Missionary – Page 11 – Letters from Home

Sure things

There is nothing unique about my experience during this past week of cancellations due to COVID-19. I have watched my email folder fill up with messages from schools and church and made necessary adaptations. The boys are home, except when they go out to work or walk. My life stays largely the same, including my level of fear. During most of my adult life, I have regularly expected to catch each illness, die of sepsis from an abscessed tooth, or choke to death all alone… if a car accident didn’t take me first. I have similar fears for each family member. In other words, welcome to my world, world. The real weight of this time for me rests in the reality that Daniel is thousands of miles away, on another continent.

A few sure things to which I cling:

Our Father in Heaven knows where we are and exactly what we need.

Our Savior Jesus Christ knows the depth and breadth of our feeling.

The Father’s plan is never frustrated.

Angels minister to us.

The Holy Ghost never misspeaks or offends. He brings comfort, power, and direction. What an amazing friend and companion.

The Book of Mormon is dear and true. It has helped me through every challenge, my whole life, and it continues to help me now.

No one is unique in their struggles, and my struggles are not more valid than yours. But Sure Beings and the true things carry every one of us through, whether we have eyes to see or not. This I know.

Some Things I Love

I finished assembling the quilt top, thanks to the gift of an extra day.

Tim broke the family speed record for skiing. I wish I didn’t know this.

After 11 years of searching, then waiting for a sale, I bought a piano lamp.

Richard and I spent about 5 hours preparing French food yesterday, and it was really disappointing how awful it tasted. Ours actually looked like this photo. pc: tablespoon.com

This week, as I ran errands and shopped, I was asked a few times if I was planning to do something fun. Yes! We celebrated Richard’s birthday with food, food, presents, food, and desserts. At Costco, someone asked if the next big birthday was the big 4-0, and since the scales have tipped toward 50 for me, this miscalculation has embedded itself in my heart and grown into many private smiles. I love celebrations with family, the preparation, anticipation, and the memories.

And, if you want to see Paige’s 8 beautiful paintings inspired by The Secret Garden, her show is coming up soon. I love seeing Paige’s illustrations.

As for the Daniel, he had the opportunity to meet Elder Uchtdorf and shake his hand last week, and he was invited to share his testimony in Stake conference. He is moving to a new apartment that has hot water. He has been busy assembling emergency kits for each companionship in the mission. With summer holidays coming to an end, they expect more protests and violence in his area, but the kits are more in preparation for earthquakes. He is teaching Rosa and others with his companion who is from Canada. I had my first bad dream about his safety, and I can’t hear The Prayer (Bring Him Home from Les Miserables) or Danny Boy without tears. Still, I love being part of a missionary family.

One thing I do for my calling at church is teach Primary children during ward conferences. I made this visual aid for last Sunday to teach about Isaiah’s “Mountain of the Lord’s House” and it was a lot of work, but the kids really loved the doors and windows. They also loved talking about how temples are like mountains, places to feel peace, quiet, and see beauty and light. I also loved the comment about mountains being places of adventure. I think learning of God’s ways is one of the great adventures of life. I love what I learn as I serve in Primary.

Thoughts on a Snow Day

The snow day, and its limitations and opportunities, has brought out different things in each of us. I pull into my familiar routines of comfort, warmth, and words. Richard makes gallant efforts every few hours to push the next 8-12″ off the driveway since the last pass. Tim has been gone since 5:45, earning money shoveling snow. Mark, feeling caged and frustrated, made toffee, then a gourmet lunch, and settled in for an afternoon of television. Whenever he surfaces, it is to complain how snow days seem like they will be great until they happen. Tim is driving our best snow vehicle, but we have no plans to go anywhere in this weather. I just watched the mail carrier’s truck fishtail out of the circle, despite chains on his wheels. No mail today. When storms like this come, it is often 24 hours before the plows can reach our home. 18″ of snow fell today. I will feel better when Tim makes it safely back to the driveway. I will make warm, starchy comfort food and keep alternating between two delicious books.

We had a video call with Daniel today, in a new area with a friend assigned as his new companion. Challenges include crime, no hot water, very high temperatures and no wind, and an empty area book. He smiles and smiles while telling me this, and I know he’s having the best time.

This is God’s Work, not Ours

There have been baptisms that took place on Daniel’s mission that he never told us about, and sometimes we piece together that he is a leader or training someone. He sent home a memory card of photos and we learned all kinds of things. He is not trying to be a tourist missionary, always remarking on the novelty of the people. I am glad of that. Some photos, such as this one, really grab my attention. He shared this photo with me to send to friends this week, and I have had more responses to this image than any other message he has shared.

He wrote,

“In these last few weeks it’s been made very clear that this is God’s work, not ours, and that there are people prepared to receive the gospel.

‘For there are many yet on the earth among all sects, parties, and denominations … who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it. Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed’ (D&C 123:12,17).

