Thinking of serving a senior mission?

 

My husband and I just returned from our second mission. We requested to serve a temple mission and were called to serve in the Durban South Africa Temple. 

 

Serving in the temple was far from monotonous. We served every day from Tuesday to Friday. And served an occasional Saturday. Every day was different. Different people had different needs. We knew why we were there, and felt we were really making a difference. Our mission wasn’t just working in the temple either. We were still able to involve ourselves in missionary work, as well as working with the members in several wards. 

 

We loved the people of South Africa and they loved us back. Witnessing one of the happiest days of their lives, when they were sealed as families, was a joy that is hard to express. I always managed to slip down to the Waiting Room, where children were waiting to be brought up to the Sealing Room, and gave them Little Jesus’. Even the older teenagers wanted one. It was a real hit!

 

I was called as a Seminary teacher. It was hard for the kids to get to the chapel to meet on a regular basis, so I decided to meet with them over Zoom. Some of them struggled with data, so I still had to be creative. We were able to get together for some parties. Right before leaving to come home, I was told by the kids and the bishop that I had made a difference.They sure made a difference for me.

 

 

 

 

My husband was asked, by a few stake presidents, to train EQ/RS Presidencies. This was a very valuable service. So many had questions and didn’t know how to make Ministering or Family History work in their wards. They were so grateful for the ideas.

 

The temple closed for a period of time, so we asked the mission president if we could serve out in the field during the closure. We were able to attend District Councils and see some baptisms. That was great fun!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One sister asked if we would be willing to lead a FHE Book of Mormon group. We had many people join us and they all became our dear friends.

 

Another senior couple was going home, so we finished teaching the last few lessons of an English Connect class, which turned out to be really fun. We had a graduation, with ice cream, and everything.

 

 

One important lesson we learned is that as senior missionaries, a mission is really what you make it; what you want to do, or what you are able to do. Senior missionaries are so needed out in the field that you can literally decide what you want to do and you will likely be able to do it.

 

What makes senior missionaries so valuable is that we simply have experience. We have experience with past callings, we know how to deal with problems and can offer solutions, we understand the gospel of Jesus Christ, and our testimonies are strong.

 

We were as busy as we wanted to be. We had a lot of freedom to use our talents in ways that blessed people’s lives. If we were uncomfortable doing something, we could offer to do something we were more comfortable doing. There was always a lot of flexibility.

 

Our service took much of our time, but we still had time to do some sightseeing. We traveled to Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Newcastle. We climbed the Drakensberg mountains. We took longer trips to Harare, Zimbabwe to see the temple, and to Victoria Falls, in Zambia. And we went on four safaris.

 

And this is just South Africa. We live in an amazing world with beautiful places and beautiful people everywhere. Adventure awaits and working in the kingdom of God becomes your purpose in life. And what a purpose!

 

There is never a good time to serve a senior mission. There will always be something keeping you home. But, this is a decision you will never be sorry you made. If we do the Lord’s work, He promises to bless us and our families. And the Lord keeps ALL of His promises.

 

 

If you are having any thoughts about serving a mission, or even if you’re not, consider going on one. You can state your own preferences and serve in any part of the world, even from your own home if that’s what you want. There are so many needs that your particular talent could be just what that mission needs. Check out this site to see for yourself.

 

I testify that the Lord is with His missionaries. These are the last days and He needs us “older folk” now, more than ever. We are doing what the younger missionaries cannot do. We are His servants. He needs us. And we need His blessings.