A tough week

Janet(one of my sisters) wrote to me this week and said something that really struck home with me.  I am struggling with some really difficult tasks and sometimes I wonder why it is me that is calling  mission presidents and international travel people to try to figure out visa problems.  I am trying very hard to get missionaries here on time and send out all of the missionaries from Majuro and Ebeye on time, with visas.   I am learning alot and growing in many ways, but sometimes I feel a little overwhelmed with the reponsibility and the lack of information that I have.  The sister who was doing travel here has been gone for three months and I am learning by digging out information the hard way because I wasn't trained on this part. Most of the many different jobs that I do as secretary for the mission I can do very well and I love doing, but I have struggled with the travel and visa problems.I have prayed, work and agonized over this.  Then, I think Janet's message to me was inspired.  Here are here exact works:


" I am still teaching Seminary.  This year is my fifth year, and it is the Old Testament year.  The message that I keep getting from the Old Testament is that life is hard, and it is meant to be hard.  There is no growth in ease.  Those who told us that if we keep the commandment, life will be easy, were either lying or they hadn't had any "hard" experiences yet.  Right now we are studying Joseph, who was sold into Egypt.  He kept the commandments, loved the Lord, and what did it get him?  He was thrown in a pit, sold as a slave, falsely accused of attacking his master's wife, and ignored in prison when the Butler promised to get him out.  He suffered for years.  But he was right where the Lord wanted him and had put him.  So are we.  We are right where the Lord wants us, and he put us here."

I know there is nothing too hard for the Lord.  We can do his work if that is what he wants us to do and I am grateful to be here and be an instrument in His hands.
 I'm not sure what they did before Norm got here; he is really a huge help with all of the financial and technical work.  He is now starting to get computers and internet in all of the seven wards here and get them on MLS. His years of experience are very valuable here. 

We just sent home six of our greatest missionaries at one time this week.  It is hard to see their missions end and leave us; we will miss them. 

Thank you for all of your support and prayers.  This is a great work and we love it.