End-of-day rejoicings

As we near the end of this phase of our mission (in the future, we'll probably refer to it as our "office time"), we are struck with Heavenly Father's precise timing in arranging the affairs of His children on the earth.

We ended up in the office because there was going to be a gap between the last office specialist senior missionaries' departure and the arrival of their replacements about three weeks later. So we were asked to come and fill in, which meant learning the office procedures as best we could in about a month and then transferring what we had learned to the new office specialists.

Elder Quillon learned how to administer the vehicle coordination portion of the process while I learned the secretarial aspects. Despite his initial misgivings, Elder Quillon became a very effective "Car Czar," knowing how to answer those phone calls which scared us every time they arrived. We prayed fervently that the missionaries would be protected, and for the most part our prayers were answered.

We had good teachers. Elder and Sister Clark worked diligently to get us ready. The other office staff members include Elder and Sister Jones (full-time seniors who will be going home to Idaho in mid-November), Elder Bingham, Elder Coleman, and Elder Quiton (service missionaries. Now the Hadlocks have come with their own set of special gifts and talents. But Sister Hadlock made an observation today during the office meeting that she never fathomed the work that went into supporting the work of the mission.

And I think that is what I am rejoicing over tonight. We've had a chance to see the mission field from the perspective of senior MLS (Member and Leader Support) missionaries working to serve the members of our ward. And now we've also gotten a taste of the office role, which gives us an additional appreciation and has allowed us to better acquainted with our Mission President and his wife and the other truly great people who serve in different capacities.

Before we came, I was told I would have reasons to rejoice. Tonight, I am rejoicing over this newest evidence of our Heavenly Father's tender mercies through the assignments we have received.