Change is Constant

 

Change is the constant in the mission field just as it is in everyone’s life.  Every day brings change of one kind or another.  In the mission you can count on change every six weeks because that is the time when a few missionaries go home and a few more come to the mission.   The numbers vary but even the change of one missionary can cause a domino effect.  Companionships change and “older” missionaries (time in the mission) train new missionaries so it leads to change for many.  The day of departure and arrival is termed “transfer day”.

This day of change has caused me to contemplate change in general.  We roll with these changes most of the time but it can be stressful and challenging at other times depending on the type of change.  Over the last few years, for example, COVID has caused countless changes in our lives.  We learned to avoid being in crowds.  We stayed at home to work.  We didn’t go to church.  We didn’t go shopping.  Social media became a big part of many lives.   I could go on and on.  

The way we react to change is different for each of us.  Our attitude and flexibility can make such a difference.  I read an interesting talk given at a BYU devotional by Randy J. Olsen  titled Perspectives on Change.

In this talk, Brother Olsen says:  “the inescapable truth is that whether we welcome change or dread it, change will occur. Understanding this, how can we cope with those changes that are so stressful? In answer to this question, I would like to offer a short story—a parable if you will.

The Caterpillar and the Butterfly

Here is my version of the parable of the caterpillar and the butterfly:

There were once two caterpillars, one brown and one green, who lived in the same tree and became extremely close friends. Each morning they would find each other and then settle down on a large leaf where they could eat and talk throughout the day. Munching on leaves in the cool shade of the tree, they were as happy as two friends could possibly be.

Then one morning the brown caterpillar awoke to find his friend missing. He crawled frantically from one branch to another looking for the green caterpillar, but his friend was simply nowhere to be found. Sad and lonely, the brown caterpillar finally gave up his search and selected a leaf to eat for breakfast. The next day and the day following that, the brown caterpillar spent each morning looking for his friend but with no success. Gradually he forgot about the green caterpillar altogether.

Then, one late afternoon just as the sun was setting, a beautiful butterfly landed on the same leaf where the caterpillar was resting. The caterpillar had, of course, seen butterflies before, but he had never been so close to one of these beautiful creatures. He couldn’t help but contrast the delicate body and wings of the butterfly with his own thick and clumsy appearance. To his surprise, the butterfly spoke to him.

“Oh, it’s so good to see you again, old friend!” said the butterfly.

“What?” responded the caterpillar in surprise. “Are you talking to me?”

“Well, of course I am,” responded the butterfly. “Don’t you recognize me?”

The caterpillar, puzzled and embarrassed, said: “I’m sorry, but I really don’t remember having met you before. Perhaps you’re mistaking me for someone else.”

“No, there is no mistake,” said the butterfly, “but I suppose that I have changed a lot and so I shouldn’t be surprised that you don’t recognize me anymore. I was once a green caterpillar, and you and I spent many days together in this very tree.”

Looking at the beautiful butterfly, the caterpillar was astonished and asked, “You were once my friend the green caterpillar? But how could that be? How could a caterpillar become a butterfly? That seems impossible.”

“Well, it wasn’t easy,” admitted the butterfly, “but when I was a caterpillar I always believed that I had the power to change if I really wanted to. And to tell you the truth, changing into a butterfly wasn’t even the hardest part. The hardest part was giving up being a caterpillar.” (See also Trina Paulus, Hope for the Flowers [New York: Paulist Press, 1972].)”

Whether we welcome change or fear change, it is a fact of life.  I like to think that change is an opportunity to for growth.  I hope that you will find change in your life a positive and growing experience.

It has been a good week in the mission.  There have been, as always, general and expected illnesses:  stomach issues, headaches, knee and foot injuries on preparation day, etc.  but for the most part all is well.

Tuesday I went to the church next to our office where the Red Cross was having a blood drive.  I donated as evidenced by the above picture.

Rec hall in Chapel with Red Blood Drive

Wednesday, I helped set up and get ready for the new arriving missionaries.  I picked up sandwiches at Subway and helped Sister Klaass.  She arranges the paperwork and other essentials for the training and settling in of the arrivals.  They each meet with the mission president, President Weekes, and those who will be driving fill out forms for insurance, etc.  They meet their new companions and get their assignments and phones for the area where they will be working.  Each area has a phone number that is assigned to that area so every time a missionary is transferred, he/she gets a new phone number.  That may sound confusing. (The “newbies” come straight from the airport and are tired and confused so it is a stressful day for many of them.)

Normal day in the office.  Missionaries working at social networking

Thursday and Friday I followed up with missionaries on calls I had had through the week and prepared my weekly report for President Weekes and for the area medical advisor who is over several missions in the northwest.

Saturday I went grocery shopping, did some laundry, and made taco soup for dinner with Elder and Sister Klaass.  Sister Klaass made mini chocolate cream and pecan pies for dessert.  We played games afterward and had an enjoyable evening.

Elder and Sister Klaass

Sunday I invited the new senior couple, Elder and Sister Crump, for left-over taco soup dinner.  They will be replacing Elder and Sister Mackley who will be going home week after next.

