Our Chinese-speaking Elders Make the News

The following article appeared in the Houston Chronicle on Friday, March 22, 2013.  This is the second article that has been written about our missionaries since we arrived.  This one is about two of our Chinese-speaking missionaries.  We are so proud of them.

If you would like to read the article in its original location you can find it here,  http://blog.chron.com/sacredduty/2013/03/mormon-missionaries-a-day-in-the-life/#10734-1

Mormon missionaries: A day in the life

Friday, March 22, 2013

The caricature of the “Mormon missionary” as a straight-laced male riding his bike from door-to-door stalking the streets for the next convert is more parody than reality.

While stereotypes like these are spurred on by Broadway productions such as, “The Book of Mormon,” they are poor reflections of the reality of missionary service with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS).

Just ask Elders Quigley and Cai, two young men working in Houston’s “China Town.” While their service is strictly regimented, it is also filled with the unexpected and is not just the stuff of public satire.

“A lot of people have a picture of what it means to be a missionary,” said Cai, “we wear white shirts and ties, we ride bikes, we read the Book of Mormon – yes; but we do so much more.”

Currently, the LDS has 55,410 missionaries serving in 340 missions worldwide. Officials from the church toldDeseret News that following the October announcement lowering the age of service to 18 for men and 19 for women that there has been, “unprecedented numbers of young men and young women” applying for service and they expect numbers to continue to rise.

According to Brigham Young University, missionary service has been important to the LDS since the beginning of the church in the 1830s. Back then missionaries were to preach “the restored gospel of Jesus Christ,” which the prophet Joseph Smith had revealed and gather new converts and faithful members to establish a covenant community of righteous saints – a Zion in the Americas. From the earliest days these missionaries were sent with a two-fold charge to do spiritual and physical work.  Originally only older males were permitted to do this work, but times have changed.  And while the requirements for missionary service have transformed, the two-pronged approach has remained.

Elders Quigley and Cai not only ground themselves in, and share from, “the Quad” – an anthology of Mormon scriptures including the Holy Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Pearl of Great Price and the Doctrines and Covenants – but also teach English and provide physical care for “investigators,” those interested in learning more about the LDS.

For example, one woman they care for needs to stop smoking. Not only does the pair share the spiritual dimensions of bodily care as they meet with her, but they provide a practical twelve-step program and resources to help her stop – including juice bottles, cranberries, Febreeze spray and a case of water.

Quigley said, “people won’t really listen unless we deal with issues in each context.” “We can’t just teach religion,” he said, “we have to work with people.”

In their particular context, in the expansive area loosely known as Houston’s “China Town,” they also have to deflect sometimes exotic rumors concerning Mormonism.

“People think we eat our wives, hold women as slaves, practice polygamy,” said Quigley, “they run away from us, because their only contact is through errant teaching.”

While much of their work challenges conventional ideas of LDS missionary service – they drive a car to many of their appointments and do not go door-to-door – their work still reflects the punctilious practices of the LDS.

They are meticulously manicured and dressed, equipped with the ubiquitous black name tag of a Mormon missionary. They have bikes, and always carry the Book of Mormon. Their stereotype-busting vehicles are church-provided and equipped with “black boxes” tracking mileage and driver behavior. There are stringent rules governing not only their use of the vehicle, but their daily and monthly calendars. Their schedule, their conversations, their plans, are dogmatically detailed with back up plans for every step so no resource is wasted.

Each day starts out with three hours of study, the two men working through “the Quad” and missionary manuals. This is followed by English study for Elder Cai, who is from a rural town outside Shangai, and Mandarin for Quigley, who comes from Kaysville, Utah. They then role play, in both languages, the conversations they might have that day.

Even so, they admit that missionary service is often impromptu and thus, difficult.

Kelly Foss, a local LDS leader and media liaison, said that every missionary faces unique struggles, which are an essential element of service. He said, “the work is both demanding and rewarding.” He said, “Struggles are the norm, overcoming them is where the change and growth takes place.”

“Everyone struggles, we have lots of struggles, but sharing the Gospel means sharing in the struggles of others and watching them change,” said Cai.

Elder Quigley who has only served for three months, said with the unbridled optimism of a neophyte that, “the Mormon faith offers happiness amidst the darkness.” He is convinced that sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints will change peoples’ lives for the better.

