I love her approach of focusing on the light in Nigeria, instead of whining about the discomforts.

The internet definitely makes the world seem smaller. This summer I watched while a missionary translated the first blog I wrote about Beata on the Segullah site into Polish, so that Beata could enjoy her brief connection with the LDS sisterhood on Segullah. One of the comments on that post was from the wife of one of the missionaries that Beata had mothered in Lublin. Cezary showed me how Beata keeps track of dozens of her former missionaries and their young families through Facebook. It brings her lots of joy and makes her feel less isolated in Lublin. I even promised Beata that I would finally join Facebook, so I could be part of her internet family.

Probably the thing that stands out to me most is that Beata’s righteous desire on Christmas Eve was not for her husband to find a job, or for him to get well, or to even feed herself; the desire of her heart was to feed others.

It reminds me of a gypsy that we had an appointment with on my mission in Bulgaria. Elka. When we came into her apartment, her hands were shaking as she cut up a head of cabbage. It was the only food she had been able to get for her family for 3 days.

Now I know that we weren’t supposed to use our missionary fund to feed people–but we couldn’t let her go hungry! We left and came back with tomatoes, cheese, bread, eggs, potatoes–more food than she had seen in weeks. Her little boy’s eyes grew wide and as we came in he pointed to us and said “Mommy look–BREAD!”

And then Elka whipped into action. Pulling spices out of thin air and energy from anticipation, she chopped, seasoned and fried. And when it was done she wouldn’t touch a bite until we (2 fat, overfed Americans)had eaten first. When we asked why, she said “If I give–I will always have.”

So, what do I know? I know that we are watched over, cared for and that we are never alone. I also know that the Lord will not require or allow us to suffer 1 minute (or second!) more than is needful to transform us into something worthy to meet Him. Nothing we suffer is EVER wasted. It is all masterfully orchestrated into knowledge and power that stays with us forever.

“This life is not supposed to be about me anymore. Not in my head and heart – it is about Him and His work. Easy? Goodness no! Rewarding? when I let it!” – Traci

“It’s scary to do things without really knowing how they’re going to work, but my faith keeps growing as I keep stepping into the dark.” – FoxyJ

“But just when it seems that all hope is lost, our prayers are answered and blessings rain down from the heavens.” – Aimee

My favorite scripture: “Faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.” (Ether 12:6) It’s what keeps me stepping out into the dark too. – Jenny

“Without my trials, I plead with less fervor and seek answers less diligently. I rarely notice the presence of angels in my life when I feel less urgently in need of them. In comparing my meager parenting to the Lord’s infinite parenting, I know that there are experiences I will allow my children to weather themselves (like hitting their head on the underside of the coffee table as a baby) because they will only be able to learn by that experience. Is it possible that our trials make us more teachable? That has definitely been most true for me. I have seen the works of God made manifest in my life and those around me. It is so often how I know what I know.” – Angie F.

“Comparisons between my life and others’ are at a minimum. This is my unique life, when I allow myself to take comfort at the intimately personal nature of my trials then I am more likely to put my hand in the Lord’s as I walk the rocky path. After all, that path has some amazing views that are wonderful to share with him.” – Jendoop

“I know that we have a Heavenly Father who knows us to our core — much more than we know ourselves — and loves us more than we can comprehend. He listens to us in our prayers, and even in those times that he can’t give us what we’re asking for, he *will* bless us with tender mercies to make the rocky path easier. The hard times help us gain compassion, faith, wisdom, eyes to see his arm in our lives, dependence on him, and understanding of power of the atonement. All of these things are necessary for us, not only here and now, but in our post-mortal roles.” – Strollerblader

I was pondering Faith without Fear’s story about the woman calling from Minnesota to give her an update on her missionary son. It reminded me of the missionaries in Lublin telling me that they couldn’t imagine having to work in Lublin without Beata and her family. It made me wonder if God intentionally placed mortal angels in unfruitful parts of his vineyard, to strengthen his young missionaries who labor there. A sweet sister in Germany, who had also fed six missionaries on Christmas Eve 2008, emailed all the mothers (including me) photographs of our missionaries acting out the Christmas story on Christmas Eve with her family. We received that e-mail on Christmas Day and it made me cry. I know my mother also makes a special effort to nurture the missionaries in Minnesota because she hopes that someone is doing the same where her grandchildren are serving.

Then Catalina’s comment dovetailed with my thoughts:

“Counsel me not; I knew that it was a poor spot of ground; wherefore, I said unto thee, I have nourished it this long time, and thou beholdest that it hath brought forth much fruit.” (Jacob 5:22). I realized that we are all planted where we will best flourish – and it isn’t always in the best conditions. The important thing is to simply trust our Heavenly Father. – Catania