This past week was transfer week. On Tuesday, we received 19 new missionaries from the MTC. It is so wonderful to see these "greenies". They are so very excited to have finally arrived at their mission and they are filled with so much excitement and commitment. Tuesday was also the day that I made arrangements for one missionary to return home. I am not sure why he went home. Once more, I reflected on those missionaries coming into the field and the 21 missionaries who were returning home after completing a successful mission. There is no way to say it other than, a mission is hard work! But, it is also the most spiritually rewarding work there is, I believe.
I reflected on one of the AP's, Elder J. who was returning home. I cried when I said good bye to him. He was committed, he worked hard, he was happy, and he was always willing to help. He loved the Lord, his scriptures were literally worn out. He was a great man. I also reflected on Elder C. who decided to quit. His father is the Branch President and his dad just learned that his son was returning home the day before he left. How hard that must be. I worry about that Elder. Will he stay active, will he have a good relationship with himself, his Father in Heaven, his parents and family? As he was leaving my desk I told him that we hold his records in case he decides to return. His response was, "OK". Although I am not his mother, I felt so incredibly sad to see him leave.
On Tuesday, we also had another missionary, brought by his mom and dad, who had gone through the MTC, decided to return home, but later on decided to come back to our mission as a sort of "trial run" on going back into the field. He only lasted one day. Again I say, a mission is hard! I have such a greater appreciation for my own sons, and anyone who with faith, went to the MTC, learned a language, boarded a plane and went into the world and worked hard to fulfill an honorable mission. What a remarkable thing for anyone to do! A mission is hard work, but I think the lessons learned are absolutely invaluable. I am coming to learn what my sons and daughter must have experienced as a missionary. I am so proud of all of them and grateful that they worked hard and endured their challenges. They didn't quit when it was hard.
One of the missionaries who came from the MTC is fast becoming a favorite. Elder S., is from Greenland, speaks Greenlandiac (I believe is the word), is originally from Denmark, so he speaks Danish, as well as English. Oh, did I mention, he also speaks German, Norwegian, and Swedish (they are sort of all alike). He arrived in Ogden to be assigned to a Spanish speaking mission. Wow...incredible to me. I was reading his testimony he sent to the office. He wants to be a merchant marine. He said that about a year and a half ago he felt some need to find a bible and learn of God. He remembered his grandmother telling him to pray to God every day. So he started to do just that. One day he was out walking in a different part of town and two sister missionaries happened upon him and asked how he was feeling about his relationship with God. He shared that he was trying to find God and to find a Bible. They said that they had just the book for him that would help him find his answers. He couldn't believe they would give him the book! Needless to say, he testifies that the book is true, that God is alive and loves him and the reason he is on a mission is that he knows that is what he should be doing.
Besides this happening on transfer day, we had a missionary who had incredible stomach pains who was taken to the hospital. He ended up having his gall bladder removed that same day. Pres. and Sis Olson called every number we could find, but we couldn't locate his parents, so besides having 22 departing missionaries to her house for dinner and a slumber party/testimony meeting that night, Pres. and Sister were also running back and forth to the hospital for this other missionary. The next morning Sister Olson awoke to find the plumbing under her kitchen sink had a whole in it and she had water all over her kitchen. Pres. Olson packed everyone up for the airport while she was left with the kitchen issue.
In addition, in the middle of all of this, another Senior Couple show up unexpectedly to visit with Pres. Olson. It seems they have received their call, they are reporting to the MTC March 7, and then will be assigned to work in the office with the rest of us. Pres. Olson was amazed, as he had just previously spoken with two other couples that wanted the same thing.
As I reflect on this past week, it was once again a busy, busy, week, one that we worked long hours to get all the airplane tickets ready, baggage fees paid, receipts issued, and missionaries checked in with boarding passes, passports, and visas in hand. It was rewarding to send these missionaries home.
As for Elder Lund's job, he was equally busy getting cars repaired from minor fender benders, getting the right cars to the right zones with the right companions, checking in new missionaries to get them ready to drive, showing them a video, getting the records, checking the records, being the van driver of missionaries who are transferring to new areas and districts, and helper to those missionaries trying to fix their bicycles. It seems we go in opposite directions and yet everything that is supposed to happen does.
Once more this week, we have seen Heavenly Father's love. I am learning once again how much the Lord loves not only his missionaries, but each one of us as an individual. I have thought about that painting of Christ standing at the door and knocking. I think it really pertains to each of us. Will we let him into our hearts and lives, or is it just too hard of work to do so?
I am so grateful for these lessons I am learning. Thanks to each of you for your continued support and prayers. We certainly couldn't do it without your help.
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