Happy Thanksgiving! On this Thanksgiving day we sit here pondering our many blessings. This new adventure is such a blessing but is stretching us in so many ways. Once we work through the home sickness for our children and grandchildren, I believe we can embrace the joy of serving. The pace of this learning cure does keep us so busy that we don’t have a lot of time to miss the family. We are , it seems, in another universe as we are meeting new people every day, and learning unfamiliar tasks.
After we arrived on Saturday the 15th we switched our gears into fast forward . We unpacked and dropped into bed, then attended church at 11:00 Sunday morning. As missionaries, we were to greet people and introduce ourselves. The ward was warm and friendly, and I had a difficult time remembering anyone's name. It was such a strange feeling. Yet, this badge gave me an urgent sense to reach out to everyone. Since the Jensens were going home on Thanksgiving Day, there were 14 of us (full time missionaries) who practiced and sang at their farewell talks this past Sunday.
But we really hit the pavement running Monday morning. Sister Jensen is an amazing and energetic personality who has been with the mission from it's beginning 17 months ago. She is committed to speak only positive things, and she reaches out to so many. She is also very tenderhearted friendly with everyone. Brother Jensen is a man who will do anything for anyone. His laid-back personality lets a person know that he is the most important person in the world. This couple loved their missions and do not want to go home. They have spend the past week and a half trying to teach us the many many things they’ve learned about and done with missionary housing. And, in their spare time they have taught a few converts, and truly served and cared for many who are hurting. from life’s struggles.
We arrange for and set up all missionary housing. When an area is closed by the president, we close it down and removed all the furnishings. We buy all the furniture, utensils, vacuum, cleaning products, etc. We have a truck that pulls an enclosed trailer to transport our apartment “kits. The goal is to standardize all apartments with the same items so the missionaries can live comfortably and simply.
Tuesday, we left at 7:00 am for a 5-hour drive and headed to Bishop to close one apartment and open another. We met four missionaries, plus a senior couple who helps us with housing in that area. They invited us, the Elders and Sisters missionaries to their home for lunch. Then we all went to close the apartment that the Elders lived in. The young Elders thought they'd cleaned and packed for the move, but oh my, their definition of clean varied from ours. The apartment was old and quite disgusting. Members give the missionaries their old couches, tables, and dressers, and over time, missionaries accumulate a lot of “stuff.” The sister missionaries were so helpful both at moving and cleaning. So, there were eight of us moving stuff out, sorting and taking the useable items to the new apartment, and cleaning the old apartment so the owner could come for a walkthrough and close it.
Each missionary has his/her own story. One cute Elder had just been here three weeks. He came from a violent city with unhealthy parents. He wasn’t sent to the MTC., but came straight to the mission. Wow! That had to be hard. He said he almost returned home that first week. When I asked him what kept him here he said he “prayed really, really, really hard. “ He hasn’t one Mormon friend back home, but he has a strong testimony of the gospel.
When the missionaries help with these rigorous moves (whether in or out), we like to take them out to lunch. One new experience for me, as we eat most of our meals out as we travel, is that Elder and Sister Jensen and all the missionaries, pray over their meals out loud in the restaurants. I've always said a silent prayer, but this is the first I’ve visibly prayed in a restaurant.
We left and headed up to Mammoth, about 2-1/2 hrs. further to take the Elders an iron and a few other needed items. The four elders who live there are pretty isolated in that resort town, and were thrilled to see us. We could see they were hoping we would take them to dinner-so we did. What cute and dynamic guys. Two Elders are English speaking and two are Spanish speaking. It is difficult to teach there because the population is vacationing, and the workers can't attend church. But they are positive and work hard.
We headed back to Bishop, spent the night, then closed an apartment in Lone Pine the next day. That place has been occupied for a few years, and so much had been accumulated, that the Spanish speaking elders offered the extra furniture and clothing to a woman passing by. Within minutes we had a eight women combing the “free garage cell,” asking us what things they could take. It was actually quite fun.
By Thursday evening we were exhausted. We’d purchased and moved for hours, cleaned and taken things to Good will . . and I had a wave of missing the family. I wasn’t sure I could do this. I too, prayed “really really really hard” for the strength to do what needed to be done. Mike and I realized we had not had time to move in, or make our apartment a home, so we took a few hours to hang pictures, purchase needed items, and settle into our new place. Friday morning I felt human again. Luckily, Saturday we were able to make a three hour drive to see our grand daughter, Reese, in a play
This week has also been packed. We love the missionaries we been able to get to know. There is so much to learn; but, our trainers have done a fabulous job setting up a system that I’m sure will help us as we move forward. They are on their way home today and we have the keys to move forward. Even though Mike and I have both sent missionaries (seven, combined) from our families, we had no idea how much effort and expense is put out by volunteers and the church, to help these young men and young women be successful in their work in the “Lord’s University.”
We are so grateful this Thanksgiving Day and always, that we have this opportunity to work with and get to know these incredible young people, who, like most of us, are trying to figure out how they can best serve our Father in Heaven as they reach out to bring others unto Christ, our Lord and Savior. We are mindful that all good things come from Him, who gave us life.
And we are so grateful for you, our friends and loved ones, who love and support us in our efforts. May the Lord continue to bless you!
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