Reflections

About a week ago, we reached the halfway mark for our mission.  Looking back at what we've accomplished, we feel we have done some good.  Our assignment, of course, is supporting and training the Technology Specialists (TS) in each of the Stakes and Districts in the Europe area.

Among all the things we have done, we believe we have helped to strengthen and encourage the technology specialists to be more involved in their callings.  We've done this by:

1. enlisting their help.  We've reached out to them by sending surveys and requests to gather information from them.
2. providing them with good, clear instruction to successfully perform various responsibilities like webcasting and video conferencing. These can be difficult to do. We designed an instructional format that enabled even the least skilled specialist could do it. I remember talking to a specialist in Italy who described that he was "just a librarian" and had no technical skills.
3. developing personal relationships with the TSs. When we write the monthly newsletter, we try to add some personal story or experience. Also when someone new has been called as a TS, I call them up and try to get to know them and see how we can help them. When we answer email, we answer their questions and concerns but in a personal way. We thank them for what they do  Where appropriate we express sympathy or gratitude for their comments.

Looking into this next year, we have a lot we want to accomplish. Besides continuing on with our past efforts, we have an new program which we are scheduled to present to the Area Presidency in a couple of weeks. We are excited about this program and believe that it is inspired and of the Lord.  The question remains if it is the right time for it.  Many of the TSs feel alone and isolated in their callings. This program will bring them closer together to support each other. Right now, we are their only support. Should we not get replaced at the end of our mission, these brothers and sisters need to have something in place to help them in their work.

I'm personally looking at what I have accomplished and what I personally would like to accomplish. Though we thoroughly enjoy teaching seminary, it consumes all of our free time. I had dreams of learning the language and being heavily involved with the younger missionaries. I'm hoping that once seminary is over, I can do this. I want to be able to return home and feel like I did all I could to make my Heavenly Father proud of me.

One other area that I feel we need to do is genealogical work on Diane's family. Ever since we have arrived here, I felt the Lord called us to this particular country for that one reason.  of her family history comes from here. Unlike other missions, we have the time and ability to travel on our own. But again, once seminary is over.

Let us end with an observation we have noticed when reflecting over our mission so far. We have had some amazing experiences, most of which were spiritual in nature. The memories of these experiences increase our testimonies which were already strong. And we were surprised how much closer we have grown to the Lord and to each other. We came out here feeling that our relationship with Him and with each other were as strong as they could be, but, the reality is, they are even stronger. What a marvelous blessing that is.

We love the Lord. We are grateful to have this opportunity in our lives to serve Him and our fellow brothers and sisters. We love you and miss you and pray for you always.