Elder and Sister Crump

I’ve enjoyed my daily morning walks, rain or shine.  Fortunately it was only rainy one day and misty another.  It is generally overcast though.   As I walk the river paths, I saw goose families out for their morning forage.  I got “honked” at but they are only being cautious and protective of their littles.  The littles are of varying ages.

I know that you already know that I love trees.   The pines come in all shapes and sizes.  Here are just a few different ones.

This magnolia liliiflora tree is just outside my front door.  

This trees is beside the office.  I noticed the mistletoe in it this week.  Then I began to look and I see mistletoe in many trees.

Here are some miscellaneous pics of my week.

My favorite salad dinner

These silly turkeys strut their stuff right out into the road.  They are fearless!!

I think of you often and I pray that you will have a good coming week and that you will know that our Savior and Heavenly Father love you. 

I love you my dear family and friends.

I love to go walking.

Sister Klaass walked with me Saturday morning

I have been able to walk every morning this week except I don’t walk on Sunday.  I walked the streets around my apartment on two mornings but I have found that I like the walks and paths along the river more.  It is about a 10-15 minute drive to the river/ponds but it is worth it.  The exercise keeps me flexible and moving so it is a must!

My reminder to slow down!

My neighborhood walking buddies

Looking through the trees down over Eugene

Down by the river

Friday morning sunrise

I found my family street!!  (My maiden name is Terry)

Monday morning I was told that my new apartment would be ready to move into on Wednesday.  However, during the week staying in the apartment where Sister Cornia had lived, I grew fond of the area and the apartment, so I asked President Weekes if I might stay where I was and let the new incoming senior couple have the apartment that had been arranged for me instead of looking for yet another apartment.  He agreed, so Monday afternoon, I unloaded my car into the apartment and began putting things in place.  I finished the move-in Tuesday afternoon.  It is quite cozy and comfortable.

Family pictures and a fire in the fireplace on a rainy,
cold morning make for a homey atmosphere

 It has been a fairly quiet week as the mission nurse. (Next week is transfers and I have found that the week or two before transfers, things are most quiet on the home front.)   I have had a few calls from missionaries who needed advice and help:  a bicycle accident, a couple of colds, headaches, stomach issues, medications, etc.  It makes me happy to be able to help in some way.  For the most part, the missionaries try to be self-sufficient but I am glad I am available when they need to talk or ask a question or two.  I have been able to meet a few of the missionaries in person as they come into the office from time to time.  That is the biggest reason I go to the office to work instead of working from home.  

Thursday I went with Sister Klaass to help move some supplies and things into the apartment where the new senior couple will be living.  We took dishes, pans, lamps, wall hangings, cleaning supplies to get them started, etc.  As I said previously, it was to have been my apartment.  It is very nice but after being there for an hour or so, I am happy I chose to stay where I am. 

Saturday evening, I invited Elder and Sister Klaass to come to dinner.  I made stew and cornbread.  After dinner we played Phase10.  Fun evening!

I was able to meet a few more people today at Church.  The first week I was here, it was conference so no church.  Last week was Easter and there were no classes so mostly in and out without much time to visit.  It was nice meeting some of the members.

This week I have had cause to think about the important people in my life.  I can’t help but realize how blessed I am in so many ways.  I am very grateful for a loving and supportive family and for the friends at home and here on the mission who encourage and support me.  Feelings of gratitude make me happy.

When missionaries are struggling, I often remind them to be grateful.  I’m not positive where I got all of this information but I like it:

I’m now officially the mission health advisor

Sister Cornia, the previous nurse, and me just before she left the mission.

I’m settling in this week – kind of.  I’m not in my permanent apartment yet but by next week, I should be moved in and I’ll be up and running.  The place where Sister Cornia was living has a main level with kitchen and living room but the bedroom and bathroom are downstairs.  

The mission is trying to get apartments for all senior missionaries with no stairs so they had been working on getting a place ready for me for a few weeks.  There have been some hang-ups in their progress but have now got everything arranged for me to move in sometime this week.  I’ll keep you posted.

Sister Cornia spent some time with me on Monday and Tuesday orienting me to the way the mission runs and on specific health issues with missionaries.  I have had only a few calls from missionaries but I have spent a lot of time this week going over records and becoming familiar with the missionaries.  

I had some reports due on Friday so I spent most of Thursday and Friday following up with missionaries and making sure that their problems had been addressed so I could send in my report.  I love communicating with the missionaries!!

In my previous missions, I have worked from home but here I have gone into the office.  The mission president uses an office in his home so I use his office within the mission office.  There is a door on the room so I can close it when I have a privacy issue talking with missionaries.

The president’s office that I call “my  own” 

The mission office outside and inside

It is fun being in the office.  There were meetings and other things going on this week so there were usually a few, to quite a few, young missionaries in the office.  I enjoyed getting acquainted with them.  They welcomed me and made me feel welcome!

