The Missionaries

The important people in a mission are the young missionaries. They are the ones getting up at 6:30 every morning and working diligently until they fall into bed at 10:00 every night. They have a partial day of free time on Mondays; to clean their apartments, go shopping, go to a "cyber" to write home to their families and cram in whatever else they might need to do. Not a few must do their laundry by hand. Then they are back to their investigators until it is time to go to bed again.

I am so impressed with their sincere efforts to be of service to others. They are not only obedient to all the rules, they are trying to obey with exactness. A mission for a young person is a unique experience. They will never again have as many constraints or need to be so focused on only one responsibility. They learn to really study. They learn to put others ahead of their own needs. They must be within view and hearing of their companions 24/7 (except in the bathroom). They are asked to write to their parents once every week. They are allowed to call home twice a year. They put their own lives on hold for 18 months (young women) or 2 years (young men). Most of them learn how to choose to be intentional with their time and their efforts for the rest of their lives. I am in awe of how well they do. They do it because they want to and they pay the cost of their mission.

Fortunately the senior missionaries have very few rules. We are supposed to be able to use good judgement (We try to live up to that.) and are counseled not to do more than we can manage. I tell the young missionaries that they will enjoy their second mission even more than their first. I remind them they need to choose their spouse wisely, spend 30 years or so together raising a family, remain best friends during all that busyness, so that finally they can have time together on their mission.  

Here are just a few of the missionaries we have been spending time with in the last three months:

These are the cute girls that moved into our apartment in Zamora after we moved to Loja.

Elder Gonzale and Elder Villca

Hermana Torres and Hermana Bytheway - we are celebrating Sister Bytheway's birthday after Zone meeting

Hermana Anzola and Hermana Campbell - Sister Campbell was with us in Galapagos

 Hermana Arellano (Great name, she is from Chile) and Sister Navarro who was with us in Galapagos too. She has gone home.

Sister Murri (fabulous violinist and multi-talented) and Sister Wiscomb

Sister Argueta and Sister Arnold. Nancy and David met Sister Arnold's family at a wedding and they sent greetings to their missionary. 

We were behind Elder Barney and Elder Archila. There is a very noticeable difference in height but both are powerful missionaries. 

Elder Saavedra and Elder Boden. Our kids grew up with Elder Boden's dad, Greg. His grandma was Lewis' employee for many years. 

Elder Henline and Elder Richards - Loja East Zone Leaders

Elder (oops, I can't remember) and Elder Cayax from Guatamala.

Elder Carmona and Elder Cabrera (Zone leaders in Loja West) checking something on lds.org. Thanks again Dan for the iPad. It has been wonderful!

Sister Hidalgo (Philippine heritage, born and raised in Canada, always cheerful) and Sister Tanner, our mission nurse and so kind.

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Elder Condori. Another year older.

The Pettingills with Elder Sanchez who is from Mexico.