A Separated Peace

Like responsible citizens across the country, we are

learning a new cadence for living daily lives.

Rampant virus has created havoc in our lives

and caused premature separation from many loved

and admired young missionaries, sent home to avoid

unnecessary risk here in New England, or as 

'21 month Elders'. With more quiet time working from 

the apartment, and with the sadness of losing 

these associations, I admit that fear and disquiet crept in. 

One antidote has been to (safely) walk outside. 

Yesterday, Vince and I wandered the quarter mile toward 

St. Anselm College. Sponsored by a different religion, 

its statuary and abandoned quiet have helped me find 

the "peace" to "be still." Above, periwinkle crocus were spied 

along a secluded path. Below, cheery buds appear

near the vacant on-campus student housing . . .

. . . and even the regular, New England style dorms

helped me breath in and out with improved calmness.

Following our afternoon walk, we returned to relish words

from our living Prophet, President Nelson, who suggested

we should "look to the Savior for peace and comfort". 

His introduction of the new symbol of the Church, 

the graphic representation of the Thorvaldsen Christus

also was helpful in lifting my spirit, for I know my Savior lives.

Despite widespread concerns, my lamp continues to be

filled with fun interactions. Elder Alex Johnson's

birthday fell on April 1st, and we planned ahead enough 

to have commercially-prepared baked treats delivered, 

and exactly on time. When he called to say "thank you",

I asked if he would take a selfie with companion 

Elder Elzinga, so I could share it with his parents.

For the balance of this post, I will share some of the beautiful 

countenances of the nearly three dozen Elders and Sisters 

who left earlier, or who will be departing on time this Friday.

(NOTE: the expected incoming 12 young 

missionaries have been delayed until further notice.)

Regular pattern for departures would have them preparing

and delivering their "Golden Truth" - essential lesson(s)

learned - to congregations of their fellows. Instead, these

will be included ONLY as written messages in 

the next mission newsletter. I distill those "truths" here.

* * * * *

Sister Drollinger: through the Atonement, I can overcome 

the things that hold me back.

Elder Rice: quoting Pres. Beck "Don't forget - this isn't

YOUR mission, it's the LORD's."

Sister Ward: we can be strong and function normally without

the Lord as the Lamanites did, but we can't WIN without

the Lord on our side.

Sister Chesley: on the need for regular repentance 

"instead of thinking poorly of yourself [for needing it],

think highly of the Lord [for offering it].

Elder Kingston: Heavenly Father puts us in the places where 

we need to be at the time we need to be there.

Sister Nye: at difficult times, we should rejoice that we are

counted worthy to suffer for His name like Peter and John.

Sister VanWagoner: once I could see when Christ was with me

in the past, seeing his presence in the moment became easier.

Sister Bell: we have many tools to defeat the Adversary,

particularly each other and our shared caring.

Sister Foote: as we do all we can, Christ will make up the rest.

Sister Rumsey: recognizing Heavenly Father's great love

in sending Jesus shows He has faith in our existence, 

even when we don't feel faith in ourselves.

Elder White: I have felt the Lord changing and polishing me.

Elder Ellsworth: quoting a song - "your life is not falling apart,

it is falling into place."

Elder Sessions: no matter what you teach, you always need

to show that you yourself know it is true.

Elder Burger: grace is what allows disciples of Christ

to endure all things.

Elder Hemstreet: "he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it."

Elder Mortensen: "dispute not because ye see not, for

ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith."

Elder Stuart: fight the good fight; be armed with

knowledge and determination.

Sister Raccuia: we will always need the Savior to make up

the difference.

Sister Hernandez: remembering my Purpose was what 

allowed me to endure joyfully.

Sister Romero: "for with God, nothing is impossible."

Elder Button: the only thing that matters is that you are

doing better today than you were yesterday.

Elder Merrill: happiness isn't something you acquire,

it is something you choose.

Elder Brunson: understanding God's great love for me makes 

me capable to love others even at first meeting,

Elder Allen: when I'm following God's guidance, 

I've never smiled more.

Sister Green: "grace is not about filling gaps, 

it is about filling us."

Sister Ladle: to acquire the pure love of Christ, 

we need to pray and work for it.

Sister Ogden: I can feel the Savior with me the same as I

would have if I had lived during his mortal ministry.

Sister E. Smith: don't try to be someone you're not.

Trust the Lord that he needs the person you ARE.

Sister Crook: when life gets you down,

 turn to Christ - he will lift you up.

Sister Christiansen: Jesus Christ's light shines not just

at the end of the tunnel, but thru us as we serve others.

Elder Jensen: everything in the Gospel is centered in love.

Sister Gaunt: when we try our best, His grace will make up the rest.

Sister Johnson: a great missionary is voluntarily obedient.

Our lives have been blessed by these wonderful

young missionaries. Our lamps are full,

and their flames flicker and reflect from

our wet cheeks.

Go with peace, even as we are separated.

Clay In The Potter's Hands

These seven youthful veterans have departed from

the New Hampshire Manchester Mission this week.

But their departure is only part of the activities here.

This past week was another busy and buzzy "transfers" week.

On Wednesday late afternoon, thirteen new young Elders

and Sisters arrived from the MTC in Provo by plane

through the Manchester Regional Airport and began

their "feet on the ground" missionary service.

They were welcomed by Pres. & Sister Beck and

the other Senior Missionaries at a Mission Home dinner

On Thursday morning, the new batch met their "trainers"

who will help them know how to live within Mission rules

while they develop the confidence and skills to 

"invite others to come to Christ".

Many other missionaries traveled into Manchester

from their outlying teaching areas to meet up with

their newly-assigned companions, then quickly depart

(after visiting briefly with their friends - the other missionaries)

to their new or still-the-same areas.

This, the site of Concord's Old North Bridge, is the setting

that the departing missionaries have a chance to

visit, with discussions about how important the battle

for freedom (which some say started with shots fired here)

was in providing the conditions needed for the restoration

of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Later that evening, at dinner in a private banquet room

at the historic Colonial Inn at Concord, they shared

 special memories of things they had learned about themselves

 or the Gospel or about God's plan for His children.

They also had an earlier chance to "formalize" these thoughts

and experiences as their "Golden Truths", shared orally

at their final Zone conferences, and also submitted to be

included in the Messenger newsletter - something I prepare.

Many comments reflect this scripture that Vince offered, 

and suggested I include in the Messenger.

Their commentaries often reflect the molding process,

after many "rejections" to feel the excitement as

they find and teach someone who is ready to change

and be changed. Some talk about learning how to be "bold",

as they speak of the personally-rewarding results of doing hard things.

Elder Benedict related a slightly humorous story about a "biddy"

that they taught who, during her life-long quest to find her Savior,

she literally accepted the instruction to "take my name upon you",

and actually spent much of her life with the legal name "Jesus Christ" -

which provided all of us something to ponder about.

Elder Brown, an AP with whom we have developed a relationship

 because he spent so much time in or around the Office,

wrote about "finding joy in the morning" by serving Christ

after struggles and hard work and obedience. 

Sister Dopp entreated her fellows to "let their lights shine".

Elder Steenson related his journey to overcome shyness

in speaking out, and the hard lessons of pridefulness.

Elder Fotheringham referred to Liberty Jail, comparing

it to opportunities to suffer for the Lord's sake, and have

those moments of deep understanding of God's love.

Elder Levanger spoke about choosing to be cheerful,

with Elder Walker echoing with advice about positive attitude.

These young people are the salt of the earth.

We miss them so much already.

Our lamps continually are filled, through their faithful

service and abundant gratitude for the Gospel.