Dear Families of the Great Missionaries of T.H.E. Mission,
Sister Crawford and I thank you for your son or daughter who is serving so faithfully in the Texas Houston East Mission. Over the last two months I have had the opportunity to interview every missionary and then to join with them again in Zone Conferences. We love to meet with the missionaries to feel of their tremendous spirit and dedication. My only regret is that I don’t have more time to spend with then in interviews.
As you are aware, they are constantly challenged with rejection, hot and uncomfortable weather, isolation in some of our more rural areas and the normal grind of missionary work. Often my biggest concern in my discussions with missionaries are not those previously mentioned, but when they compare themselves to other missionaries whom they assume have it more “together” or are having more “success” than they. As a mission president, I am constantly trying to lift and inspire them to do things that are not necessarily normal for people of their ages; to be purpose driven, to self sacrifice in their normal desires for the desires of the Savior, to be accountable, to be productive with their time, to work hard and not slack off no matter how hot and miserable it may become. I admonish them to be obedient so their “endowment of faith” will increase and miracles will occur and convert baptisms will follow. However, I also spend time helping them to understand that if they are doing all they can do and “success” does not follow, then they are just fine and they must continue to be faithful and “wait on the Lord.” I constantly remind them to see the hand of God in all things, both in blessings and in difficult times because we have great lessons to learn from both types of experiences. I would ask you to do the same. Ask them what they think the Lord is trying to teach them in both the successes and the disappointments. Great lessons on life are there if the missionaries will take the time to reflect and think deeper than just the moment.
I appreciate your great support of your missionary son or daughter. I hope you are at peace and assured that we love them like our own. I never would have thought that possible before the call to serve, but it is true. I am constantly amazed at how it all works, that love regenerates and expands without limitation or restraints.
As always, we appreciate your faithful prayers for your loved one, their companions and for the mission. We give you our love and gratitude.
President and Sister Crawford
Here is the August newsletter for the mission (There is a picture of Elder Viitanen is in this newsletter):
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And the latest health newsletter:
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