the new mission secretary, and yesterday she hosted a "high tea" for me and another sister who will be leaving this month. It was just for the sisters who work in the office, and we're together a lot anyway. She even had hats for all of us to wear. The food was delicious, and it was really fun to escape for the afternoon.

Week 49

Have you ever felt that your prayers have been answered? I bet you all have! I really felt that this week - especially that prayers were being offered in my behalf. I know that I was praying, not only for myself but for all of you.

I had this dumb thing going on with my foot. I was so proud of myself for being able to walk to work every day and to go out with my friend walking in the evenings. Even though I could feel some pain, I plowed through. Until I couldn't. A serious injury was suspected, but after an MRI on Monday and a doctor visit on Tuesday, they determined that it wasn't the serious injury, but only over-use, wear-and-tear on an already weakened, old foot. What a relief! It could have been so much worse. Now with a few exercises and icing, and limiting my walking for a while, I can recover. Whew!

Then on top of that I had this low-grade fever all week. Of course I suspected the worst, even though I didn't have any other symptoms. I quoting Aunt Geralee to myself - Don't Borrow Trouble! Then after a few days I started getting a mild toothache. Another Whew! Low-grade fever could also mean some kind of infection. So I called my dentist and got right in. He replaced some old fillings that probably had decay under them that could cause an infection and pain. 

Alyssa also wasn't feeling so great, so she and Chad went for a COVID-19 test. We were all worried and praying for them. Thankfully, their tests were negative. Another Whew!

Heavenly Father hears and answers our prayers. We have all felt that this week. I know I have. I've felt it in the sweet assurance and comforting influence of the Holy Ghost. It's not always this apparent and sometimes the answer is no - or not yet. We then learn to exercise our faith and continue to pray for understanding and clearer answers. And keep praying.