Things You Should Never Do On Your Mission – Part 4

The ‘Memory Lane Series’ follows some of the more unusual experiences I had on my mission over 30 years ago. These stories are meant more as a light hearted view of one missionaries life, but I am sure that there are some important principles locked away in one or two of them somewhere…

_________________________________________________________________________

7. Never let your new companion (fresh out from the USA) ride the streets of Australia ahead of you.

Here’s another companion/bike story. This one will forever be etched in my mind as a true miracle.

I was blessed on my mission to train one of the most amazing missionaries I have ever known. When she was passed into my care, I often mussed that I should be in her care more than she in mine. Her preparedness as a missionary was outstanding. She literally hit the floor running and had such an enthusiasm for the work that I was often fed and motivated by her.

For the uneducated, in Australia we drive on the ‘other’ side of the road. I am tempted to say the right side of the road, but that would confuse even more as we actually drive on the left side of the road. But for me that is the right side of the road.

So when new missionaries arrive on our shores down under, it is often a challenge for them to adjust to this new order of things.

I remember on several occasions explaining to my greenie companion the importance of taking care as we rode the streets of our area. I suggested that, when riding our bikes, it would be best if she remained behind me for the first little while – at least till she got used to it.

For the most part she took care to do this. But for some reason on this particular day there was a real enthusiasm on her part. As I laboured to pedal up a fairly steep main road I noticed that my companion clearly had a bit more oomph than I did and she very quickly pedaled past me. I wasn’t too concerned as I knew that we were headed for a right hand turn up ahead, and she would have to stop to wait for oncoming traffic before proceeding across it. I knew I would catch her up before then.

I have heard that when someone is close to sudden death that their life flashes before them in lightening speed. But in this case, as an onlooker, it was quite the opposite. It was like everything was being played out in slow motion, and I was watching it all unravel before me.

I watched as my companion made no effort to stop before making the right hand turn. She maintained her momentum up the hill and swung out across the road. She clearly didn’t see the wall of cars that was heading down the hill towards her at considerable speed.

There was absolutely nothing I could do. By all calculations that wall of cars was going to hit her head on. The distance between the center of the road and the road she was turning into was only slightly less than the distance between her and the oncoming cars. If she had been driving a car, then I think she could have made it. But on a bike, her speed was much slower, and therefore logic stated she had no chance.

Stunned and paralysed, I braced for the worst possible outcome.

Words cannot convey my astonishment as I realised that she had somehow, miraculously reached the other side without connecting with any of the oncoming cars. By all reasonable calculations there was no way that those cars could have missed her.

I still can’t explain why, but I don’t need to. I know that the Lord was truly looking out for His missionary that day and that a miracle had just occurred. It was also at that stage I knew she had a great future before her – both as a missionary and a future mother in Zion.

<<Back to Part 3 of Memory Lane<<

<<Back to Part 2 of Memory Lane<<

<<Back to Part 1 of Memory Lane<<

Things You Should Never Do On Your Mission – Part 3

Part 3 of Memory Lane Series. It is here that I reminisce about the funnier and more unique experiences I had on my mission over 30 years ago.

________________________________________________________________________

5. Never assume that everything an AP says is true.

When I served my mission, even tho’ I was older than most of the Elders out (and in some cases more mature), I always had a deep and abiding respect for the two Elders who served as Assistants to the President (AP). Not that I didn’t have respect for all the other Elders, as silly as many of them could be, they had my respect for the mere fact that they were sacrificing two years of their lives in service to the Lord. In my book, there is nothing more worthy of my respect.

However, the roll of AP seemed to carry with it something really special. The Mission President had chosen these two Elders to assist in the workings of the mission as a whole. There was a lot of responsibility placed on their shoulders as leaders, and the pressure was never off them. They were expected to maintain the roll of AP – speaking assignments, Zone conferences, assisting the President in determining where missionaries will serve and with whom etc – as well as continue to meet the same kind of missionary goals that all of us were expected to achieve; their load was huge.

On this occasion I remember hearing from family at home that one of my friends there had just received her mission call, and was coming to serve in the APM. My excitement was barely contained. I really loved this young lady, and had a very high regard for her. What an amazing missionary she would make, and maybe, just maybe, we might get to work together one day as companions. I shared these thoughts with many of the missionaries I worked with. They too were excited for me, and anticipated the day when this sister would come into the mission.

