A Forgotten Post From Christmas Time in 2020.

Couldn't let the year go by without doing a little shout out for Lexie who continues to valiantly serve her mission in Arizona. Although time in the beginning of the pandemic seemed slow when she first came home cause the borders closed she pressed on and continued to serve the Lord from our home via zoom with her fellow zone missionaries. She truly shined and no matter how challenging it seemed to learn the language from home as opposed to an in person class setting, she was lucky enough to have had some free time after her missionary classes so she can relax and spend time with us. Thanks to a chill and understanding, caring mission president, he didn't expect her to be cooped up in her room all day strictly reading the gospel. Fast forward to today where he continues to be the best mission president and she appreciates him and his wife so much. She is lucky to have them and they are lucky to have her serving in their mission. So proud of her in how she has handled every challenge that has come with this pandemic. She is unstoppable and amidst the challenges she has faced - she has learned to face them and spiritually grow from them. Yup, she is just like me when it comes to facing and learning from hard things because...we can do hard things! 

Eight more months and she's home! Merry Christmas everyone! 

Lexie Lately in 2022....

 

“One of the best things about a church mission is not only sharing the gospel and seeing people’s lives change, but the relationships you develop with the people and the friendships you create with fellow missionaries.” -Lexie

Since Lexie doesn’t share too much online she gave me the ok to post a bit about the beginning of her 2022.

The first week back in Utah was super busy for her. She flew back on New Year’s Eve and had a whole weekend to move into her apartment. Started school that Monday. Was part of a wedding party and a bridesmaid for one of her missionary companions that same week. A lot of crazy firsts but she loves her classes, her new ward, her new place (she has a room of her own) and rooming with one of her old missionary companions, but most of all…she has much more appreciation for her religion classes, and the fact that she has some of her old mission peeps attending BYU is the best!

One Year Church Mission Anniversary!

Today marks one year since our hermanitas mission began and we are so proud of all the work she has done n not only in sharing the gospel but in serving others in the simplest of ways. Serving in Arizona has brought her many adventures and unique experiences. Her emails are interesting and funny and I look forward to reading them every week. There were times where she didn't send one but nonetheless she keeps us posted and the fact that she had Covid and has since then recovered from it recently prevented her from writing so much. But as she wrote in one of her recent emails... the work goes on and advises us to do the same and look for the miracles. To be kind through a smile or a wave. To remind us that we all have the capacity to be a better person and to spread the love out there. I love her so much and she is literally my rock.

Life for her has been very unique these days. Being a missionary during a pandemic has been extremely different for her as it has been for all the missionaries who are currently serving right now. Her and her dad will exchange missionary experiences and talk about how indeed times have changed from when he served 30 years ago-without a pandemic! They have so much in common and it makes me happy to hear them have these spiritual discussions. These missionaries have so much to endure, and because some areas still can't enter into peoples homes have found ways to be creative. Their creativity expresses love and devotion and it shows through her smile in photos and her words in her emails. Her example is a strength to all of us and we can't wait for her to come home to us in six months! 

Lexie Lately: A Farewell To Her First Missionary Companion & How 'Change' Blesses Her Life On Her Mission.

She reminded her of her younger sister Chelsea which is why they got along so well. Yeah, like literal sisters. They each had their own different views but somehow got along. They leaned and learned a lot from each other even when times got hard because isn't that how people...particularly church missionaries spiritually grow? Together. Discussing about who their teaching and sharing the gospel to. Creating. Finding ways to reach out to others in a pandemic especially when they are still quarantined in Arizona. But life goes on, and transfers come. Missionary companions will come and go. Investigators who are interested in the church will also come and go, or stay. And then a new missionary arrives and it starts all over again. Growing and learning something new from each missionary. And perhaps even investigators. Being teachable to every one they meet. Lexie continues to love her mission in spite of change. She knows this is what it's all about and how she sees change as a blessing.

Hermana Cook seemed kind and I for one was glad to have met her via Facebook when I would talk to Lexie. She even wrote me a letter! She was a pretty good first companion but her time has come to transfer and for Lexie to have a new sister! Farewell Hermana Cook! 

More photos below:

Lexie Lately: 4th Of July Weekend!

Talking to Lexie twice a week feels like as if she's still in college and the weeks without her continue to fly by.  I miss her presence in our home but technology is a miracle and a blessing and we absolute enjoy hearing about her week and the weekend on Mondays. We recently talked about the 4th of July and how she celebrated the holiday in Arizona. One thing for sure is that she is the life of a "missionary party." Her photos literally brighten my Monday's when she emails them. You're missing out on her musings which sometimes have grammatical errors but blame that on typing it from her smartphone and the fact that she wants to type in spanish instead of English.  Ha Ha! She probably takes after me in that department! Luckily I get the gist of her emails and they are wonderfully written. 

No matter what her days bring she truly relies on hope and faith in God. In her email last week she mentioned how neighboring communities go all out for the fourth and how united all the missionaries are in her district. She has more ups and fun with her sisters than lows. Even when things don't go as planned after one has lost interest or is not ready in the Lord's gospel her faith is unwavering and she continues to stand tall and love her mission more and more...and she is humbled.

Lexie Lately: 100 Days of Quarantine As A Mission, Four Months As A Missionary But Technically Six Weeks In The Field!

Reading Lexie's emails sparks so many thoughts in my head and because she is my daughter can't help but to wish I can help her somehow. I know I can pray, but sometimes we need so much more than that. And one thing that has helped me is having faith. And I know that hanging on to faith is what helps her. If you read her emails you'll understand why I am writing this.

I know that we all lead busy lives right now whether we work from home or not but for those of us who know all about the missionaries from the church of Jesus Christ and what they do I plead with you to please make time for them.

Lexie Lately In Tempe: Three Months In the Mission Field.

When we spoke with Lexie last week she mentioned to us how she has already been on her mission for three months. "THREE months." Technically she's only been in the mission field for two weeks but she still can't believe that between learning the language in the MTC in Mexico City, being quarantined at home for seven weeks then finally leaving to Arizona it all added up to three months. But who's counting. She continues to shelter in place with five other sisters living in a huge house and her dad even recommended cold calling from a phone book (if they still exist) to share the gospel. Take it from one who did that in the 90's as a missionary with excellent results as well as being a sales guy. Very easy to do if you're fearless! She took him up on that and also connected with people via Facebook and had some luck! They met their goal of five people and two "went to church" via zoom last Sunday! Awesome experiences this sis of ours is having in her second week of her mission. Sure she's had a couple of lows but nothing that she can't handle. Her unwavering faith is amazing and she knows the gospel brings truth and light when it's read and seriously studied with a lot of prayer involved. She has learned that more now than ever before and it shows! So proud of her!

Lexie Lately: Second Time Is A Charm!

It's been seven weeks since Lexie returned home from the MTC in Mexico City and like all other missionaries was waiting to hear when she would be back in the field. We finally got word from our stake president that Lexie's itinerary for travel will be on May 12! That was today and in spite of all the feels she was so excited for this day to come! I'm just so happy that she was spared to spend one last Mother's Day with me! Her time with us has been fun and productive and we made many more memories with her. I know that time will pass quickly and that she will be home before we know it. The Lord is in charge and in spite of the pandemic which is still happening know she will be in good hands. She is needed out in the world and the people of Tempe Arizona will be very lucky to have her  and to know her! She truly is a special spirit and you can see it in her face as we say our goodbyes how happy she is for this day to come!