Dallin's inter-mission

As if things couldn't get any crazier, Dallin's home! (Didn't think I needed to bury the lead on that one.) Hundreds, possibly thousands, of missionaries returned to their native countries during the last week. On March 22, the church released a letter stating that this was possible. It cited growing uncertainties in travel allowances and unknown safety issues that this current pandemic poses to our missionaries. At first, Dallin's mission president informed us that there were no plans to send the Dominican missionaries home; however, a couple days later that changed. We were notified on Monday, March 23, that he would be coming home and early in the morning on March 26th we picked him up in Salt Lake. We were able to speak with him that Monday before he came home. We had all just received the confirmation that he would be coming home. Dallin simply stated that he felt numb. He wasn't sure how to feel. He has handled this whole situation like a champion, but I have to believe there is some frustration in the unknown and definitely sadness in having to leave a mission he loved. He has arrived home to a 14-day quarantine. We put him up in the camp trailer outside and have had to practice social distancing as we wait to see if he contracted the virus in his journey home. It has been really tough on Jonas, who just wants to hug and tussle with his big brother, but it has been good as well. All the boys (Jonas included) have increased their individual scripture study in preparation for companionship study with Dallin. Danny actually has his buddy back, which helps with his feelings of isolation. We still have dinner together every night and find ways to interact from a distance. Honestly, I don't know if I can keep him out in the trailer for the 14 days. We're hoping after day 5 (when the virus usually manifests itself) that we can allow him inside the house, but he still wants to have the trailer available for studying because of all the distractions inside. I wish I knew what was going to happen next (maybe it's best that I don't). I wish we had more answers than questions. Supposedly, Dallin will be reassigned to a stateside mission after the 14-day quarantine, but even that is uncertain. What is he going to do? Move from socially distancing himself here to socially distancing himself in some apartment somewhere with a new companion? Dallin hasn't been released, but if he's not going to return to the DR, shouldn't he be released to be re-called to another mission? The re-assignment keeps being classified as a "temporary" reassignment. We hope Dallin gets to return to the DR, but his mission president didn't think that would be possible. Honestly, only the Lord seems to know Dallin's mission fate at this point. I'm sure the leadership of the church is also pleading to know how to proceed. I'm pretty sure there isn't a precedence for this. I believe that God is in control. I believe things happen for a reason. We have all found peace in that, but it is hard to hold on to that peace as the storms rage around us.

Interestingly enough, on our way to the airport to get Dallin, Jeff and I listened to a Come Follow Me podcast from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In the podcast, the hosts were discussing the story of the Brother of Jared in the Book of Ether in the Book of Mormon, specifically when the Jaredite people were preparing to cross the waters. The Lord instructed them to build boats that were "tight like unto a dish". The Brother of Jared then inquired how they would breathe or have light. God permitted that they cut holes in the top and bottom for air, but when Jared inquired again about the light, the Lord threw the question back at him. The Brother of Jared needed to come up with the solution as to how to light his boat. God told him he could not have windows because the boats would be swallowed up in the sea by "mountain waves". The Lord assured the Brother of Jared that he would protect them and bring them "out of the depths" then admitted that "the winds have gone forth out of (his) mouth, and also the rains and the floods (has he sent) forth." Why didn't the Brother of Jared simply ask the Lord to not blow so hard? Why couldn't he have requested that the rains and floods be a simple trickle of water? The Brother of Jared could not change the situation the Lord created because they both knew the winds and rains were necessary to propel them forth on the waters, so Jared was stuck with how to light the boat. We are in a similar situation. For a myriad of reasons, a storm is raging (the pandemic). I'm sure many of us have pleaded with the Lord to blow softer or stop the rains, but in His wisdom, He has not. Now we are left with trying to figure out how to light our boats. How do we illuminate our homes with His peace? How do we cast this light for others to see? How do we kindle His flame in our own hearts? How do we light the boat? In finding answers to those questions I truly believe that we will be able to metaphorically see the hand of the Lord in our lives just like the Brother of Jared did literally.