‘For behold, I am God; and I am a God of miracles; and I will show unto the world that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and I work not among the children of men save it be according to their faith.'” (2 Nephi 27:23)

Elder Ross

Testimony

I didn’t realize this is how grown up our family looks. I’ve had lots of moments to reflect on life and our Heavenly Father’s plan of happiness in the past few weeks. This picture (even the absence of our adored missionary) represents all that the Savior has given us: absolutely everything that brings us joy. Here are just a few things this photo represents to me, made possible by our Savior:

repentance and forgiveness

the Gospel of Jesus Christ

covenants and ordinances

marriage

sacrifice

missionary work

miracles of healing and understanding

children

hope

testimony

faith in Christ

obedience to commandments

the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

patience

love

Biggest Week So Far

Paige and Michael were married on December 27 in the Salt Lake Temple. Photo by Rachel Angela Photography

Richard and I came away from Paige’s wedding day without a single picture, which tells you what a great time we had. We will post more another day. These are snapshots from family and friends who have taken the time to share with us. Thank you!

Leading up to the wedding, we had a big week, including Timothy’s 17th birthday and Christmas, and a hundred other interactions and lots of music. We saw Star Wars and decorated candy houses, turned in two Eagle Scout applications, and finalized special gifts. I am very happy.

Timothy’s birthday included two trips to Star Wars and gingerbread houses.

My favorite photo from the Sanchez family Christmas pageant

Joy, December 21

And the Lord provided for them that they should hunger not, neither should they thirst; yea, and he also gave them strength, that they should suffer no manner of afflictions, save it were swallowed up in the joy of Christ. Now this was according to the prayer of Alma; and this because he prayed in faith.
Alma 31:38

Thinking of our son today…and every day, hoping that his difficulties are covered by the joy of his message.

Joy, December 18

And how great is his joy in the soul that repenteth! Wherefore, you are called to cry repentance unto this people. And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father! And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me.
D&C 18:13-16

I am not aware of a single person who has come unto God because of something I taught. But I like this scripture passage because it reminds me it’s not about the tally. It’s about the value God places on each child. When we are talking about souls, we are talking about infinitely valuable children of God. There is no adding infinity plus infinity. So one soul or a hundred souls, it’s still infinitely valuable work.

I like to picture what the joy of our Father in Heaven looks like because one of his children chose to come to Him. It might look a little like those parents at the airport welcoming their children home from missions. I weep when I see that kind of joy. I believe our abundant and generous Heavenly Father’s joy is contagious. It will be a joyful, joyful reunion someday.

Latest update from Chile

Dear Parent(s):
The security situation in Chile became more widespread over the weekend, but it was much less volatile this morning. Santiago is the epicenter of the protests, but they have been reported nationwide. The government rescinded the transit fare increase that triggered the demonstrations, but protests continue.
All of our missionaries are safely in their apartments for the evening and are accounted for. They spent the day gathering extra food and water, preparing an emergency bag, and communicating with their families. If for some reason your missionary was unable to communicate with you today, please be assured— your son or daughter is safe and accounted for. I have relocated several missionaries to lower-risk areas over the past few days and continue to monitor their safety round the clock. I am in direct contact with each of our nine stake presidents who have organized their members to provide extra food and support. They love our missionaries and are caring for them as their own sons and daughters. I am also in regular communication with our area security team, our area presidency, the Missionary Department, and the other three mission presidents here in Santiago. We feel the Lord’s hand guiding us as we counsel together.
Most importantly, I am in regular communication with all of our missionaries throughout the day by phone and text.
Last night I was able to speak with all 185 of our missionaries on a conference call. We sang a hymn together and had a kneeling prayer as a mission. We felt peace and assurance that the Lord is watching over us.
Sister Mitchell and I have appreciated your e-mail responses and words of encouragement. Unfortunately, I am unable to respond to you individually, but we appreciate your prayers and support.
May the Lord bless you,
J A S O N J . M I T C H E L L
Mission President | Chile Santiago West Mission
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

From Daniel:

I’m doing fine. We’re in a calm part of the city out in the edges where everyone is more or less well-off and we have basically a moat and three bridges where bad guys could get in. The neighborhood got together and had guards in all the entrances and patrols in the streets. Nearby neighborhoods are taking similar precautions. The lady in the nearby store is our friend and says we can pass by at any hour to get food or water if things get more complicated. We live 2 houses down from a nice member family. All is well. We’re praying for a quick, peaceful resolution to the disturbances. I think it will be a good opportunity for teaching once we’re allowed back out…people will always be able to receive comfort from the gospel.
I’m safe, the Lord protects His missionaries. Pray for the people,
pray for peace.
ELDER ROSS

We are not overly concerned or losing sleep about this, and it’s likely that things will continue to wind down. But I want to remember that this is something we prayed about in October 2019.

Category: Missionary