TENDER MERCIES AND MISSION MIRACLES

 TENDER MERCIES AND MISSION MIRACLES

I feel like added blessings are given when mission calls are extended, both for ourselves and for our family. This is an area that will be ongoing throughout our mission. I want to record some of the beautiful mission miracles right here. Learning to recognize the Lord's hand on a daily basis helps us see His workings with us personally. We are so blessed and truly watched over.

During the Summer - Prep Time

-Kyla with all the children barely missed being hit at busy intersection as they were crossing with a stroller and a little bike. Car slammed on brakes and stopped just 3 feet away. (Aug. 30, 2025)

-I was able to get to the right doctor who could get me in for some needed surgery in the very short window for that to happen. It was a miracle to be able to fly to Virginia the very next without any complications. Mary‘s home and her TLC were exactly what I needed, and I was able to carry on without hardly a glitch and with others outside of the family being none the wiser (just didn't want that additional attention and interaction). I was very blessed to be able to regain my energy quickly and have a surprisingly fast recovery. Final follow-through was only the week before we left, with a "no-problems, green-light go ahead!" (July 16, 2025)

-Jon and family moved back to Utah from Georgia at just the right time without it even being coordinated with mission timing. Jon has been an absolute lifesaver with helping Jim in the work transition and with coordinating our home care while we are gone. We simply don't know how it could have possibly worked out otherwise. (June, 2025)

-I felt the "time-stretched miracle" all through the summer. "The list" just kept growing instead of diminishing, but every day was approached with faith and priorities. With a household of people, I was blessed with an increase of peace that I could stop and enjoy those relationships more on a daily basis without sacrificing too much on the personal preparation needs. In addition, I was able to get all my primary music resources organized to share with our ward, not a little job but a great service to contribute! It did indeed all work out well. (summer 2025)

-Our hearts are overflowing with the response and outreach of our family. The relationships have deepened tenfold with the outpouring of love. The support and love is phenomenal. This is a blessing above blessings. (summer 2025)

MTC

-After a miscommunication on needed vaccines, we discovered that our mission might need to be delayed for even up to 6 months to get that in order. Ugh! That just simply could not happen! We did some big time investigating and praying, and rather than waiting for the results of a suggested test (which would itself take a few days), we decided to go that very night to receive the first in a series for the accelerated hepatitis twinrix. Not all pharmacies had it, but the Costco by us did. The second dose needed to be taken 7 days later. This put us on the very day we were flying out. We got it literally on our way to the airport. We were prompted to learn about and act right then. Even one day later would have delayed us because they wanted us to have at least 2 of the doses before leaving the country. The MTC nurse seemed very relieved and happy when we reported our course of action. It still needed another approval, but that was no problem now. (Sept. 8, 2025)

-We were assigned another senior couple to work closely with as we learned to teach the Preach My Gospel concepts. We spent extra time with them as new friends, as well. And guess who were assigned to? A sister originally from Hong Kong! She joined the church about 3 years after I was there and later served a mission herself. Wow! As soon as we hit on this big binding connection, we were off and running with excitement! Inspired match. (Sept. 9, 2025)

-Simple tender mercy - an elder stopped us that recognized the Khmer letters on our nametags. He said that his brother was serving in our mission right now! Fun coincidence! About 15 minutes after leaving him in a sea of hundreds of missionaries, we were wishing we had taken a picture with him to share with his brother. We walked back over to that building, and he was literally coming out of the door at that moment. What are the chances! Then when we got to Cambodia, his brother (El. Weiss) had a birthday just 2 days later, and we were able to send that special personalized greeting to him. (Sept. 11, 2025)

Cambodia

-On our first day here, we went to the Church Service Center so the Clarks could pick up some ordered materials. Imagine my surprise when I met Neth there!! She lived with Lyndi Reed 12 years ago in our ward. I knew I wanted to meet up with her soon but didn't have her contact info yet. Wow!! And now she is heading up the church humanitarian projects here. She may be one whom we will want to be in contact with about our service opportunities. Small world! (Sept. 17, 2025)

-We happened to be right by the elders' place in Kamboul when the sisters called and asked if we would be able to assist in a blessing for a new member who was in the hospital (Bong TeeDa). It was a spiritual high for us. The timing was the tender mercy - we very easily could have been too far away. (Sept. 24, 2025)