>
>
> Hello family,
>
> I know dad/Nels or President, is great at writing and has written numerous letters but I on the other hand literally have not had a spare minute to write. I am still not unpacked or have not set up my desk. Plus I have been so exhausted and wiped out by the end of the day I can hardly move. I wish I had time to read the letters dad/Nels has sent so I don't bother you with the same stories but here are a few impressions I have had since we arrived 12 days ago. First let me express my love and appreciation for each of you. I love you so and am grateful for your love and support. We could have not done this without you and all you have done for us. Forgive me for not sending out a personal thank you notes. Please let this suffice. Each of you know all that you have done and are doing for us. Thank you so much. We love and miss you but are doing great and are so happy to be out here engaged in the Lord's work. I love being a missionary so much.
>
> First, OK, you know how I said I could not wait to get to the mission because it could not possibly be MORE BUSY than things were at the time....well I have been proven wrong. We get up at 4:30-6:00 and race around til it is time to go to bed. It is kind of like ground hogs day every day. We get up, and then it is time to lay our heads down and we can't recount what we did that day...it is tough, this getting old thing.Time seems to fly at an alarming pace. At this rate we will be home tomorrow.
>
> I want to tell you about a few people first. Elder S.. He is from Taiwan but mostly raised in the States. His parents are very accomplished as is the whole family. I happened to have met Elder S. in the MTC. He has been in the field only two months but you should see him at Church with the members of the Chinese Branch. He moves about them with ease. He is as happy and comfortable among them as if he has lived with them his whole life. They love him as well. He works so hard each day 7 days a week, 8 a.m. to 9 a.p.m. and is a devoted and kind missionary. He looks like he is 13 and very handsome. He is always impeccably groomed and has a sweet, peaceful nature about him. We received an email this past week from his mother who is a Patent Lawyer. She wrote to tell us they have discovered she has a type of Leukemia that will require much treatment including chemo. and would we please tell her son in a way that he would not be alarmed or worry too much. He is the youngest son and according to this good Elder, " I won't lie, I think my mom and I are the closest of all the kids". We found him at church. He was racing in with his companion, happy and cheerful. I told him Pres. wanted a word with him and he said "Ohh ohhh" I assured him he had done nothing wrong we just needed to speak with him. I could tell he was worried but they had to run off to pick up some investigators with one of the members as missionaries are not allowed to drive members in their car. Church policy and a good policy it is.
>
> In the meantime we spoke with a couple visiting from SL, in the hallway by the name of Mansell, I think it was, who were there for a wedding of one of their former missionaries. They were also meeting one of their former sister missionaries who had recently been married in Montreal. They currently reside in Clint and Diane's ward and spoke so highly of them and their family. It was wonderful to meet them. They were hot off the" mission President and his wife" thing for three years. Six days prior to our meeting, they were released from and had completed their three years of service in the Washington D.C. area. They were so wonderful and gave us some valuable counsel. Funny though, as we were talking about the schedule of missionaries coming and going...he kept talking about what they served and how it was prepared, I soon learned that the President did all the cooking. Not the baking but all the cooking. That is so awesome, I think we should adapt that in our mission....or maybe not....as Nelson would make SPAM burgers. Actually, the missionaries would probably LOVE them. We will give it try.
>
> Back to my story. We did not know but Elder S. was supposed to translate in sacrament meeting. In these small wards and branches, our Missionaries do everything from lead music, play the piano, give talks. bless and pass the sacrament, greet folks at the door, give blessings, teach the gospel. give service each week to any and all who need it, fill in as Home Teachers and so much more. They are so wonderful. We grabbed him before the meeting and went into a classroom. We gathered three chairs together knee to knee and Nels told him of his mom's email. His initial response was to gasp out loud and then the tears welled up in his eyes. He looked so worried. He sat quietly and listened intently as we told him of the situation. We told him we would all pray for his mom, and that it was very hopeful as they caught it early. He asked a few more questions. Dad gave him his handkerchief and said"keep it", that is one thing I love about dad is that he always has a handkerchief in his pocket that I know I can always use. Dad stayed strong throughout the conversation, I must say I had to jump up and give Elder S. a hug when he teared up in the beginning and I teared up with him. I tried so hard so remain strong for him but I felt his pain so keenly. He asked if he should share this with his companions and ward and told him to do whatever he felt he should do but encouraged him that others would help him carry this load and share in his burden. Everyone of the missionaries in his zone and folks in his ward would pray for his mom if he let them know. I think he will. He exhibited a quiet dignity, strength and great faith. As we stood up, he asked if he looked as if he had been crying and I said no. He turned and walked out resolved and ready to work. He did not skip a beat but went straight to his investigators to see to their needs. I tried to say goodbye after church but he was busy chatting with his visitors. What a great young man he is. I know our loving Heavenly Father will bless and strengthen him. He knows Elder S. and his family and knows of their needs. He loves them will bless them according to His will and in His time. That is how it should be.
>
> It is a privilege and honor to be working with these valiant missionaries. I love every single one of them. Each of them has an amazing tale to tell. A story of their conversion. A commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ and His ways. I am grateful every day for their devotion and dedication to our Father in Heaven and His work here on the earth and in particular here in Quebec. We have also been blessed with the most competent and remarkable, devoted, faithful senior missionaries. They are those who keep the mission running. They give up a year and a half to two years of their lives. They sell their homes, save their money and come out here to serve. They are selfless and there is no way this mission could work as it does without them. They take care of all of the details from running our mission office, to taking care of the cars, cell phones. baptisms for all of the missionaries and so much more. They are the glue that keeps us together and running. Oh how wonderful they are.
>
> We have seen Quebec city, Ottowa and bits of Montreal. It is all beautiful and so lush and green. It reminds me of Wisconsin, Missouri and much of Chicago rolled into one while throwing in a very European, Asian, Latin American, French, English accent. I tell you I have never lived in a community of people who are represented by so many nations of the world. I can't even recount the different cultures that are represented out here. It is embarrassing as I don't even know where some of these places are. I have to study my world map for sure. It is so much fun. I love these people. This is the true melting pot of the world. I thought it was Chicago or New York but after having spent time in both places, Montreal wins. SO fun!
>
> Enough for today. We are due to meet with out office staff and our A.P.'s which stands for assistants to the president. They are Elders Pearson and Sorensen. Elder Pearson will be leaving us in 5 weeks or so. I can't imagine how we would have managed had it not been for these two young men. They basically have led us around and taught us every day since we arrived. The are competent, obedient, good, happy, loyal, trustworthy, and full of the Spirit of the God. They will always be very special to us as our first contacts and trainers here in the mission. We could not have asked for better assistants who do so much for us and the mission.
>
> I love you all so much. I miss you and know that we are doing our best out here. We are working hard for many reasons, we love the Lord, we know this is the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ but one other reason is that an Apostle of God, Elder Boyd K. Packer pronounced an apostolic blessing on us that based on our righteous service, and as we work with all our might, mind and strength, that our children, our children's children and our children's children's children and our parents would be blessed. But he said not only that, but that the Lord would bless our extended families, our brothers and sisters, and their families and specifically our nieces and nephews. I love each of you. Know we pray for you as well, as we know you pray for us. I pray Heavenly Father will take care of and bless each of you every day.
>
> much love, love love,
>
> mom, Shir
No comments:
Post a Comment