The flight from Salt Lake to San Diego was short but seemed like an eternity. I chatted with the people next to me and tried to picture what the mission field would be like. I was very anxious about the expectations being placed on me as a new missionary. As the seventh missionary in my family, I wanted to carry on the family tradition of service, but fears and self doubt flew through my head. Would I ever be able to carry on an intelligent conversation in Spanish? Would I know what to do? My chronic perfectionism was kicking in overdrive.
We landed in San Diego. I walked off the plane and down the escalators. At the bottom, I could see my mission president and his wife, recognizing their faces from photos I had seen in the MTC. President Donaldson greeted us with a big smile and a friendly handshake and Sister Donaldson wrapped me up in a hug. It was official–I was a bonafide missionary.
From the airport, we went to the mission home. The rest of the day was a blur, lots and lots of meetings. While everything was going on, President Donaldson started meeting with each of us to talk about what we could expect and address any questions we had.
When he met with me, I got my first real clue that something was in store for me.
“Sister Voyles. Are you afraid of feedback?”
“No,” I said.
He laughed and said “Okay, good. You don’t know it, but that answer is the reason things are going to change a lot in your life.” He paused and then explained that he was making some interesting changes and my first area would have some unique aspects. He told me that I would learn more later. Already overwhelmed with all the changes I was handling as a new missionary, I didn’t ask any further questions.
Meeting my trainer
Next, I went with the other newbies to the transfer building to be assigned my companion for my first area.
If you’ve never been on a mission, let me explain what this all means. A companion is another missionary you’re assigned to do missionary work with. The period of assignment is measured in six-week increments called “transfers.” You may be assigned to a particular companion for one transfer or longer. You never know.
During the transfer, you spend 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with your companion. You live in a house with them (and maybe other missionaries), work, talk, experience joy and happiness, pain and sadness, etc etc, all for at least one transfer together. Then it’s on to the next one. Receiving a companion assignment is like being assigned a sibling. It’s heavy. I think it’s common for missionaries to get anxious about getting a companion assignment. I know I did. I always prayed for a good one. Your first companion in the mission field is called a “trainer,” because they introduce you to how the mission works on a day to day basis.
That day when we newbies got to the transfer building, a group of missionaries was there waiting for us. They looked like experienced missionaries who really knew their stuff. I felt like a wannabe. After 8 weeks of MTC training classes, mock discussions with Church members acting like non-members, and very structured activities, I could only hope to one day be as confident as these missionaries.
President and Sister Donaldson came in and started assigning us newbies to our trainers. I was so anxious to meet my new companion.
Then they called my name. “Sister Voyles! You will be with Sister Zaldivar.” I looked around to find her among the group and saw a beautiful sister missionary who seemed to shine with happiness. She ran over and gave me a huge hug. I knew immediately we would be great friends.
We sat next to each other to watch the other companion assignments unfold. Sister Zaldivar leaned over to me and quietly explained that we were assigned to work in Chula Vista as English-speaking missionaries. Our District would be an interesting mix of missionary companionships.
President Donaldson called out the other companionship assignments for our District –
- A Spanish-speaking Elder and English-speaking Elder were assigned to work together in an English area: Elder Christensen and Elder Moreno
- Another Spanish-speaking Elder and Tongan-speaking Elder were assigned to work together in an English area: Elder Murray and Elder Tuituu
- An English-speaking Elder and one of the Mission President’s Assistants were assigned to work together: Elder Hepworth and Elder Bott
Elder Bott was assigned to be the District Leader.
After the assignments were made, everyone was chattering excitedly, but I had no clue why. It was only my second day in the mission field, and I had no idea what was going on.
President Donaldson told us that we would hear more information later about our special purpose as a District, but for now, we needed to get busy doing missionary work.
So we did.
sistervoyles.com 