Cai, coming to the end of his two-year term, tempered his younger partner’s enthusiasm and said, “I am not sure how many people I’ve converted, but I am sure how much my heart has changed, and that’s most important.”

Angels Round About You

As a young woman, I served a mission in Spain.  During that mission the scripture in Doctrine and Covenants 84:88 was frequently quoted in which it says, "And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face.  I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up."  I read this scripture often when I felt overwhelmed or discouraged.  It was very comforting.  I really believed, and still do, that we do have angels around us helping us and strengthening us.  However, I had always considered that these angels were loved ones who were not currently on this earth.  With this mission, I have found that in addition to the angels I can't see, there are many angels on this earth who are supporting and "bearing me up."  On numerous occasions since receiving the call to serve this mission, I have been overwhelmed, sometimes even to the point of tears, by the great love and support I have felt from so many people.

This mission is a wonderful experience.  We love being with the missionaries.  The people of Houston have been so out going and welcoming.  They have been angels.  When we arrived at our new home, there were members of our new ward (religious congregation) there with dinner for us.  The fridge had been stocked by the previous mission president's wife with the essentials.  The next day when I went to put something in the freezer, I found it stocked with frozen meals made anonymously by other "angels."  The day after we arrived, a couple of "angels" organized a swim party so my children could meet other kids their age.  There are three angels that every six weeks make two very large dinners for me so I can feed all the missionaries that are leaving to return home one night and all the missionaries that are newly arriving to the mission the next night.  Those are just a few examples of the great love and support we have received since arriving here.

Emily sent the first package with this cute poem.

A few weeks ago, my sister Emily who is one of my angels and an amazing woman, organized a whole host of angels.  Since then I have been receiving three care packages in the mail each week.  Unbelievable.  I have felt so loved and supported.  It is overwhelming how many wonderful, loving, giving people I know.  I am just so blessed.  It is truly amazing.  Thank you, thank you, thank you to all my friends who love and support me.  You are all great examples for me and I love you.

Here are some pictures of some of the care packages I have received so far.  I will eventually share all of them, but at the moment I will share the ones that are currently on my computer.

Emily made this cute Valentines banner.

Sweet treats including chocolate covered cinnamon bears.

Maria Majeroni--just what we need--healthy food recipes and easy FHE lessons-so fun

Shauna Redford--Love the color red on this journal and willow tree

Tracy Lyman--essential oils including lavender for relaxation-you can imagine how much I need this

Paula Call-tons of yummy treats and recipes, journals, and a movie for entertaining the kiddos-just what every mom needs

Denise Stevens-Yellow may be my favorite color-it is just so cheery-certainly brightened my day

Paulette Santiago-Yellow and citrus, two loves.  I love using fancy bars of soap, but it is a luxury I don't get to enjoy frequently

Amy Davis-yummy lo-cal treats (perfect since I am STILL trying to lose my baby weight) and a gift card for date night.  Wish all these friends were here to go out with us.

Tammie Moore-citrus AND chocolate-what more can you want, plus a bonus of cute kitchen towels.  Her brother is one of our missionaries and we love him.

They are just so good!

My nephew Zander entered the MTC (Missionary Training Center) yesterday.  I am so proud of him.  He is the first of all my nieces and nephews to choose to serve a mission for our church.  It really is a great sacrifice, but one that is rewarded with amazing blessings.  Young adulthood is a time when most are focused on themselves.  Young adults have traded their childhood homes for the independence they craved during their teenage years.  They frequently are focused on themselves, trying to "take advantage" of this time when they only have to worry about themselves.  They want to pack in as much fun as they can before they decide to marry and once again have to concern themselves with the needs of others.  I don't mean to assert that all young adults are completely selfish, but that it is one of the times in life that is often very self-centered.  It is a very fun and exciting time--a time of growth and exploration.  As I think of all the millions of young adults in the world, I am always touched by the sacrifice of the relative handful, about 60,000 at a time, who choose to sacrifice the fun of being a young adult to serve their God and others.  They sacrifice dating, music, electronics, studies, family, sports, comfort, etc.  They choose to give a year and a half or two years of their life.  They do not choose where they will serve and at times they are initially a little disappointed in their assignment.  They go whereever they are asked and devote nearly all their time to serving others and sharing a message about Jesus Christ and His love.  They only have about three quarters of one day off each week and during that time they do their shopping, cleaning, laundry, etc.  They do find time to have fun on their day off, but by dinner time, they are back to teaching and serving.  They are amazing!

