A Mother's Day Phone Call...

Dear Family and Friends,

I thought I'd share just a few fun thoughts from my phone call from Mikenzie on Mother's Day.  

Last Monday, Mikenzie left the SLC airport for Santa Barbara California, via Denver.  I know.  Go figure.  The best part was that I got to talk to my girl from the SLC airport and from the Denver airport as well.  What a treat!  It was so good to hear her voice.  She was happy, excited and just ready to get busy sharing the gospel.  After speaking to her on Mother's Day, she shared that while at the Denver airport, a kind woman, upon seeing her and her companion's black missionary badges bought them lunch at Panda Express.  She wished them well and told them they would be great missionaries.  (A tender mercy.)

Mikenzie got to California Monday afternoon and were met by the Mission President, President Fernando R. Castro, his wife and their young son.  I received a very nice personal letter in the mail from President Castro with a picture of him, his wife and Mikenzie.  I'm sure Mikenzie must have had lip balm on, otherwise her lips would have just split from the giant smile on her face!  Here's the text of my letter from the mission president.

Dear Brother and Sister Fitzpatrick,

Sister Mikenzie Kathleen Fitzpatrick arrived safely in our mission on Monday, May 6, 2013.  As we met her in the airport she appeared to be in good health, had a smile upon her face and was eager to begin serving in the California Ventura Mission.

She received training and spent her first night here in Ventura.  After breakfast today, we held a transfer meeting, and then she went to her assigned area in Thousand Oaks, California, with her Companion Sister Romero.  Enclosed you will find a photo of her with Sister Castro and me.

Your daughter's permanent address in the mission field is the mission office address, which is 3301 W. Gonzales Road, Oxnard, CA  93036.  There is a normal period of adjustment as your missionary adapts to the mission field, and your assistance during this time will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for raising such a noble young woman.  We already love her as our own and will do everything we can to help her succeed.  We are delighted to have her with us.

I share with you my testimony that this is the work of the Lord and pray that our Father in Heaven's choicest blessing will be upon you and your family as your missionary serves with us in California.

Sincerely,

President Fernando R. Castro

California Ventura Mission

So nice.  I know she is in good hands;  the Lord's and President Castro's.

Anyway,  what a phone call.  I carried my phone around me all day because I didn't have any idea when Mikenzie would be able to call.  Thankfully, I gave Mikenzie a heads up about having to teach Young Women from 3-4 during our phone call on Monday.  She called about 5:15 Sunday afternoon.

After our initial tearful hellos, we learned that Mikenzie is serving in Thousand Oaks.  She is what the missionaries loving refer to as a zebra, a missionary who speaks both English and Spanish because she is assigned to an English speaking ward in Thousand Oaks and a Spanish branch in Oak Wood (?) speaking, of course, Spanish.

Her companion is Hermana Romero from Mexico City, Mexico.  Hermana Romero speaks excellent English and I'm sure will be helping Mikenzie with her Spanish.  Their apartment is in Thousand Oaks.  Mikenzie and her companion drive a 2013 Chevy Cruz to get to everywhere they need to go.  Mikenzie gets to drive because Hermana Romero doesn't have an American drivers license.  She said they do quite a lot of driving covering such a large area.

Of course, Mikenzie had a short list of things she needed, which I was glad to write down.  But I could tell that what is most precious to her is just to get a simple letter or email from all her friends and loved ones. 

When she called, they had just gotten home from their first baptism.  How exciting!  A 70-year old Spanish man who had lost his wife 3 months prior.  Mikenzie was asked to give a talk about the gift of the Holy Ghost.  She said she shared some thoughts from Preach My Gospel and her testimony, all in Spanish.  She said, "I'm not quite sure all I said.  But. everyone said I did a great job."  Way to go Mikenzie!  I love her courage and her willingness to simply jump in with both feet!!  I'm sure everyone there could feel the Spirit and her sweet testimony.

She said that there are a lot of less-active member, and part member families.  But in the same breath, she said enthusiastically, "But we'll fix it!!"  There certainly is a lot to keep them busy!

When our time was almost up, she said, "Mom, I think the Lord is giving me a special blessing.  That blessing is that at night, I am so tired.  So tired, that as I read my scriptures, I think that I better say my prayers before I fall asleep reading.  It has been such a blessing to get right to sleep and not have my mind race while I struggle to fall sleep."  (Tender mercy)  

We told her how much we love her and how proud we are of her and of the work she is doing.  Yes, we both choked up, just a bit.  I can't wait to hear her voice again at Christmas!  But until then, weekly emails and letters will definitely foot the bill!  

Thanks for keeping Mikenzie in your prayers.  I know those prayers are heard, and most importantly felt, by Mikenzie and all missionaries serving around the world.

Wishing you all a wonderful week!

Love, 

Dina

p.s.  What is a Tender Mercy?  I think it's a special time when only you know and feel the Lord reaching out to you, sometimes through someone or something.  You have an understanding that the Lord is acutely aware of you.  I have been the recipient of many tender mercies in my life.  Here's one of Mikenzie's that I'm sure she'd be happy to share…..

"On the first night in California, at the mission office, I saw a picture of the mission president giving roses to new missionaries.  After seeing that picture, all I wanted was a flower.  Dumb, I know.  At the end of the night we were getting ready to leave the stake center to go to our apartment.   The sisters that I were with had a flower, and they gave it to me.  It was a miracle from Heavenly Father and just what I needed!"

Coincidence? Not in my book.  A true Tender Mercy for a new sister missionary who just needed a small reassurance that her Heavenly Father knows her, loves her and is truly watching over her.  What a gift…  Look for the Tender Mercies in your own life.  I promise you, they are there.