My excitement brimmed over one Sunday evening at a missionary fireside, and I just had to share this with one of the AP’s. This Elder had been one of my Zone Leaders in the past, so I knew him fairly well, and felt confident that he would share in my enthusiasm.

With dismay I listened to him respond (and I remember his exact words to this day), “Sis. Maine, you will NEVER get to serve with this sister as a companion”. I was shattered…

He explained that it would be wrong to put two people together who were friends from home, and that it would cause more problems than it was worth. He then listed all the things that were wrong about it.

It took me several days to get over the disappointment of his statement. But I eventually did.

However, my excitement was still on a high when I heard that she had finally arrived in the mission. I rejoiced in the knowledge that she was there and doing the work.

I still remember the joy in my heart when, just one transfer after this particular AP had returned home from completing his mission, they announced that my new companion would be my friend from home. I knew then that you could never assume that what an AP tells you is true.

6. Never pass up a chance to have your companion sing to you.

For those who have served a mission, you will agree that there are always some really low points to it. Now, on the whole a mission is probably one of the best experiences a person can have in their life, and on returning, there is not often many negative experiences that you would remember. The good experiences far outweigh the bad.

But I do remember some really low points to my mission. Times where I really struggled with feelings of rejection and disappointment. Hey, the scriptures teach that there is opposition in all things. Without the bitter we would not appreciate the sweet. So there was certainly always a purpose for this.

I was really blessed to have had amazing missionary companions. If you were to ask me which was my favourite, or which was the best, I would not be able to tell you. They were all so very different, but all offered something to me that I needed and learned from at the time. I love that about a mission. The Lord blesses you as much, if not more, than you can ever repay Him.

So one of my companions was the best at something that I needed more than anything at the time – singing. We lived in an area that was incredibly hilly and difficult to navigate. It was also in the middle of winter, so at times it was wet, cold and miserable. Sometimes this was ok, as we loved to stomp in the puddles and make the most of it. But, on many occasions I would find myself grinding the peddles of my bike, homeward bound through teaming rain, tears streaming down my face, wondering whether it was all worth it. There were some dark moments in this time of my life.

Somehow tho’, I was always able to find my way out of it when I remembered to ask my companion to sing. There were many days where you could see two wet and bedraggled missionary sisters walking the streets of Perth, Australia with one of them singing “How Great Thou Art” at the top of her voice. Oh, that was just what I needed on those days. Her clear, beautiful, vibrato voice ringing out praises, filled me with such love and hope.

Now, whenever we sing that song at church it takes me back to those days. Not in dread and remorse, but in thankfulness and joy.

<<Back to Part 1 of Memory Lane<<

<<Back to Part 2 of Memory Lane<<

>>Forward to Part 4 of Memory Lane>>

Things You Should Never Do On Your Mission – Part 2

Memory Lane Series

Here is Part 2 of the Memory Lane Series. It is here that I reminisce about the funnier and more unique experiences I had on my mission over 30 years ago.

_________________________________________________________________________

3.  Never underestimate the faith it requires for a 62 year old to take the lead

     on a bike.

Sister missionaries come in all shapes, sizes, and ages. That’s one of the blessings as a sister missionary; there is no age limit for service. Well maybe there is, but sisters certainly have greater age latitude when it comes to serving a full-time proselyting mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

So it wasn’t unusual to me to be assigned a senior sister missionary in the latter stages of my mission. What was unusual was that at age 62, my companion insisted that she be treated like any other sister missionary, which meant she would be riding a bike.

While I struggled with this initially, it was not long before I realised just what this sister missionary was made of.

It didn’t help that the area we were working in at the time was actually about 2.5kms (1 ½ miles) from our flat (apartment), and then it was another 2km ride to the actual suburb we were working in. Summer was upon us, a particularly hot one at that, and we were positioned in one of the hilliest areas of the mission.

But even with all these things going against us, she was determined to face each daily challenge with determination and enthusiasm. So much so, that it was hard for me to keep up with her at times. Each morning we would get on our bikes and she would take off ahead of me, eager to get to our area and start work.

Maybe it was pride on my part, but I often found my enthusiasm assuage and my pride intensify as she accelerated away from me each day. Who was the senior companion here anyway? Well, yes, she was old enough to be my mother, so that made her the senior companion. But actually, in terms of the assigned companionship, I was the designated senior companion. I had been out the longest, and I had been assigned the senior roll. So why was she taking the lead all the time?

