I borrowed this off of Keith's writings. Thought you'd enjoy seeing into the interview process. He writes with so much passion - nice break from me!
Recently we have been active in
interviewing the missionaries. We have been asked by the Church to interview
all Elders and Sisters quarterly. It is really a big job, and I try to
spend 15 minutes with each missionary. That 15 minutes, times 165 missionaries
means over 40 hours kneeling, praying, talking, listening, wiping tears,
comforting, rejoicing, and many more sentiments. I wish I could spend
more with each missionary…and in fact, some who need to talk take a longer
time. If they have a serious problem, I reschedule them so I don´t have all the
missionaries waiting for their turn.
We interview
in meetinghouses in the different zones in the mission. I find a room,
set up a table and place my computer, keyboard, scriptures, Preach My Gospel,
note pad, phone, etc. Susan greets them in another room, and visits with
them as they wait for their turn. This time we found pop tarts at Walmart, so
we brought a toaster, and they have a treat as Susan talks to them about many
miscellaneous subjects, from the 2nd coming, the tribes of Israel,
to hair loss, marriage, food, and happiness, etc.
I like
to interview about 4 hours at a time, trying to be done before the “comida”
(the time the missionaries get fed by the members…about 2 PM). So,
it takes about 10 days to finish the interviews. We give each missionary
a time to be there, then ask them to just come 15 minutes prior, and leave as
soon as both are done, thus not wasting their missionary time. However,
they still get there in bunches and love to visit with “Mama Stutz” as she is
affectionately known in the mission. Plus, they just love to see each
other. When Mom has a non English speaker, she talks a mixture of English
and Spanish, and so does the Elder, so they visit and laugh.
I have to
tell you that it is an honor and privilege to be with them. The times flies by.
I have to have a clock on the table to help me stay on schedule. I kneel
with the Elders, but we have been asked not to kneel with the Sisters.
I
always like to offer the prayer, because I like to ask Heavenly Father for
blessings for this Elder or Sister, as they listen and pray with me. What
I have learned is to ask them, before we pray, what particularly I can ask
Heavenly Father in my prayer for them. This, sometimes, is a poignant
moment. They have asked me to pray for their Mom who is having surgery,
for a sibling on a mission, for their disabled brother, for their Grandma in a
coma, for a Dad who lost his job, for their parents because they are getting a
divorce, for a dying brother, for a sister with anorexia, for investigators,
for their companions, for their ward and their area, for peace in their heart,
for forgiveness, and etc, on and on. Often we both have tears in our
eyes, before we pray. Many times, as I listen to them, I have
written a list, and have to open my eyes and peak during my prayer. Most
often, we feel a particular spirit during the prayer and I am prompted to say
and ask things that I would have never thought of myself.
Often,
during interviews, I imagine I am with Jake, Zach, Luke, or Gunnison, soon…in
the not too distant future, to be on missions, and think of their Moms…far
away, hoping that they are being taken care of. Every Mom wants the best
for their missionary son, so when I am with their missionary son, I think of
images of my daughters.
One thing I
have learned on the mission is more awareness of the promptings of the Holy
Ghost, and then acting on them. I can´t even count how many times He has whispered
to me to lay my hands on their head and give them a blessing. These are
“tender mercies”.
A
while back in an interview, after the prayer, an Elder told me about his
disabled brother, and talked about him with tears in his eyes. I asked
many questions, then decided that we needed to kneel again together, and each
took a turn to pray for his brother. It was such a great feeling to do
this with him. That took up the whole interview. I hugged him and he
cried on my shoulder! He reminded me of that moment when I interviewed
him for the last time just before he left on his mission.
The other
day, as I interviewed an Elder, nearing the end of the interview, I felt like
there was something he was not telling me. As I talked to him, more, I
just asked if there was anything he needed to tell me. Tears rolled down
his face as he related to me a transgression. We talked and I helped him
through it. We were both blessed by listening to the Spirit.
