Life

Events happen very quickly and intensely here in the mission. Chrise and I grow very attached to the young elders and sisters only to have to say goodbye to them. Yesterday an elder and sister, both whom Chrise and I had become very close to, went home for medical reasons. They were both very close to the end of their missions, but still it hurt to see them go and lose those last few weeks with them. These young elders and sisters with whom we share this brief mission life are a great inspiration to us, so full of goodness and the joy of life and love of the Gospel. The Mission President asked me to speak to them at the multi zone conferences this week. I felt moved to tell them what I saw when I looked into their faces and quoted the following scripture:

14  And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?
Alma 5:13-14

I see the image of my Savior in their countenances. I think part of our feelings for them are in the way they treat us. Far from home and often homesick, I think they look on as memories or as kind of surrogate parents or grandparents. They always treat us like royalty and make us feel very welcome.

Tuesday Chrise and I shared a wonderful experience with the elders and sisters of our zone. They asked us to sing with their choir. We sang “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing”. They asked Chrise to be the chorister. Standing amongst those young people and feeling their spirit and love of the gospel as they sang moved me to tears. I couldn’t continue singing (probably a good thing) and listened, savoring a brief moment in our mission life.