I look back on it now and wonder what the fuss was all about. Who cares? We were there to do the Lords work, and who went first really didn’t matter in the over-all scheme of things. Had I not learnt anything on my mission?

But what really astonished me about her enthusiasm and determination was her absolute focus on her goal. Each day, as she got on her bike, her head would go down and her legs would start peddling, and basically not stop till she reached her destination (from the rear it was actually quite a comical scene). This non-stop action included her navigation of the many hills in the area as well as the busiest roads on route – there was simply no stopping her.

On many occasions I would look up from my frantic peddling to see her barrelling across a six-lane dual carriageway without stopping to look or avoid traffic. In her mind, she was on a mission and she was not going to stop for anyone! How did she survive? I suspect faith, but I really can’t tell you.

What I do know, for the three months we served together, that enthusiasm and determination never let up. Indeed, she completed her mission with the same consistent, enthusiastic, faithful, focus.

What I can tell you tho’, is that her bike riding times were soon to be over, as you will find out in #4 of this series, but not from any kind of reckless riding on her part…

_________________________________________________________________________

4.  Never learn to drive on your mission

Under normal circumstances I guess I would find my companions bike riding habits somewhat easy to come to terms with. After all, she was fit and sprightly for a 62 year old, and was keen to get out and do the work. Indeed, as the previous story illustrates, she was not going to let anything get in her way of doing the work.

But what she failed to alert me about was that, in spite of the fact that she was sprightly and in good general health, she actually had a heart condition. Can you imagine my horror when she revealed this to me one morning as she lay in bed stating that she was not feeling well because she was having heart palpitations?

Discussing the situation later with our Zone Leader, and then the Mission President, it was decided that the only solution was to put us in a car.

The only problem with this solution was that I didn’t actually have a drivers licence, and she refused to drive because she didn’t feel safe driving at her age.

Yes, you heard me right!

She could jump on a bike and peddle for almost 10 kms every day without lifting her head once to see if the traffic was against or for her. But she couldn’t get into the safety of a car and drive because she felt she was too old…where is the logic in that?

Solution to problem?

She had a licence, so she would be the designated driving instructor, and I would be whisked down to the nearest Road Traffic Authority (RTA) by the Elders to get my learners permit.

It was one thing for me to pass the written test for a learner’s permit, but another to get behind the wheel of a manual car and drive it around the streets like I knew what I was doing.

I had attempted the driving test twice before my mission, and failed both times – and that was in an automatic. Now I had to contend with gear shifting, which was not something that came naturally to me. My only comfort was in knowing that the Elders had promised to teach me if I managed to pass the written test.

How did that go?

My journal from the time states, “I passed the test! Then they [the Elders] took me to some quiet streets to give me a crash course in driving a manual. I was nervous and embarrassed…[but] before I knew it I was shifting gears with no worries. They then had me drive from their place over to ours (while they followed in their car). That meant driving along several main roads. I was hesitant at first, but thought ‘why not’. I did a pretty good job. The Elders left us at home with the car and that was the end of my driving lessons.” Welcome to the world of driving I say….

N.B. About 5 years ago, last I heard, thus mentioned senior missionary companion was still meeting life (at over 90 years of age) with the same determination and vigour as her mission years.

Hope you enjoy my reminiscences. Please don’t forget to leave a comment so I know that you have visited and enjoyed my stories.

<< Back to Part 1 of Memory Lane <<

>>Forward to Part 3 of Memory Lane>>

>>Forward to Part 4 of Memory Lane>>

Things You Should Never Do On Your Mission – Part 1

 Memory Lane Series.

I was lying in bed the other day reminiscing about some of the funnier, and more unique experiences I had on my mission. Within a minute I had come up with at least 10 things. I kept having a bit of a giggle to myself over them and wondered if anyone else would find the humour in them.

As a result I have come up with a new idea for a series – Memory Lane. It is here that I will begin my reflections on things you should never do on your mission – from my perspective.

I also figure that after 30 years, they have probably passed the test of time, and can be considered narratives of a time gone by.

Each week I will share two of these things, and will continue until I run out.

Hope you enjoy them

_______________________________________________________________________

   1.  Never take a shortcut home through the cemetery when it’s dark.

In my first area, our flat (apartment) sat at the back of the town cemetery. I have never been superstitious about these kinds of things. In fact I really love cemetery’s, especially from a photographers point of view. And the standard statement our family makes every time we drive past any cemetery is that we have just passed the ‘dead center’ of town (haha, right?). 