Mission life is not easy, it is demanding and results in much soul searching, but these young people rise to the occasion.  They grow to love the poeple who they serve and are loved in return.  They learn about themselves--their strengths and their weaknesses.  They work hard and invest much physically, emotionally, and spiritually. They stretch and grow which at times is painful, but they are rewarded with much joy.  The result is that these young men and women who started out their missions as amazing young people become extraordinary.  I feel so priviledged to be able to work with them.  So many times we have had people not of our faith come up to us after having some association with the missionaries and almost be at a loss for words.  They are clearly moved and say something to the effect of, "They are just so good" not knowing how else to express what they are feeling and observing.

Zander is one of these great young people.  He has worked hard to prepare himself for this opportunity.  After he graduated from high school last spring, he went away to college and had a fabulous time.  He made many friends and had lots of FUN.  He was experiencing the freedom and independence that all teenagers dream about and loving it.  He had determined that he wanted to serve a mission for our church and planned on doing so when he turned 19--the age at which the young men were asked to serve.  He had a year of good times ahead of him.  About a month after he turned 18, Thomas S. Monson, the prophet of our church, announced that young men were able to begin their missions at the the age of 18 if they desired.  Because he is so wonderful and he had put forth the effort to prepare himself, he immediately began filling out and submitting the paperwork necessary to be able to serve a mission.  This handsome, intelligent, fun young man chose to give up his year of fun, so that he could work to try and bring happiness to others.  I love him and am so proud of him.  "HE IS JUST SO GOOD!"

Family Update

The following was originally written on October 12, 2012

We are all doing well.

Wesley is growing fast and has become a very smiley baby. He still has times when his tummy causes him trouble, but he is definitely improving for which I am very thankful.

Daniel is super cute and such a happy kid. He is lonely with all his siblings at school, but loves playing with his trains and cars.

Ethan started kindergarten which is all day here. He had a little bit of difficulty adjusting to having someone tell him what to do for seven hours straight, but he has adjusted now. He walks home from school with Jacob and Elli which he loves, but keeps asking me if I can pick his siblings up so he could walk by himself. He just loves being independent.

Elli of course has made tons of friends and has invited several of them to church. She loves sharing the gospel and was jumping around the room with excitement when President Monson announced that girls would be able to go on missions at 19.

Jacob is Jacob. Happy and confident--taking things in stride. He has been a great helper to me doing things like coming out to carry in groceries without me asking.

Braeden is loving playing tackle football. I am so thankful that he was chosen to play quarterback. He has made many friends and is quite a leader.

Spencer is also enjoying playing football--tight end and draws a lot of social attention especially from the girls. He is handsome and confident.

Brian is very busy, but loves teaching and of course is doing a great job. He has really tried to take Saturdays off to be with the family and has done amazingly well at that. He also has made it to all the boys games except one when we were out of town for a mission presidents conference.

I am just my normal self, frazzled, exhausted and disorganized. Trying to keep up with all my kids and wondering how I got myself into this mess. Lol. All in all, life is good.

A Time To Serve

I have always loved the scripture in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every person under the heaven..."  By nature I am always trying to cram as much as I can into each season of my life and at the same time always seem to be looking forward to the next season.  As a result, I often forget to enjoy my current season.  When I read this scripture in my youth, I realized that I needed to focus on and enjoy the good of each season of my life.  This realization has positively impacted my life and lead me to find more joy and happiness.

When Brian and I received the call to preside over a mission for our church, I was perplexed to say the least.  We are relatively young with young children; our oldest is 13.  As one might expect, we are extremely busy just trying to care for our children, so it was surprising to be asked to leave our home to watch over and care for over a 160 young missionaries in addition to our own children.  I felt overwhelmed and under qualified and wondered how I could possibly manage such an assignment.  During the following weeks, as I sought support through my faith, this scripture kept coming to mind.  I knew from past experience that God does not require us to do that which is impossible, and even those situations that appear impossible are possible with His aid.  Furthermore, we can find great joy even in the most trying and growth promoting circumstances.  This is our family's "Time to Serve" and I have no doubt that it will be a great blessing in our life and one of our favorite "seasons".

In this blog, I hope to be able to share the "joys" of this season--the things we learn, the experiences that change our hearts, the growth in our faith, the struggles that teach us, the happiness of serving together, and the love we develop for the people of the Texas, Houston South Mission.