We were called to serve 18 months in Europe and we have done that! We took great comfort from our Stake President's blessing in our setting apart as missionaries when we were promised that we would be able to finish our mission. In August of 2019, in our pre-pandemic world, we thought that promise meant that even though I had just been diagnosed with prostate cancer, we would be able to finish our mission from a health perspective.
Eight months ago we decided to extend our mission another four months to July 2nd. So, from this scenic overlook in time, I find myself looking back over the last 18 months and pondering what we have experienced so far. Not only have we finished our original term of service, but we still have enough gas in the tank to make it to July.
What a journey this has been. Even before the pandemic happened, we had experienced so many profound spiritual experiences and miracles. Then one year ago today, everything changed when almost all of the other senior missionaries were evacuated back to the U.S.A. For a year now, we have lived in Germany and weathered all the ups and downs of COVID-19. While not being able to travel freely to other surrounding countries or see Will & Val and the boys in London over Christmas, we have been spiritually, emotionally and physically strengthened by the Lord.
My work as an Area Mental Health Advisor has been very busy for the last 18 months. When I opened my office file cabinet today, I was struck with the number of missionaries I have met with so far. Every file represents a missionary. The files on the right side are the cases that are closed, meaning that the missionary was able to work through their challenges and continue on their mission. (hundreds of missionaries). On the left side are files of missionaries that needed to end their missions early due to medical or mental health concerns and files of missionaries I am working with actively. Every day, I interact with multiple mission presidents and their wives about their missionaries and how we can help them succeed.
Once the pandemic hit and the impact to our 3,000+ missionaries being quarantined became evident, I started doing mission-wide firesides to give them tools to not just survive but thrive. Using Zoom, I have met with many of the European missions. In the 31 firesides I have done so far, they often involve a PowerPoint presentation I've prepared and a question and answer session. Each fireside lasts anywhere from 90 minutes to two hours. Firesides are very energizing as I can see the wonderful, faithful faces of our fine missionaries. They serve from all over the world, from all continents. Some of my firesides are translated into the mission language and have an interpreter to translate for me. My faith grows with each fireside as I see their courage and feel their love of the Savior.
Joanne and I thank God every night for the privilege it is to be serving our mission. We believe our children and grandchildren are receiving blessings from our service. We hope we are examples to them of loving the Lord and wanting to serve His children. We have felt the power of sustaining prayers of our family and friends and we love and miss them so much. We have a precious four months left in our mission and we look forward to what lies ahead in our journey.
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