Today,
I interviewed a new Elder from Monterrey, Mexico. He has been here for 4
months. He was born “in the covenant”, and lost his Dad at the age of
9. He just wanted to talk about how much he loved and missed his Dad. He
said that is Dad was so kind to him, was a Bishop who everyone love, and was
being interviewed and considered to be the Stake President when he passed
away. Elder C. cried as he told me how he would just love to see his Dad
again. Then he related the following to me.
“Last week
when you gave us the chance to do a temple session, I was hoping to just feel
my Dad´s presence, just for a moment. Before going to the temple, I prayed so
fervently. During the session, there was an empty chair by my side.
For a time during the session, I was so surprised and blessed to feel my
father´s presence, like he was sitting in the chair beside me. I could
hardly believe it, but I felt like it was real. That night, I had a
dream, and in the dream, I saw my father. My Dad always called me “mi
niño” (my little child). In the dream, when he saw me he called me “mi
muchacho” (my boy) because I was grown up. He told me he knew I missed
him, then told me that he has always been by my side. He told me he was
so proud of me for coming on a mission, and that he walked with me each day.”
I needed a
box of Kleenex for both of us!! It was very sweet.
So many
times as I visit with Elders and Sisters, and listen to their concerns, many
scriptures come to mind. We read them, and discuss what they mean, and
what do we think the prophet writing them really wanted us to know. One
sister today was stressed that she was going as hard as she could go, she was
weary, she was not seeing the success she wanted, and was worried about pleasing
the Lord. I shared with her D & C 10:4, and Mosiah 4:27. It is
pleasant to help the missionaries come up with their perceptions of the
scriptures and way to solve problems. I try to be a good listener.
Mom (Susan) always reminds me to let them talk!!
One sister, so wonderful, told me today that she has been sick for almost
3 weeks (stomach stuff), but has not wanted to tell me. She has just been
working as hard as she can…sick!! We felt so badly for her. She
tries to “press on” feeling yucky, not wanting to bother anyone. Gave her
a blessing, and tonight I called a gastroenterologist that we have been using,
so we can get her healthy.
An
Elder today, told me he was teaching a family who wanted to get baptized, but
they aren’t married. He has been talking to them and encouraging them to
make the commitment to be married, but the Father is not sure he wants to marry
his “wife.” The Elder said, “I did not know what to say because I´m
just a kid and know nothing about marriage or marriage counseling. I have
no life experience of marriage.” Then I asked him if he had a Mom and
Dad! He was puzzled and said, “sure”!! I asked, “Did they love each
other?” Were they kind to each other, kind to you, did they dedicate
their lives to their family, etc. etc. ?” Then he caught on…” I do know
about marriage, and family life, and the blessings that come from a family with
commitments and love!” I reminded him…Heavenly Father has given you lots
of experiences from your own life…use them!!
Well, I
could go on and on with the stories and concerns they share. They all
come from so many backgrounds, families, countries, cultures, and even types of
“Wards and Bishops” (many being disfunctional!!), so I have to listen a lot,
pray, follow the spirit, and act and help as the Lord would have me.
Many many
times after the interviews, I share and consult with “Mama Stutz”, and we
jointly ponder and make decisions to subsequently help particular
missionaries. I am so thankful I am not alone in this calling. She
adds a “fullness” to what we do. Yep, she is great!!!
Well,
that is enough for now. Sorry it is so long. Susan and I are very
blessed. We often just do not know how we keep going on so hard.
Often after a short night, we head out the door again in the morning, telling
the Lord that we cannot go on without his blessings.
What
gives me strength is know¡ng that all my kids, little grand kids, my family, my
friends, parents and missionaries pray for us. Many put our names in the
temple….for which we are so grateful.
We are
on the Lord´s errand, and we know we can do this…we often have to remind
ourselves that we can. I rely heavily on Susan, the Lord, and just “sure
will”.
