Missionaries on the Move - and The Upcoming Holy Week

 We were up bright and early to take our car to the sisters' flat.  They needed it until noon.  We walked home -- great exercise!  We walked back to retrieve it when they were finished with it.  

There were three there until a fourth one arrived.  When the fourth one arrived, we took two away.  One we delivered to her new assignment in a new area.  Her companion arrived with another senior couple shortly thereafter.  The other sister - went home today to her own country and home.  She is a beautiful young woman who always seemed cheerful.  We don't know why exactly she went home after only 2 months of serving, Dave said that she was determined to go, that this wasn't what she expected.

We talked with her most of the way to London, never broaching the topic of her leaving. I felt a sense of melancholy for her.  I see how these young people have grown up over the course of their missions, and hear how they testify how hard it was but how wonderful at the same time.  They have learned so much about the gospel, about the Savior, about other people.  I wish she could have had that.  

But this is a rough time to serve a mission.  I try to remind these young people that it is hard, but it is historic, and they will have stories to tell that other missionaries won't have.

Will you please keep Elder Day in your prayers?  He has autism and we love him, and he is here in the mission field despite overwhelming challenges in his life.  He has just had a change of companions and I pray that they will be a strength to each other.  

We were in our car for about six hours today....a fairly decent day.  We had three different destinations, and we saw some beautiful country with trees exploding in blossoms.  I am guessing that in a couple more weeks, the trees will be decked out in green once again.  Dave, and three other senior men were on the road more than 8 hours each today delivering missionaries to new assignments.  It is tiring, even for the passenger!  Deb and the other women manned (haha) the office serving as coordinators to the missionary master moving schedule.  

It wears me out to think about.  What a job!

On another note, I am so excited about the week starting out March 27 (Saturday) when Thomas Kofod will be the Saturday night speaker.  He will begin everything by sharing his experiences when he portrayed Christ about 20 years ago.  On Sunday, we will fast as a mission.  Then on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, while obeying the country's regulations regarding Covid, a third of the mission will assemble in Hyde Park Chapel each of those days to be richly trained and inspired.  We will watch "The Lamb of God together. I am guessing that Dave has all kinds of incredible things planned for each of those days, including a magnificent lunch that no doubt, Deb has well under control.

It will be a wonderful way to work up to Easter and General Conference, and a marvelous gift to all these young missionaries who have been so steadfast throughout this last year of COVID and lockdown.  

Comments

melissa said…
I’m so excited for you to be out and about with people!!!
March 21, 2021 at 10:10 PM
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