Onward Ever Onward

 

This week we were blessed to have a front-row seat in witnessing the continuous momentum (slancio) of missionary work when we were able to help celebrate the successful completion of 14 missionaries and welcome 11 new missionaries. 

The impact of missionary service is undeniable when you juxtapose these two groups. The new missionaries come excited, energetic (after the jetlag subsides), and full of faith. Although anxious about what lies ahead, they are antsy to get started. On the other hand, the returning missionaries are seasoned with 2 years of rich experiences that have helped them become more mature and confident with a strong personal relationship with their savior. They are poised to take on the world and we wouldn’t bet against them.

Although we were officially called as Young Single Adult missionaries, we feel fortunate that we have also been asked to assist the office missionaries with some of these bigger events when needed. It may look like we are behind the scenes setting / cleaning up, cooking, baking, serving, and transporting missionaries and their luggage. However, what is really happening is that we are being lifted as we create personal relationships with each of these missionaries one by one. Whether departing or arriving we are inspired by their faith, sacrifice, and desire to please their Heavenly Father by following His son Jesus Christ. They are living examples of our mission scripture found in 3 Nephi 5:13,26:

13. Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life.

26. And then shall they know their Redeemer, who is Jesus Christ, the Son of God; and then shall they be gathered in from the four quarters of the earth unto their own lands, from whence they have been dispersed; yea, as the Lord liveth so shall it be. Amen.

As the arrival and departure of these missionaries create a domino effect throughout the mission resulting in many companionship changes, we are excited that we get to continue to be companions… not just for another 6 weeks, but for eternity. Just as these missionaries grow at an accelerated rate during their missions, so does our relationship as we serve others and each other everyday.

This is what it is all about. Daniel chose to follow the Savior and be baptized

We met these incredible people at the baptism and instantly connected, so we celebrated with some gelato   

Steve using Google Translate to speak French with one of our friends at church. Technology is a blessing! 

82 year old Guido Cabelli working Steve over on the ping pong table. We wish we had his energy

We thought Secret Hitler was hard in English, but in Italian these YSAs had smoke coming out of our ears

For PDay, Laura baked a breakfast casserole and cut the hair of the office missionaries

New missionaries and their companions rocking back and forth singing the mission song.  It's a bop!

Celebrating the first 6 weeks of training with chicken tortellini salad and fruit tarts 😋 

Laura finds yet another way to serve by hemming pants for a missionary

Steve caught in his 'zoom' attire. It can get quite hot and humid here.