Hardings in Halifax: A Volunteer Hospital, Part 2

I had to laugh as I read Elder Hardings last account of his trip with Nelson to close two missionary apartments --- what an adventure they had! Life is never boring in the mission field, that is for sure.

I thought I would just take a few minutes and write some more about us all being volunteers in a Hospital. Elder Harding and Nelson were definetly volunteers in the Hospital, meeting needs and doing things that needed doing, and having some fun along the way, despite opposition.

Back to this thought that I mentioned previously, that President Leavitt shared at a meeting:

"In the mission field, it is like being in a volunteer hospital. Sometimes we are the patient and sometimes we are the doctor, nurse or administrator. Through our participation in this exercise we not only assist in healing others but in the process heal ourselves" .."for he that shall lose his soul for my sake shall find it" President Leavitt.

A Returned Missionary spoke in church three weeks ago, about a man that she and her companion had taught on her mission. She said that when they first started to teach him, he had a LOT of things to overcome, then she stopped and just repeated, a Lot! She said that he struggled and at times would feel like he couldn't do it, it was just too hard. One day, she told him that on his own, he would not be able to overcome these things, but with the Lord's help and faith in the Lord, he would be successful, so he got on his knees and humbly asked God to help Him. And, she said, God began to work in his life, and to heal him. He was finally able to change, to give up his many addictions, and to be a different person.She said it was a miracle for them all.

How many times have we been in need of the Atonement, of Gods help in our lives. We are all in such need, at different times in our lives, and then at other times, we are called upon to be the one that strengthens and gives help.

Last week was a challenge for some missionaries in our mission, there were some "emergency" mid-transfers that had to happen. As our District met for District Meeting, it seemed as though many of the young missionaries came in sort of discouraged, maybe because of things happening around them, or for other reasons, but the Spirit told me right away that I needed to speak up in the meeting and help strengthen these young missionaries that day. So, as the meeting went along, I tried to listen carefully to what the spirit was telling me to say, and then said it --- things began to change as we let God's insight and spirit "heal" and lift us all back up. Also, our District Leader, a young man who is only on his third week as the DL, got to his feet, and spoke calmly and in a straight forward manner about things that needed to be talked about ---- it was wonderful to watch. I marvelled at how things changed in that room ---- it went from a definite feeling of some discouragement, to laughing at ourselves a bit, feeling the spirit, and being lifted up again. As the Missionaries left, they were happy, chatting with each other and ready to face the world again.

I leave you with my Testimony that Christ is the Great Physician and as He turn to Him, He can and Will, heal us and will even allow us to assist in healing others, as we listen to and act upon His wise counsel. As President Leavitt said, through our participation in this, we not only assist in healing others, but in the process, heal ourselves!

There is an amazing story of courage and healing that you can read online, about a young man named Glen Cunningham, born about 1909, who was badly burned, told he would never again walk, yet never gave up --- in 1934, he ran the mile in four minutes, 8 seconds, the worlds fastest indoor mile! His story continues to inspire, encourage and "heal" as he went from being a patient in a hospital, to the equivalent of a Doctor, who assists in inspiring and healing others through his personal example.

"They who wait upon the Lord shall mount up as on Eagles wings"

On a lighter note, here are some things that we saw and did on the weekend, eating some excellent seafood chowder, in a chilly restaurant where we had to keep our coats around our shoulders,