I have enjoyed getting to know the senior missionaries in the office as well.  Sister Mackley is the mission secretary and Elder Mackley is over finance.  Sister Klaass is the assistant secretary and Elder Klaass is over cars and bikes.  They all work together on renting and maintaining apartments and assisting each other.  They are a great team and I am happy to join them.

Monday evening, Sister Mackley invited me and John to go with the “office staff” to a “farewell” dinner for Sister Cornia before her departure on Wednesday.

Left to right:  Sister and Elder Klaass,  Elder and Sister Mackley, Sister Cornia, me and John

John and I ate out each night before he left on Thursday morning. I really enjoyed travelling with him and appreciated his company in driving to Eugene.

    

 I checked out of the hotel Friday morning and moved over to Sister Cornia’s as I mentioned earlier.  I still have all of my stuff in my car except for my suitcase and a few things I need to get along but it is nice here.

I thought that you might like to know a little about Eugene.

The Willamette River divides Eugene running south to north so I am always crossing the river it seems when I need to go places. 

From Wikipedia:  The Willamette River is a major tributary of the Columbia River, accounting for 12 to 15 percent of the Columbia's flow. The Willamette's main stem is 187 miles long, lying entirely in northwestern Oregon. Flowing northward between the Oregon Coast Range and the Cascade Range, the river and its tributaries form the Willamette Valley, a basin that contains two-thirds of Oregon's population, including the state capital, Salem, and the state's largest city, Portland, which surrounds the Willamette's mouth at the Columbia.

There are parks along the river throughout the city.  Wednesday I walked at one park by our hotel.  Saturday I went to a different park where I parked on the west side of the river, crossed a bridge to the path on the east side and then crossed back to the west side at the 2 mile mark so I got a good 4 mile walk.

I had originally headed for Wild Iris Ridge Trail which is close to where I’m staying but the trail was so muddy, I opted for a paved trail along the river.  I’ll get back to Wild Iris Ridge another day.  BTW, in case you didn’t know, it does rain a lot here.  Just saying….  I really don’t mind rain.  Once I get settled in, I will be able to walk more dependably rain or shine.  Right now my rain gear is packed in a suitcase in my trunk and I don’t want to dig it out until I have a place to put things.  That’s my excuse anyway.

A bit more about Eugene:  Eugene is located at the southern end of the Willamette Valley, near the confluence of the McKenzie and Willamette rivers, about 50 miles east of the Oregon Coast.  

Eugene is home to the University of Oregon, Bushnell University, and Lane Community College. The city is noted for its natural environment, recreational opportunities (especially bicycling, running/jogging, rafting, and kayaking), and focus on the arts, along with its history of civil unrest, protests, and green activism. Eugene's official slogan is "A Great City for the Arts and Outdoors".  It is also referred to as the "Emerald City" and as "Track Town, USA". The Nike Corporation had its beginnings in Eugene. In July 2022, the city hosted the 18th Track and Field World Championships. 

I love the trees/pines and flowers that are all around.  The beauties of nature make me happy!

Sunday I attended the Eugene 1st Ward where I will be going while here in Eugene.  It is next door to the mission office and close to my apartment.  The people were most welcoming.

Easter is a special time for all of us to acknowledge the sacrifice, Atonement and resurrection of our Savior.  I love and appreciate my Savior every day but I enjoy the music of Easter and the message/reminder of what He did for us.  Elder David A Bednar says it well in a BYU devotional address given in October 2001 titled “In the Strength of the Lord.”  (Click the link to read it.)

In the opening remarks of his talk, he referred to a statement by President David O. McKay who summarized the overarching purpose of the gospel of the Savior in these terms: “The purpose of the gospel is . . . to make bad men good and good men better, and to change human nature”

I quote from Elder Bednar:  “If I were to emphasize one point this morning, it would be this: I suspect that you and I are much more familiar with the nature of the redeeming power of the Atonement than we are with the enabling power of the Atonement. It is one thing to know that Jesus Christ came to earth to die for us. But we also need to appreciate that the Lord desires, through His Atonement and by the power of the Holy Ghost, to live in us—not only to direct us but also to empower us. 

I think most of us know that when we do things wrong, when we need help to overcome the effects of sin in our lives, the Savior has paid the price and made it possible for us to be made clean through His redeeming power. Most of us clearly understand that the Atonement is for sinners. 

I am not so sure, however, that we know and understand that the Atonement is also for saints—for good men and women who are obedient and worthy and conscientious and who are striving to become better and serve more faithfully. I frankly do not think many of us “get it” concerning this enabling and strengthening aspect of the Atonement, and I wonder if we mistakenly believe we must make the journey from good to better and become a saint all by ourselves through sheer grit, willpower, and discipline, and with our obviously limited capacities.

The Atonement provides help for us to overcome and avoid bad and to do and become good. There is help from the Savior for the entire journey of life—from bad to good to better and to change our very nature.  

The redeeming and enabling powers of the Atonement are connected and complementary; they both need to be operational during all phases of the journey of life.”

I know that my Savior lives and that He loves us.  The Atonement of Christ strengthens us to do things we could never do on our own. After all we can do, through his love and grace, we can return to his presence.

I love my Savior. 

I love you my family and friends.