Nuts and Bolts of Missionary Work

Although this is not our first mission as a senior couple, there are many things about missionary work we knew little about when we were called to serve in the California Anaheim Mission.  Called as MLS missionaries, but reassigned by our mission president to work in the office as housing coordinators, we had much to learn.  We could not have foreseen how much satisfaction we would find in the "nuts  and bolts" of missionary work in this area.  Here are a few examples that make our service meaningful:

   -  Securing and renewing apartment lease agreements for fair prices that allow missionaries to have clean, safe places to live.
   -   Keeping contracts up to date on IMOS, the church computer system, so that the mission financial coordinator can arrange for Salt Lake to make monthly rental payments on time.
   -   Maintaining rental spreadsheets in zones and areas that allow the president to make informed missionary assignments and transfers to best serve the wards and stakes in the mission.
   -   Conducting periodic apartment inspections to encourage habit of tidiness, health, and safety that will help missionaries stay clean and healthy now and throughout their lives.
   -   Keeping cleaning supplies, cooking utensils, and other items stocked in the mission office for missionaries to pick up and use in their apartments.
   -   Learning to repair vacuum cleaners, replace belts, and fix light poles, lamps, tables, chairs and chests of drawers owned by the mission.
   -   Installing and testing smoke alarms and carbon monoxide sensors to ensure missionary safety.
   -   Ordering parts and fixing appliances, refrigerator doors, and microwaves owned by the mission.
   -   Working with leasing offices to make certain that carpets are periodically cleaned and other maintenance agreements upheld.

Some of the missionaries in the California Anaheim Mission

Pat and I have enjoyed completing these assignments in housing that help the missionaries in their work.  We love interacting with the young missionaries whenever we see them -- in the office, on the streets, in their apartments, or at church.  They lift our spirits as we try to assist them. The two other senior couples in the office have similar experiences working with the missionaries while caring for mission automobiles and bikes, referrals, finances, and secretarial duties.

We also enjoy attending the Anaheim 4th Ward, where we have weekly visitors attend our meetings while coming to Disneyland.  This is a very diverse and inclusive ward with a wonderful welcoming bishop.  As an assistant clerk for memberships, I have the opportunity to work with Pat and the ward leaders to welcome and assist members moving in and out of the area.

Two weeks ago I called on a young man in his early 40s who hadn't been to church for several years, though he had previously served a mission to France.  He is a USC graduate, and since I had previously worked at USC, we had much to talk about, including Tommy Trojan and USC football.  We also talked about his mission, the recent dedication of the Paris Temple, his life and goals, and his love for the gospel.  Last week he came to Sacrament meeting on his own and remained for the Sunday School discussion.

One of our joys is taking a 17 year-old young woman to church each week and giving her weekly lessons on gospel topics.  She has a baptism date set for her 18th birthday this fall.  She is full of love and excitement for the church, reads the Book of Mormon, and is looking forward to her baptism.

Another unexpected blessing from our mission to Anaheim is that our apartment is located only two blocks from the University of California Irvine Medical Center, where I have been seeing an outstanding Rheumatologist, who has helped me overcome some issues affecting my hands and fingers.

There are so many blessings that come to senior couples serving missions.  Anyone with even the slightest interest in serving a senior mission should contact the LDS website for senior missionaries at    https://seniormissionary.lds.org/srsite.   This website allows members to search listings by service priority, length of service, monthly cost, geographic regions, language, and whether special medical care is required.  There are 30 different kinds of full-time missions available, as well as numerous part-time service mission opportunities.  Each mission is meaningful and unique, with many unforeseen blessings attached. 

Perhaps the greatest blessing of our mission has been the closeness Pat and I have felt in our marriage while serving others full-time.  We have stayed in regular contact with family members by phone, internet, and Skype, but we have especially appreciated the unity we have experienced working as a couple, planning, talking, and serving the people we meet each day.  We also treasure the time we've had together to take in the good weather and the unique culture of Southern California.

   --  Don