Over here in Montana, we have been in lock-down for about 1.5 weeks.! We have received SUCH love and support from our ward members, my goodness! It is almost overwhelming, hahah. They have really stepped up ministering, to us specifically. We couldn’t leave the apartment because I was ill all last week, so many stopped by to provide us meals and to help out with food storage and supplies… might I say, we are QUITE prepared for anything that happens, most particularly on the food side of things. We will not be starving, that's for sure! It has brought me such comfort and peace to know that though I am not well acquainted here, so many are watching over us and caring for us. I often overflow with gratitude when I reflect on it all.
It has been a pretty bland, yet exciting week! Bland because I was resting or sleeping most days (I was pretty wiped out and delirious), but don’t worry, I didn’t have the Corona I promise! It was a bad sinus infection or something. Anyway, it was exciting because of all the sessions of limbo and waiting for the next urgent instruction to come out. This time of isolation has definitely been one of reflection, meditation, and coming closer to God in new ways. For that I am grateful! I have had some wonderful studies when my brain wasn’t so foggy and THAT was wonderful.
It is hard not to know what our specific purpose and goals are -- with there being no church, no physical lessons, and no traditional ways of reaching people. So much is up in the air! I didn't even feel like I knew what I was doing or when it was "normal" missionary work. Ah. I have recently been on the path to peace and reconciling to the new situation (thanks to President Nelson’s address in the April 2020 ensign, reflecting on my patriarchal blessing, and the supportive words of friends and family).
Our situation as missionaries now encompasses technology…My nemesis. I have been running away from technology for my whole life! I am not a huge fan, heheh. I am certainly grateful for all of the wonderful things it provides for us, but I have a difficulty with how it can consume lives. As I have many of you know, I live for authentic and deep connections with others whereas technology has always seemed shallow to me. Not only that, but it seems to take people away from the present moment -- precisely where they could make the most meaningful connections and impacts. This is why I tend to overcompensate and write novels! I try to make sure that my true thoughts, feelings, and care are getting across, or I fail to respond at all because I freak out or something… heheh, whoops.
The point I am getting to is that we need to utilize and even rely on technology for the time being, and I personally have to come to terms with it. The Lord has said that He will use the creations of man for the furthering of His work and I am want to be a part of that! I will adapt to how the Lord needs me to share His light and His love. He has always got to keep me on my dang toes!
I want to share what my mission president shared with us missionaries in the Montana Billings Mission recently:
You may feel that this is unfair (LIFE’S NOT FAIR! and that is one of the reasons we have the Atonement of Jesus Christ) or untimely. In life, you will find that things will rarely align with our preconceived time frames. The Lord knew that this was going to happen when you were called, and already had a plan in place for you. Stay faithful, and be “Worthy, Willing and Capable” of doing this and anything else the Lord may ask you to do or require of you in your life. That is how I have always tried to look at my life, and the advice and counsel that I have always given to others. Be Worthy, Willing and Capable.
All over the world today, as in times past where war, famine, civil unrest, disease and natural disasters (wow, all signs of the times and precursors to the Second Coming of Christ) have occurred, the missionaries are abruptly, unceremoniously, and surreptitiously pulled out of their missions and either returned home or reassigned. We are not the first to experience this, and we WILL NOT be the last. So, when people ask you about your mission, be proud of the time you have served and say that you served in the time that was affected by the COVID-19 Virus, and everybody will understand and respect you for the challenges that they know we all endured, and regardless of the personal effect on us individually, as a mission family we overcame. It is and will always be regarded as an historic time. What an adventure!
Let us bind together in love and unity, and uplift each other no matter what our circumstance may be. Remember the words of our true and living Prophet, President Russell M. Nelson who teaches us “The joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives.” Don’t lose your focus.
I echo these words to you all as well.
Let us come closer in this unique time, let us strengthen our bonds with heaven and with one another.
I again invite you all to reflect on how you can strengthen your conversion* to the Lord. Reflect on how you can come closer to Him and bring others closer to Him.
I love you all dearly.
💛 Sister Alger
Getting out of the apartment!!!
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