One of the senior couples we serve with are assigned to the Family History Centre in the Hyde Park Chapel. The following story from Elder/Sister Price was shared with us this week:
"When we arrived at the Centre, Sister Scott [1/2 of another senior couple assigned to FHC] told us that when they were at the London Temple last Friday, she met a lady from Australia who had been a member for a month. She had come to the temple to do baptisms for her grandparents. She told Sister Scott that she had a wonderful experience, and then she told her why she was there. That week, she was in London on business, and had just come out of the South Kensington Undergound station [located directly opposite the Hyde Park Building]. The first thing she saw as she gazed about was the London Family History Centre sign. Her bishop in Sydney was on the ball, and had recently given her a temple recommend (limited to baptisms). As she looked at the Family History sign, she thought, "This can wait. I'll do my grandparents work when I get back to Sydney." Then she felt something pushing her toward the sign. She told Sister Scott that she had no choice, but to go to the Centre, and there she met an elder who told her that he would help her sign up on http://new.familysearch.org, and enter her grandparents' names. After everything was complete, the elder gave her a sheet of paper, with public transportation directions for her trip to the temple in Surrey. She told Sister Scott that she was so grateful to that elder, went on about his kindess. I remembered her, and how afraid she was about the process. She was wondering who would do her grandfather's baptism. I assured her that she shouldn't worry. [I told her] just go to the temple, and things will work out. I was happy for her, and hoped that she would follow through, and go to the temple.
Sister Scott wanted me to know what she had said. It put tears in my eyes. I get "misty" every once in a while, doing this work."
Experiences like this are testimonies that what we do as senior couple missionaries does make a difference. Most of the time we don't hear the "end of the story." We help where we can, and the days fly by. Elder and Sister Hawley's work in the office is, for the most part, the support system, the "stuffing" in the mattress that gives others a good night's sleep. Occasionally we are told that what we do does make a positive difference. Yesterday was one of those days for us. We met with President Patch, along with the office elders, Elder Johnson and Elder Cardon, for our bi-monthly office administration meeting. Before beginning the agenda President Patch told Elder & Sister Hawley how grateful he is for what we do, and that we are here, because what we do enables him and the other missionaries to do what they do. The office elders concurred, with Elder Johnson telling Sister Hawley how the missionaries appreciate her because she is always happy. [Little do we realize how our mood, our countenance, as well as our manner and words, can affect and uplift others for good!] If we as office missionaries can make sure they have what they need financially and physically [flats, supplies, etc.], and if we can "scatter a little sunshine" and greet/treat them as if each one is important [which they are], then we will have done our jobs well. Elder and Sister Hawley remember the hands and hearts of those nameless, faceless supporters who loved and cared and smiled at our children when they were missionaries far from home. This mission provides us with an assortment of ways to give back, or pay it forward, because we know how both the missionaries and their parents feel about it. It is also a generous Father's way of letting us give back to Him all that we can in gratitude for all He has and continues to give to us.
We have a trio of APs now in our mission: Elder Morley, Elder Monk, and Elder Jentzsch. Elder Monk will be transferred soon, because he is the senior AP and it's time. All three are great young men and leaders. They just finished planning and conducting our 3 mission zone conferences [Colchester, South Kensington, Milton Keynes]. They make a good team. The other day they came into the office wearing Harry Potter 'Gryffindor' House neck ties -- a sign of their unity. [It IS England, after all!] Here's a photo of them taken that day:
Here's an "exercise" we missionaries in the office "practiced" this week. How about you? What [or rather WHO and what] can you add to this list?
Be OBEDIENT like NEPHI
PRAY like ENOS
TESTIFY like ABINIDI
Be DISCERNING like MOSES
SERVE like AMMON
Have FAITH like the BROTHER OF JARED
FIGHT like MORMON
Have COURAGE like MORONI
Be DILIGENT like KING BENJAMIN
TEACH like ALMA and AMULEK
Be PURE IN HEART like ENOCH
Today we went to our own Sacrament Meeting and heard speakers speak on unity and the Church's program for addiction. Then we caught the bus and tube to the area of Hayes, outside of London, to hear the Campbell's presentation on LDS Employment and what helps are available. The LDS Employment Office is across the hall from our ELM office and the Campbell's are senior missionaries, as are our hosts for the day, the Bird's, at whose ward the Campbell's spoke because it was the 5th Sunday in January. We enjoyed being in a smaller ward and going outside of London -- a chance of pace for us. We went back to the Bird's flat and made burritos and talked and laughed and relaxed. We had a very nice time and enjoyed ourselves very much. There is a great need in the Church today for senior missionary couples, and so many opportunities locally and abroad for those desiring to serve. The Campbell's are in the photo in the left and the Bird's are in the photo on the right [below]. The Campbell's are from Hilton Head, South Carolina; the Price's [above] are from Mesa, Arizona; and the Bird's are from New Haven, Connecticut. We come from everywhere, with similar purpose to serve.
What a blessing it is for the Hawley's to serve. We are grateful we have made this decision and are energized by the work we are privileged to do.
It's a new year, a new week, a new month. More work awaits [thank goodness!], and many more blessings.
We wish all of you many "blessings on your heads" and send you our love.
P.S. Our son and daughter in law shared this poignant story with us about our grandson Tanner, who is six: In our Christmas boxes to our children and and grandchildren we included small [children-sized] paperback Books of Mormon. Inside we wrote our testimonies and added a photo of Nana and Grandpa.
Tanner loves his so much that he wants to give his Book of Mormon to someone who he thinks would love Jesus and His gospel as much as he does. Tanner is a missionary-in-the-making, and loves people, and is following in his parents' [and grandparents'] footsteps. Taught about getting "misty-eyed!" We love you, Tanner!
