Here We Are!

Things are crazy busy still.  Lots of housing work for evacuees and preparing for apartment remodels means many meetings.  Also meeting with new missionaries that are off schedule means getting behind in paperwork and recording. I have stayed late at work and went in Saturday for several hours.  I am so glad I did.  I caught up on my March and April  housing records.  

We have had amazing talks at Sacrament and devotionals.  The missionaries here are so smart and with lots of interesting experiences.  Their testimonies are firm and intense.  I love serving with them and listening to their stories.  Today a sister talked about her husband’s suicide and how she was in a bubble of protection and comfort during the time she was with his body.  Sis Gordon told me about having cancer and radiation treatments.  The treatments caused her throat and tongue muscles to swell and be damaged.  She was not able to talk for 4 years!  They came on their mission and she got more help. Eventually  she could take.  They believe she is talking now because they trusted the Lord when they were impressed to serve.  There are many widows here.  Some never thought they would serve a mission alone but were urged by the Spirit to push themselves.  I have learned, and I think this is typical, that missions push us out of our comfort zones and stretch us beyond how we saw ourselves.  My mission, and Ed’s, have done that and then some.  I don’t always like it.  Sometimes it is rewarding though.  One couple who just received their call were quite anxious about how to prepare and what to bring.  I told them that I was going to answer all their questions and give them lots of information so that they would sleep peacefully tonight.  At the end of our conversation the Sister said she felt like a new person.  They could now prepare what was needed and not worry about anything else.  Another said it helped to be able to talk through her concerns and work out how to move forward.  Sometimes people ask things that make me wonder if they realize they are coming on a mission.  They ask if they can bring their own bed, 2 cars or their dog.  Some want to know how many hours they will be expected to work.  Some have little experience or comfort with computers.  When I tell them that every missionary here works on computers they go silent.  They are really worried about not being able top serve here.  I tell them what I have learned here.  Everyone can contribute, everyone will learn and grow.  Many Sisters and Elders tell how impressed their families are with their acquired computer and technical skills Also, the assignments are usually of a repetitive nature and they will do the same kind of things everyday so it becomes easier.   Most importantly and truthfully, everyone helps everyone and no one is judging.  Everyone here is trying to learn in order to serve.  There’s nothing like being on a mission.