Not too long ago we were asked this question “do you recommend seniors to go on a Mission?” The answer is an emphatic, “YES!!! Absolutely.”
There are so many opportunities and ways to serve. Our experience has been a blessing to us. It has been hard work with many very long days. Our assignments require us to be on the road for many hours at a time visiting missionaries, solving problems, meeting church leaders, etc. We’ve bounced around in boats from the time the sun starts coming up to the time is finally fades away in the evening.
There are days that we are totally exhausted when we finally call it a day, but we have solved problems, and we are doing well. Do we recommend seniors to go a Mission?” The answer is an emphatic, “YES!!! Absolutely.”
The office couple is the support team to the President. Because we are here, he doesn’t have to worry as much about the temporal things of the mission. We wear many hats becoming the President’s CFO’S, CMO’S and CEO’s. Because we are here, he has less worry about boating, housing, finance, and vehicle issues. We help him plan activities and then we implement the plan for him. As the office couple, we try to do everything possible to help free up his time so that he can work with missionaries and other church leaders. Consequently, he is not in the office very often, but with the missionaries. He has the stewardship and keys and final say on things. We are just the little guys trying to get the work done and trying to support and sustain him. We try to be a buffer or shield for him because so many things and people can be a distraction to him. Do we recommend seniors to go a Mission?” The answer is an emphatic, “YES!!! Absolutely.” We know senior couples are a blessing to mission presidents.
In our mission, we deal with a third world environment. We have learned to do without many things. Our life style is simple. We have learned with greater clarity that our possessions are not very important. For the most part our cars, houses, and clothing are just fluff to our egos. We have learned to appreciate more the blessing of God, our country, our home, and our family. We feel we have learned to surrender some of our pride, arrogance, and selfishness and roll in the dirt of the streets, so to speak. Bugs and little critters don’t bother us as much. It comes with the territory. Daily plans and agendas are important to have, but being flexible and able to adjust in order to get the work done is more important. Patience and flexibility is the rule. Do we recommend seniors to go a Mission?” The answer is an emphatic , “YES!!! Absolutely.”
Because of our education, background, and experiences over the years, we hope we have been able to accomplish much. Diane is a master teacher and is an example to the branch leaders. Because of her, primary is fun and educational.
She teaches with patience and love. She is the primary leader that the children adore and is their spiritual grandma.
Her lessons are fun, and the children love her. Do we recommend seniors to go a Mission?” The answer is an emphatic, “YES!!! Absolutely.”
Diane’s cheerful personality lifts the spirits of missionaries.
They love talking to her. She is fun and positive. Her teaching skills have been expanded to include secretarial skills, and she is becoming a computer guru. She is the spark if the office, just like home. She’s the silver fox of Tonga.
I’m more mechanical by nature, but I know that my training, my career, and my education have made it possible to get some things done. I know, without being prideful, that I have been a blessing to this mission and to President McMurray. It humbles me to know this. My task- oriented mentality makes possible for things to get done in a more timely manner.
With the help of my boating knowledge, the mission was able to get rid of boats that were not sea worthy. New boats were ordered, constructed, and delivered in record time. The missionaries now travel in safe boats, and we now have more peace of mind.
With the help of my building and remodeling experiences, we were able to justify our request to re-locate the Mission office to Liahona. The floor plan fits our needs, not the ideas of architects in faraway places who don’t understand our needs. I was able to document, diagram, and defend our plans. Our plans were approved and the project is now funded. It will be done at a cost significantly lower than initially projected. We are also solving other housing issues throughout the Kingdom of Tongan.
Have we been beneficial to the mission? Humbly we say, “Yes.” Do we recommend seniors to go a Mission?” The answer is an emphatic, “ YES!!! Absolutely.”
We believe there are many reasons for our being here. We just feel grateful that our training, education, and previous experiences have made it possible for us to be useful. The hymn, “Because We Have Been Given Much” echo’s in our ears. This service (mission) is our way to say, “Thank you Heavenly Father for helping us get through our trials. Thank you for blessing our family when we were hurting or confused. Thank you for lifting us up in moments of despair. We love you, Father in Heaven.” If possible, we consider this service as a “payback time” to the Lord.
We love the people that we work with. People at the Church Service Center are wonderful, talented people.
Our branch leaders are amazing.
They are so involved with multiple church callings (branch and stake). We have become very close to many missionaries. They are like children to us. We love them. When we have a transfer and have to say good bye, oft times it is like saying good bye to our own family at home.
It is painful. Emotions surface and have to be held back. We know that it is possible that when we say good bye, it could be the final good bye because we may not see them again while on our mission, and, probably never again because of where we live and where they live. Do we recommend seniors to go a Mission?” The answer is an emphatic, “YES!!! Absolutely.”
Should those approaching retirement age consider a mission? “Yes!!!” Should those approaching retirement consider accelerating their decision to retire so that they can serve a mission? “Yes!!!” The counsel that we are given before our mission--”your mission will become a blessing to you” has been and continues to be fulfilled. Senior couples can help in so many ways. Do we recommend seniors to go a Mission?” From the bottom our hearts, the answer is an emphatic, “YES!!! Absolutely.”
Love you all
John and Diane
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