Texas servin' Trayners: Just Part of a Day's Work

"If you want to love someone, serve that person. Service is work. It takes effort."

-ELDER VAUGHN J. FEATHERSTONE

Many times, I have been asked the question, "So what is it that you do?" I try not to be offended by the question. Honestly, I never have a spare minute, I am never "caught up" with anything, and I have cheerfully "put on the table of sacrifice" (for a time) many things that I would have been doing if we had not received the call to serve. Although is it difficult to describe a day in my life, I feel that occasionally some people have a perception that the wife of a mission president just doesn't have much to do except follow her husband around and take pictures.

Not true

I have decided to try to describe what may be the impossible- some of what it is that I do. It is important to remember, however, that what I do is not necessarily what the wife of another mission president does. As a couple, each president and his wife- together- find their own way to get the work done. I am grateful that I hold a calling that was issued specifically to me. My husband was called and set apart and I support him. I was also called and I was also set apart as a missionary to serve as the wife of the mission president. I know that I am entitled to my own inspiration and guidance for my calling. Every day, I do my best to fulfill my calling and the responsibilities that come with it. We learned very quickly that our callings do not come with specific job descriptions, but there are needs that must be addressed regularly.

One thing that I do is spend a lot of hours talking on the phone and receiving and sending a lot of text messages and a lot of e-mails, mostly about health issues with the missionaries. Unless another arrangement has been made, the mission president's wife receives the responsibility to watch over the physical and emotional health of all of the missionaries in the mission. Although I think that I was usually successful doing this with my own five children, it can be daunting to think that I am dealing with 170+ at one time. The Lord has blessed me. I have felt His guidance many times as I have tried to help a missionary. Funny thing, I have learned to say the word "diarrhea" a lot without flinching, even from the podium in Zone Conferences. I have taught so many missionaries what the BRAT diet is that I could now teach it in my sleep. I have dealt with dehydration, coughs, allergies, rashes, broken bones, constipation, tumors, heartburn, so many rolled ankles that I couldn't begin to count them, migraines, broken front teeth, many, many ingrown toenails, fevers, road rashes, concussions, aching backs, dog bites, depression, congestion, surgeries, anxiety, the flu, known and unknown viruses, cuts requiring stitches, fatigue, dizziness, sprains, stomach aches, hypochondria etc., etc., etc. I am the one who helps each missionary find a doctor to visit when needed. I enter health information in a computer. I prepare health lessons and teach about good health practices at Zone Conferences and at other missionary meetings.

May I add that when it comes to the health of the missionaries, I'm especially grateful for the help of four people who answer my calls. First to our AMA (Area Medical Adviser), Dr. Bourne (retired) and his wife. Elder and Sister Bourne are full-time missionaries based in Houston and serve many of the "southwest" missions. They are always available to me. Second, to Bishop Mendez, P.A., who is one of only a handful of medical personnel who belong to our church and live within our mission boundaries. He serves the missionaries without a complaint and helps me keep the missionaries on their feet. Third, to my son Nate, who is an emergency room physician in Dallas. He is willing to offer support and advice. He has even occasionally been known to speak with a missionary over the phone. Fourth, to Brother Russell, from LDS Social Services. Brother Russell is based in Houston and makes many phone calls and treks south when needed. Thanks also goes to the great nurses that answer the phones in the missionary department's Missionary Medical. They are always a source of encouragement for me.