I hope you won't mind if I share two stories tonight. The first is about a phone call I received today. It was about 5:10pm. The office closes at 4:00pm but Elder Lund and I happened to be there. I could hardly understand the man on the other end of the line. I believe he was speaking Spanish. He uttered a few words I knew, "Need a ride" "coming to Ogden". Now you have to understand that there are those individuals that see the "Utah Ogden Mission" and associate it with rescue mission. I tried to explain that all the missionaries were gone, that he could call back tomorrow. Then, I decided to give him one of the APs phone number who spoke Spanish. I figured if anyone could figure out what the problem was and talk to him, it would be Elder B. As I told him to call Elder B. he then said the word "Provo". Then we hung up. Then it dawned on me that he was one of our missionaries that was coming into Utah from who knows where, that it was Tuesday, and the new missionaries from international countries start coming to the MTC today. I was horrified at the thought that I had left a missionary stranded. I called Elder B. back and explained my previous call. He started to laugh and said that everything made sense now to him. He said that the man was indeed coming into our mission, but was on his way to the MTC and needed a ride to Provo. He will most likely be at the MTC for 12 weeks to learn English, so of course, Elder B. didn't recognize his name...he wasn't on the next incoming transfer list. Elder B explained that there were shuttles to go to Provo and told him where to catch it. Elder B. said that he felt good with the missionary being able to get to the MTC. I have marveled all night about how strong a testimony must be, to be traveling around the world, by yourself, just so you can share the gospel and do what Heavenly Father wants you to do. (I have thought about my own sons and what they had to do when they left and traveled around the world.) All I can say, is what strong men!
The second example also happened today. I received a call from a "missionary mother" in Missouri that wanted to get word to her "adopted" missionary son that his vehicle, a Trailblazer, which had been sitting on the street in Missouri, had been hit and totaled by a drunk driver. Come to find out, in speaking with this Elder, this missionary mom was the mother of his ex-girlfriend. It seems he had dated the girl, broken up, but then decided to investigate and join the church. The rest of his family are not members and this "missionary mom" was instrumental in helping him get on a mission. I joked with the Elder that the Lord had solved any car problem he had, that he wouldn't have to worry about it, or the insurance or whatever. Then we started talking about the gospel. Elder G. has such an incredibly strong testimony. He has been a member of the church for less than 3 years and here he is on a mission. Then we started counting and we were able to count about 15 of the strongest missionaries in the mission who have been members less than three years. I am utterly amazed that these strong men have such incredible testimonies to leave their families, possessions, and loved ones and travel, in many cases, half way around the world. As Elder G. explained, once I understood that Heavenly Father knows me and loves me, how could I not serve him? These missionaries are so much stronger than I could ever be. It also gives me a different perspective on how much missionaries, and our own children, sacrificed to be missionaries.
By the way, on the TV they just stated that there have been 150 million copies that have now been printed, in 107 different languages. Not bad for 181 years. How many have you shared with others lately?
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