Week 69: Not Without Its Challenges.. or Blessings!

No doubt, I have learned (and re-learned) many new things over the last 16 months. One that has been quite evident is that life is not without its challenges -- even while serving the Lord via a full-time mission. Serving a mission does not make one immune to the trials and challenges of mortality. We have seen this play out in our own lives as well as in the lives of other missionaries.

Missionaries get sick, sprain ankles, fall off bikes, get ear infections, eye infections, toothaches, have appendicitis (resulting in appendectomies), and the list goes on. On any given day, several are having health issues. Many struggle emotionally and deal with varying degrees of anxiety, stress, and depression.  Most are able to get the help they need, work through it, and complete their mission.  Some must return home to get the help they need -- which can be another trial in and of itself, even when an honorable release is extended.

Van has been plagued with extra joint pain, especially in his feet, most of the time we've been here. We know of other senior missionaries who have dealt with serious illness and surgeries -- but all have worked through it and remained to serve.

Wrestler missing part of his arm.

In just the last two weeks, we had a missionary fall during a P-day activity and suffer a serious concussion.  Another Elder was punched in the face by a stranger who wanted money, but the missionary couldn't oblige. Two other missionaries were hit by a car while they were crossing at a cross walk. They'll both be OK, but one of the Elders had to go home for knee surgery which will require a lengthy recovery. The other Elder (shown in photos) had surgery on his elbow at a hospital here. His recovery will be very short. He'll be able to get "back to work" soon.

Rain water as it flows through the parking lot. Just thought it was cool.

Then there are problems "back home." Young missionaries have parents who decide to divorce or leave the church. Some (young and old) have family members or friends who die. In fact, last week President Blatter had to inform a missionary that his 16 year old sister had died unexpectedly. Senior missionaries are not exempt from family troubles either. Children still face their own physical, financial, emotional, and spiritual challenges. We worry about them. We pray a lot.

There are still financial issues to be dealt with and managed as a senior missionary. (Some things just don't go away). :)

We have experienced relationship challenges in our work with a few other senior missionaries. Being on a mission hasn't taken away opportunities for Satan to work on Elder Hadlock and I and our relationship. However, being in the environment of service has made us more keenly aware of the effects of contention and at the same time more determined to overcome those challenges.  We are stronger because of it.

On Saturday, we went to a wrestling meet. We were especially taken in by a young wrestler who was missing part of his arm. Picture above is a poor shot, but ... Anyway, he certainly didn't let this challenge stop him. In fact, he won the match we watched.  He doesn't let his challenge, stop him. Inspiring.

These are just a few examples of mission & life realities. Enough said. Missions are hard. Life is hard. But life is good. God is good. He is good to us. Missions are awesome. We feel so incredibly, incredibly blessed. Among those blessings are the trials and challenges we face.  Trials help us see that we can do hard things. Trials humble us and help us turn to God. It is said that the Lord will not give us more than we can handle. I believe that He will not give us more than we can handle with His help. The key is to seek his help, to follow Jesus Christ, and to let His Atonement heal us, help us, and enable us.

Serving a mission is not without its challenges. But the weightier message is that, for us, serving a mission has definitely not been without an extra measure of blessings.