We Each Have a Story - What’s Yours?

This week is transfer week and that means we get new missionaries! We have 25 new missionaries coming to join us from all over the United States. We also have a sister missionary coming from Germany.

Before they arrive, as mission leaders we are given, along with their contact information, a photo and a short bio on each of them which is compiled by our office administer Sister Larsen into a transfer notebook. It is fun to get to know them a little bit before they arrive by reading this information. Understanding some things about them also helps us to pair them a with a companion.

Transfer Notebook

 Reading the 25 bios over the last few days has got me thinking about how everyone is unique, everyone one matters, and everyone has a story to tell. 

Akansha Deshmukh from the India Times said this: “In the tapestry of human experience, we are all weavers, each thread representing a unique story that speaks to the rich diversity of our lives. Every person, no matter their background or circumstances, has a tale to tell, a personal narrative that captures the essence of who they are and what they have lived through.”

I know that as I have written some of my life stories, I see myself in a broader and more noble way. I see myself as a daughter of God. This perspective shows me how I am greatly loved and what I can offer to others.

Elder Gerrit Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said, We each have a story. As we discover our story, we connect, we belong, we become.

What is your tale to tell? Who are you? What rich expereinces have you been through that would help you to see yourself in a broader way?

I asked four of our current missionaries to write a paragraph about what made them into a good missionary. Below are their answers and their stories.

I hope you will enjoy reading about these four wonderful missionaries. And I hope you will ask yourself a question and answer it by writing out a story.

Have a great Week! Elaine

Elder Wiley

Elder Wiley said: Hey Sister Quinn To answer the question I would have to say, that my mission has allowed me to be set apart from the world and removed from all the distractions and time fillers allowing me to really focus on my relationship with The Savior and actually come to know of the loving healing comforting and teaching power of his enabling atonement. I have been allowed to go through some of the hardest moments in my life dealing with anxiety stress pressure and doing it with with people who I really did not get along with. Every time I thought I wasn't going to be able to handle it, He would show me that he loved me and that I was good enough. Every time he helped me see that with his help I was able to accomplish what he had asked me to do and that has been a huge part of my drive as a missionary. I want to share the things that I have learned that help us access His atonement and the power of the spirit so that others can have peace and comfort through their trials as well. I want them to know that there is someone who knows and loves them perfectly who knows how to help them in their trials because He went through them as well and that they are not alone. Thank you!

Elder Garside

Elder Garside said: “There is one specific event that changed my mission that I can share with you. About a year ago in November I found myself struggling on my mission. I was working hard, doing good things, and felt satisfaction in the effort I was putting forth, but I felt like I was missing something. I did not love the work, I said in my journal, "I'm still doing the work and trying but Satan is winning in my mind, I'm so focused on myself or my life after instead of focusing on now and the work." I found myself in a moment of true weakness and I reached to my loving mother who suggested that I prayed to Heavenly Father to show me his hands in my life and sacrifice what was necessary to change. I took that invitation to heart and sincerely prayed to my Father in Heaven for his guidance. Afterwards I got a very distinct idea that I needed to stop calling my family. I didn't understand the impression at first, but I decided to follow it I wrote, "I want to learn to love this work if that means going all in I think I'm finally ready to go all." That day changed my mission, after I made that choice, I told my family that I was only going to call them for Holidays and only for a hour. They respected my choice and supported me whole heartedly. And then I prayed to my Heavenly Father and entered a covenant that I would not call my family if he helped me love this work. I saw a change in my life after that day I decided to sacrifice what was necessary to be all in and the Lord magnified my efforts. I was no longer living Pday to Pday, no longer working just because I should, I was beginning to become a disciple of Jesus Christ I ended my entry that night saying, "Tomorrow I start a new, though I won't be perfect tomorrow I am committing to a change. This is my time!" It has now been a year since I made that promise and I can say I love the work. Following promptings and sacrificing things for the Lord deepened my relationship with him and continues to each day.”

Elder Sands

Elder Sands: The moment that changed my mission was January 1st, 2023. My uncle tragically died in a flash flood while I was visiting my cousins in my mission. It wasn't their father, but that uncle was coming down from Oklahoma to visit that family. My grandparents and sister were with him, and he passed away not too far away from where I was. At that moment, my mission changed. I was so focused on how I was doing and my stresses that I completely forgot to turn outward and lift those around me. It was very tragic on what happened, but I wouldn't be here and be who I am without those challenges and trials that were given to me.

Sister Christensen

Sister Christensen: One of the biggest lessons I've learned on my mission is what it means to be submissive, and to trust in God. It's not an easy task, but if it was easy we wouldn't have to "submit" or "trust". I've learned that my trials on my mission have made me stronger, and even though it's not fun to struggle, it always makes us better. I think understanding really has shaped me into the missionary I am, it helps me to share the gospel in a more personal way. 
Another way I've learned how to be successful is through my prayers. Praying for charity has been a huge part of my mission, it's hard to live with others that I've never known. I pray for strength, and I've learned how to rely on God- trust is huge. Through the Atonement, I've been strengthened and developed more love for everyone around me. 
Communication is another huge lesson I've learned. If you don't communicate, or you feel like you can't, you will learn on a mission. As I've learned how to bring things up and correct from a place of love; relationships with my friends, companions, and members have strengthened. I'm able to learn and grow in my flaws, as well as help others do the same. To wrap it all together, Jesus Christ is what has made me the missionary I am. He is the key to success.