Cinderella

Elder Merrell has described his role in the Mission Office as one similar to Radar on the sitcom, M*A*S*H*. I have thought long and hard, to come up with a character that describes my role and I keep coming back to the same one...CINDERELLA

...in Grand Central Station!

A typical day for me includes sitting at the computer, entering baptisms; sitting at the computer, creating a multitude of files for incoming missionaries; sitting at the computer, working on the weekly and monthly reports, the mission history and the newsletter; sitting at the computer entering more baptisms and writing and sending letters to missionaries, to parents, to bishops and to Stake Presidents.

Sometimes I get a break from the computer as I answer telephones; work on release books for outgoing missionaries; file paperwork, and direct traffic to President Haleck's office, which adjoins ours.

All of this is happening as elders and sisters and visitors pass through the office almost constantly, sometimes with emergencies that need to be taken care of immediately. I try to visit with everyone who comes in, without appearing too anxious to get back to my tasks, but sometimes, I just have to get back to work. All around me, people are coming and going, but I am pretty much confined to the Mission Office, unless I slip away to move a load of laundry along...seriously!

...Does that sound like Cinderella to you?

Sometimes I feel that way. (I confess that I have prayed to have the burden lightened, like the followers of Alma did in the Book of Mormon.)

On the other hand...Cinderella is a princess!

And sometimes I feel that way.

I am greeted with a warm welcome and handshake by every missionary who comes into the office. As I slowly learn the names and faces of each missionary serving in Samoa, I am amazed at how quickly I am growing to love them all.

The other senior couples that serve with us are also becoming dear, dear friends.

I am also thrilled to count as my friends an assortment of chickens, roosters, cats, geckos and pigs that are now a normal part of each day.
And, I do have my occasional "night at the ball..."

...One Saturday, the Eves took us to a fireside put on by the missionaries serving in Aleisa Zone. Four sisters and seven elders worked incredibly hard to put on a truly wonderful presentation about the Plan of Salvation. I returned home filled with joy and gratitude.

Cinderella really doesn't have it so bad at all...

AND...I can't leave out Prince Charming! (insert picture of Elder Merrell...someday when he lets me take his picture..)

One of the greatest blessings I have had while serving this mission is to work alongside my eternal companion and see him in a different setting than I am used to.

I always knew he was a hard worker. (Insert picture of the Energizer Bunny)

And I always knew that he was well-organized. (Insert picture of completed 5000 piece jigsaw puzzle)

But it never occured to me that I would come to admire those qualities so much... or that I would develop a desire to be more like him in some of the very characteristics that used to drive me crazy.

Cinderella it is, then!