I keep thinking to myself that I can't wait until this is over. I keep wondering how much more we can take. I keep casting my mind towards better days past and hopeful days in the future, but am I missing something in the present? I keep thinking that there couldn't possibly be anything else that could go wrong...and then I wake up! We've had a 5.7 magnitude earthquake hit Utah. Luckily, there were no reported deaths but there was some destruction and lack of power for a time in the Salt Lake area. We've recently had a robbery and stabbing in our quiet little West Mountain. One of the Latino missionaries in Dallin's mission was killed yesterday in a car crash. We assume he was heading to the mission home to be evacuated as well. Two other elders were injured in that crash. There have been other natural disasters worldwide in addition to this pandemic. Sometimes it's hard for me to find the peace I seek. I worry about my family. I worry about Dallin. I worry that "normal" will never be "normal" again. Then I pray. I read the scriptures. I listen to religious music...and I find peace. I still don't know if I really know how to light the boat, but I'm trying. I'm trying to discover the blessings of the present and His tender mercies that I know have to be here. I have found joy in the many methods of technology that allow me to stay connected to family and friends. I have enjoyed having Jeff around more (even though he is still working on an as-needed basis). I have loved finding ways to creatively entertain Jonas and continue his learning even with school canceled. I have found joy in the blooming flowers and budding trees of Spring. I have found peace in the quiet power of a sunrise. I am choosing to treasure this time with Dallin (even if it means at some point I'll have to say goodbye again). I am choosing to keep my family close. I am choosing to find fun in the mundane. I am choosing to find peace in the chaos. I am choosing to find ways to light my boat.

To begin the pictures in this post, I feel like I have to include pictures from his last area. He spent 3 and a half transfers (a transfer is 6 weeks) in Puerto Plata. At this point, Dallin has only had two areas in the DR - Constanza (where he stayed for 2 transfers) and Puerto Plata. He loved both of his areas, but Puerto Plata was becoming a fast favorite. Here is where he really felt like he got a command of the language and could connect with the people. He was teaching several people, had several baptisms, and was making friends with many people in the ward. It was a much different area than his first. Constanza was the highest point on the island. Puerto Plata is right on the beach! He was definitely feeling the heat and humidity there...on top of all the rain! However, it was a bigger area with more amenities because it was a tourist location. He served with two companions in this area: Elder Rossberg and Elder Lyons, with most of his time being with Elder Lyons. Here are some highlight pictures of his time there:

Like I mentioned before, Dallin came home early in the morning on Thursday, March 26th. It was quite an adventure to get him home. They literally had limited time between being told they were leaving and being picked up to go. They gathered all the North American missionaries first. There were over 90 elders and sisters packed into the mission home the night before they drove to Santo Domingo the next morning. Dallin's flight flew from Santo Domingo to NYC to SLC. It was a long day for him! During that time, Jonas decided we needed to throw Dallin a party. We made posters, grabbed tons of goodies, and stocked/cleaned the trailer. They were only allowing parents of the missionaries to go to the airport, and even then, we weren't allowed inside. We were to go to the second floor of the short term parking garage and wait in our cars until we saw our missionary come out. It was such a weird experience. Obviously, we weren't really supposed to hug or have too much physical contact with our missionary to reduce any chance of contracting the virus that he or she may have picked up in his/her travels, but I still hugged my son...then we were pretty strict with the social distancing thing. We brought him back to the house and out to the trailer. We are still trying to navigate this whole "inter-mission" thing. He is trying to keep a schedule, and we are trying to keep him busy. Jonas LOVES having him home. It has been hard for him not to hug or get too close to Dallin. Every morning, he wakes up and runs out to the trailer to find his "favorite" brother. Dallin, Danny and Jonas have been doing companionship study. Jonas exercises with Dallin. We all went snowmobiling together. We have dinner together every night...in the shop. Our ward had a little "Welcome Home" parade for him as well. Several families loaded up in cars and drove by our house (as well as a few others from our ward) to wave hello and welcome Dallin home. It brought tears to my eyes as I saw these incredible friends and neighbors! I miss them! Life is weird but good. We hope we will eventually get some answers, but for now we're finding joy in our journey.