THE LAST WAGON

We thought this weekend would be the first during our time here when one or both of us didn’t have to go into the office and work.  We actually went to the gym and made it to 10:15 AM before things happened which required Eileen to go into the office.  Fortunately, we were able to pick up what she needed quickly, and she has been working on the ‘project’ most of the day yesterday and today. 

 

We were able to watch General Conference, and yesterday two talks resonated with me (Russell).  Elder Bednar referenced a talk given by Elder J. Ruben Clark in 1947 which centered on those he called “they of the last wagon.”  Elder Clark “praised these anonymous and uncelebrated heroes who, day after day, week after week, and month after month, choked on the dust stirred up by all of the wagons rolling in front of them – and who overcame the relentless obstacles they encountered along the way.”  

 

Perhaps Elder Bednar’s talk resonated with me because over the last six weeks I have thought of myself more like the Street Sweeper character from the cartoon Peabody and Sherman.  It’s funny how I remember things from when I was very young.  The image of this cartoon character following behind the parade, sweeping up the mess the parade made, depicts how I see my current role at times.  However, in the cartoon I don’t remember this character ever saying anything; unlike me who has done more than my share of ‘murmuring’ to my companion and muttering to myself.  I need to repent.

 

Elder Rasband’s talk at the end of the afternoon session yesterday also struck me.  Instances where a General Authority has commented on senior missionaries in General Conference are fairly rare and an Apostle just devoted his whole conference talk to all to it.  The story he recounted of his parents serving a mission and helping to bring a family into the Church was touching and having had an experience during our last mission of doing something similar, I could relate.  And appropriately, he addressed the fact that most senior missionaries are called to do a wide variety of things, many not directly associated with bringing the gospel to non-members.  Elder Rasband said, “Dedicated service to Jesus Christ will inspire and bless one’s family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.”  That promise alone, from an Apostle of Jesus Christ, makes this worth it.

 

I’ve mentioned to Eileen that our roles here in the mission are in someways similar to utilities, which if they work properly nobody notices.  My role being a bit like that of the electric utility, which if it does not work properly is a great annoyance to all and hindrance to the missionary work.  Eileen’s role is more similar to that of a water and sewer utility, which if it doesn’t work correctly is a crisis and mandates a relocation. As I read my grandson Andrew’s letter to his family yesterday, I thought of Friday afternoon when I was taking a car to the shop because some elders had hit a few cones on the highway and I was also dealing with another missionary’s gas card that had fraudulent transactions on it, I found myself hoping there would be someone who would similarly help him as he serves in Wisconsin.

 

                                Russell feels sometimes like the proverbial street sweeper

Twice a month we have a senior missionary FHE with a guest speaker. This month it was Brother and Sister Freestone. They had some very interesting stories about their time as mission leaders in Greece.  The photo below shows the location Moroni in Greece.  Brother and Sister Freestone are now serving in the Kansas City Temple presidency.

I (Eileen) brought work home for the weekend. We have 28 new missionaries coming in on the next transfer. Seven are waiting for visas to other countries. I go through every single missionary recommendation and set up doctor appointments for those who need to have medical management, document any allergies or concerns and then call the parents if I have questions.  Fortunately we have an LDS doctor who has been great to work with and will see the new missionaries and do Telehealth visits when they get transferred. I make the appointments online for the missionaries even before they arrive in the mission field. I definitely don't want a missionary to run out of meds or have a serious medical issue shortly after they get here and not have them set up with a primary care physician. (sorry it is such a mess, I didn't realize Russell would be taking a photo of my desk as I stepped out of the room).