Family Mission Message June 19, 2013
The days go by so quickly and before we know it a week has gone by once again. We are blessed to be where we are, and learning so much. We marvel at the growth we see in the missionaries and in ourselves. We wish we could contain the impact to store an used again and again. We have fond memories and are so thankful for the sweet influence of the spirit that sustains us.
The observations we make when the transfers come around are that changes are evident and unavoidable. Growth occurs when the missionaries experience a change in their assignments and need to readjust their lives and carry on the best way possible. These are the things that mature them and toughens their spirits to be able to endure through it all and carry on. The day comes when those we work with move on and the need to say goodbye. It is like saying good bye to our children when they have to leave to go away for an extended time and we don’t know when we will see them next. Next week our current mission president and his wife are released and a new president will take over. We will say goodbye with lumps in our throats and tears of joy for having known and loved them. We see the elders and sisters do the same when they are transferred. Their goodbyes are tearful for the bonds of friendship they formed and drew close to those they got acquainted. It is important to live in the moment and do all we can to appreciate the experiences.
This week we learned of the passing of a young mother, (36 years old) in our home ward that used to be my visiting teaching companion before our mission. It was such a shock to not know she was sick and dying. She had been sick some of the time we were companions and so I made sure to go visit our sisters even if she wasn’t available. We developed a friendship during that time anyway and I got to know her a little better through serving her and taking her and her family fresh vegetable from our garden. She could not thank us enough, she appreciated those small acts of giving. She had many talents and worked with her husband and managed his business for him in his entertainment profession up to the day before she passed, even though she felt miserable and weak. She left behind to daughters, 9 and 11. We went to her viewing and gave our respect to her husband and family. I was just grateful to have heard about it on time, through my visiting teachers from the ward when they came the day of the viewing.
