Two Grand Reunions After Three Years of Service

Speaking of “being better,” I’ve been thinking about another avenue of “being better” as well. I’ve been thinking about how to “pour out” to be exact. Because our friends and family who have been serving as LDS mission leaders returned home. And there’s nothing like mission service reunions.

Do you remember when our friends and Dave’s sister and her husband left to serve as mission leaders three years ago? Ok, probably not, because three years is an awful long time. I mean, Lucy was afreshman back when they left, for crying out loud. But we bid them goodbye all those years ago and have been missing them terribly ever since. I have loved having a front row seat to what it means to pour out your heart in serving God for the last three years.

We got to visit our friends in Iowa a handful of times. It helped that Lucy’s doctors happened to be right there at the University of Iowa and we got to stay with Denny & Nichole when we were there. We also got to visit Sierra Leone. I wrote about the background on that trip and also so many of the things we did there. It’s place I’ve actually been yearning to go back and “pour out” my heart in alongside my in-laws ever since. It is an amazing country.

What adventures these incredible couples have had in both places, filled with such unique and trying experiences.

I remember thinking when they left, they are so lucky to know what God wants them to do right now. For three years, they knew exactly where to be, and their jobs were outlined and set up for them.

Oh it was not easy work, that’s for sure. I learned that with our first visit.

Just because they knew where they were going and had all kinds of standards and practices, every mission for sure has it’s own unique challenges. I mean, you’re shepherding 200+ missionaries coming from all walks of life as they each embark on an extremely rigorous journey. Also, they were serving away from family, I’m sure missing them terribly.

These guys fulfilled that job in such beautiful ways with literally no breaks and continually “showing up” with smiles and guiding hearts. I think of them working so hard not only to be in the places they were, but to have their hearts and minds ready to spill out goodness at all times. To build those kids. They worked to build the members there. They spoke at never-ending stake conferences, to buoy up everyone in the tough times, even when I’m sure there were times they wanted to throw in the towel.

Makes me tear up to even think about.

Mission Service Reunions

And now, as of the end of June, three years has come to an end.

We got to welcome them home.

First our friends:

And then Dave’s sister and her husband.

Oh man, they were joyous reunions, love them all SO MUCH.

And I’m so grateful for all they taught me through their examples for the last three years. The way they reminded me that service can do something to your soul and make you an even better version of yourself than you were before. Deep learning and growing has gone on in their souls as they have braved these adventures.

It makes me think about what’s happened in my own soul over the last three years. Have I put in the work to become better every day? Have I even done anything or am I spinning my wheels? Am I striving to reach out in my own unique ways? Do I seek opportunities to serve in my every day life? It seems trickier somehow to notice those things when you’re not “on assignment.” But deep down, we’re all on assignment in some way or other, right? We just have to remind ourselves to act in our own unique ways to “pour out” to others.

Thanks dear mission leaders, for your example of pushing to make the world a better place. I love to think of the ripple effects from your service.

XOXO