But one of the things I learnt never to do on my mission was to walk home through a cemetery at night. You never know what will pop out from behind a headstone.

On this particular night we chose to walk our bikes through the cemetery on our way home from a long day of tracting. I guess we were just too tired to ride the long way round, as our weariness got the better of us.

Unknown to us, the Elders had decided to meet us at our flat that night to get a report on our days statistics and activities. Now, I’m not sure how they worked out that we were walking back through the cemetery, but what I do know is that as we walked through – pitch dark and quiet – two very tired and vulnerable sister missionaries were scared out of their brains as two dark suited elders emerged from behind a very big headstone making very strange ‘dead person’ noises (not sure what kind of noises dead people make, but it sounded like it that night).

Needless to say, we never did try to walk through the cemetery at night again. We figured that if two well-meaning missionaries could pull off such a prank, then there was every chance that some other not so well-meaning person could do the same, with less humorous outcomes.

________________________________________________________________________

   2.  Never make the Elders so mad that they break the car window.

Every missionary plans for the day (or days) when they will face opposition. It comes with the job, and cannot be avoided. But they never think that the opposition will come from other missionaries. 

On this occasion, it was very close to Christmas, and everyone was in the festive mood – including the elders. There is something about the Christmas season that makes you just want to come bearing gifts and offering service to everyone and anyone – especially on a mission. This was not lost on the elders, so one day they turned up on our doorstep with the fantastic idea that, as a gesture of Christmas cheer, we (being the sisters) could make cookies and cakes for their (being the elders) investigators.

Our first thought was that we could combine our efforts, and actually come up with some great treats to share with all our investigators. But no, from the Elders reckoning, we would make all produce for their investigators only.

On that understanding they then drove off to do some ‘real’ missionary work, declaring as they drove out that they would be back to pick it up when we were finished.

Can you picture the look on our faces?

But, as every good missionary learns, ‘Obedience is the first law in heaven’ and since they were our Zone Leaders we got down to the serious work of baking and decorating.

Fast-forward…and that afternoon the elders returned as promised. We felt proud of our culinary efforts, and satisfied by a job finished and well done. We were now ready to focus on our investigators and do what we could do to wish them a Merry Christmas.

So it was with some amazement that we heard the elders suggest we needed to come with them to deliver the goodies to their investigators. We were perplexed as to why they would need us to come with them. But, obedience was the rule of the day, so with some reluctance we jumped in the back seat of their car and travelled with them – all the time trying to put on a cheerful and festive face.

Driving along, our patience and long suffering were really put to the test when they further indicated that they would be staying in the car while we hand delivered the goodies to the doors of their investigators.

This was really the end of all attempts to obey. I know, I can hear you saying, “But what happened to the part about obedience being the first law in heaven?” We just couldn’t play along any more. This was just too ridiculous. We had never met any of their investigators, so felt sure that had we been the deliverers, they would wonder who the strange women were bearing festive gifts on their doorstep. Besides, slavery had never been a pre-requisite of serving a mission.

So we flat out refused to do their bidding.

I would just like to say at this point, that I learnt a lesson that day. When people are pushed to the edge, you often discover their true colours.

Elder #1 was so taken back by our refusal that he found some kind of super human strength at this point. He bounded out of the front seat of the car, opened the rear door and insisted that we get out and deliver their cookies to their investigators. Refusal again…

Before we knew it, the plate of goodies was swiped from our hands and the rear door returned to the closed position – very rapidly and with great strength (remember the bit about the ‘super human strength’?). We were then greeted with the sound of shattering glass as the entire door window disintegrated into tiny shards of very pretty, sparkly glass bits. A bit like snowflakes actually…Christmas had arrived for my companion and I, as we couldn’t contain the laughter – Christmas joy.

All we could think about was how the Elders where going to explain this one to the Mission President…

N.B. I would like to conclude this little narrative with the comment that since that festive experience, my companion and I have felt the need to repent of our disobedient ways. We both believe that we should have obediently followed through on their request. The blessings could have been without number if we had. Can you imagine the coup we could have pulled off, if we had met each of their investigators? We could have doubled our teaching pool in just one afternoon if we had thought this thing through  ;-)

>> Forward to Part 2 of Memory Lane >>

>>Forward to Part 3 of Memory Lane>>

>>Forward to Part 4 of Memory Lane>>