I answer the same questions again and again about our missionary, and find comfort in people asking. Yes, Tim is doing well, and he remains in Canada for an indefinite time. He doesn’t write each week, but we video chat every preparation day.
We were able to see Tim speak in stake conference via YouTube. He and the other elders in his apartment made a video and showed it as part of his presentation. It made me smile even bigger than his mission leaders, seated behind him, to see him at work as a missionary.
It is a formula that works, to visit Marysvale each summer. This year, we visited for a couple days during Spring Break. Many trails were still covered in snow, but we discovered a new waterfall and had adventures all the same.
Tim is stretching as a Tagalog language missionary in North Shore Vancouver. His companion is fluent in Tagalog, as he was born in the Philippines, but moved to Canada many years ago. Tim is using his piano and organ skills in choir, sacrament meeting, and Primary. He lives in a basement apartment in the stake president’s home. I try to keep track of those who take good care of the missionaries, and in this area, the Oro family really stands out. I am thankful for them! He goes into the city often because that is where they can find Filipinos, and there is a lot of driving involved. Also, they are trying to get to know the members, as both elders are new in the area. They teach a weekly English class which they are trying to get more people to attend. On Preparation Days, he visits gorgeous places, plays volleyball, does laundry, and calls home.
There is a missionary mom on Tim’s mission Facebook page who sends out a reminder message every Monday, “Mamas, charge up your phones!” because that is the day we get to talk. Lately, we talk for a long time.
Some things that I admire about Elder Ross as a missionary:
I want to remember this day of health, warmth, light, work, and family. It was a long winter for me, and a worrisome season. There are moments in life that you can’t predict or arrange, whose simple power is that they can soften stings and weariness. These few hours of work with my parents, Richard, and Mark are Spring Lake made me almost laugh at my burdens of the past few months. “Was THAT all you were carrying?” the sunlight and snowdrops* helped me to see. “Look around and feel better!” I stayed in the light and felt warm after months of battling the shivers.
*Snowdrop flowers rightfully symbolize empathy and consolation.
The school district has scheduled many remote learning Fridays due to Covid, and there isn’t much for Mark to do on these days. Richard and Mark have used the time to ski. I think that in this less than ideal situation, it’s an excellent solution to the dilemma of how to cut down on screen time. They come home good pals, and then we get takeout for dinner. Good times.
These guys took a quick trip to St George to install some seat covers, eat some good food, and enjoy the great company of Richard’s parents and family.
Another remote learning day. I hear a chipmunk voice as Mark rushes through a recorded lecture at 2x the speed. Routines are interrupted and even Richard and I had a slow morning. We keep one another moving and upbeat as schedules turn malleable as dough.
I take part in very different experiences depending on how much news I allow into my head. Again and again through this pandemic, I find a great contrast in our personal experiences compared to the picture painted by other voices. I don’t deny the real suffering going on, but I don’t have to open the door and invite it in all the time. I don’t think our minds are equipped to handle the amount of information in the constant news cycle.
We definitely don’t go out as much. We are blessed with pretty good internet and a home with lots of space. Richard still works from home in the basement office. I am mentally preparing for remote learning for Mark as case numbers rise. The pandemic continues to push us home, and I am doing what I can to make it pleasant. Without question, we are profoundly blessed.
What a full weekend we have had. Tim was set apart on Sunday as a missionary and we invited his two best friends to join us. I attended several Primary programs in addition to our sacrament meeting where Tim spoke. One Primary sang I Hope they Call Me on a Mission, and I was glad I was wearing a mask/tear catcher as those children suddenly reminded me of Tim at their age. He sang a solo once in a Primary program. He doesn’t remember singing this solo, but his clear voice is a vivid memory for me, 🎵An angel came to Joseph Smith, and from the ground he took a sacred record hidden there, a precious, holy book.🎶
He will train from home for two weeks and enter the Provo MTC on December 1. His target date to fly to Guam is December 29, but like you, we have been trained to be really flexible and prepared for things to shift.