Today was Krista Jacob's "farewell." She leaves Tuesday to serve in the CA, Anaheim Mission. I know Krista was called to Anaheim for a purpose, known to The Lord who inspired a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles to assign her there. Brother Starling was one of the speakers at today's service. He quoted a talk that was given in October General Conference in 2011 by Elder W. Christopher Waddell. I love this story! I have heard many like it.
A few years ago, Elder Javier Misiego, from Madrid, Spain, was serving a full-time mission in Arizona. At that time, his mission call to the United States appeared somewhat unusual, as most young men from Spain were being called to serve in their own country.
At the conclusion of a stake fireside, where he and his companion had been invited to participate, Elder Misiego was approached by a less-active member of the Church who had been brought by a friend. It was the first time this man had been inside a chapel in years. Elder Misiego was asked if he might know a José Misiego in Madrid. When Elder Misiego responded that his father’s name was José Misiego, the man excitedly asked a few more questions to confirm that this was the José Misiego. When it was determined that they were speaking about the same man, this less-active member began to weep. “Your father was the only person I baptized during my entire mission,” he explained and described how his mission had been, in his mind, a failure. He attributed his years of inactivity to some feelings of inadequacy and concern, believing that he had somehow let the Lord down.
Elder Misiego then described what this supposed failure of a missionary meant to his family'. He told him that his father, baptized as a young single adult, had married in the temple, that Elder Misiego was the fourth of six children, that all three boys and a sister had served full-time missions, that all were active in the Church, and that all who were married had been sealed in the temple.
The less-active returned missionary began to sob. Through his efforts, he now learned, scores of lives had been blessed, and the Lord had sent an elder from Madrid, Spain, all the way to a fireside in Arizona to let him know that he had not been a failure. The Lord knows where He wants each missionary to serve.
I know that the Lord wants Jack and me in South Carolina. At one time, I thought I knew why, but for whatever purpose, He wants us here, and I pray that we will be equal to the tasks that He wants us to accomplish. :o)
Hi, my name is Javier Misiego the former missionary that you mentioned in your post from Elder Waddell's talk. I must say I am honored you used my story in your blog post. When this occured to me it truly felt like a giant tender mercy. This experience testified to me that mission calls are inspired from God and that He cares and loves those that devote their lives for Him and His children. The missionary that baptized my dad will never forget that moment and neither will I because it will serve us as a constant reminder that he sends tender mercies and that there are no coincidences inside the Gospel. I wish you the very best and pray that you and your loved ones receive all the blessings our Father has for you in this life. God bless and carry on! :)
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