Happy New Year!

My parents as missionaries in Bristol, England

It’s hard to believe that 2021 is in the books and we are beginning another orbit around the sun.  In many ways, let’s hope that the pandemic begins to abate, that political tensions inside our country will be reduced, that a higher level of civility will begin to blanket all our citizens, and that nations might work together for the benefit of the world.  All these things are possible if we put Jesus Christ at the center of our lives.

This edition will be a little different than most.  All the prior entries were about our mission experiences, this will be mostly about an experience my parents had when they served back in 1987-88.

With the new year comes yet another birthday. This was a little more difficult to celebrate as the leading digit on my odometer increased.  However, the day started off unexpectedly when I received a very pleasant message from someone I met briefly about 15-20 years ago.  (How long has it been?)

The story begins in Bristol, England where my parents were serving a mission.  One of their assignments was to visit the less active members of the ward, to befriend them and help them return to activity in the church.  They met Petra, and over time she returned to activity!

I may have a few of the facts a little mixed up, but from what I remember, Petra then reactivated her mother, and together they started working on Petra’s sister, Andrea who was then baptized.  I do not know how many, but one or more of Petra’s sons served a mission.  Andrea attended some of the single adult activities and found her eternal companion.

Fast forward to nearly 20 years ago.  Liz and I were traveling with Gary and Rhea Pitman in Bath, England.  On Sunday morning, we went to church at 9:00, thinking that was a good time for a meeting to begin. When we got there, the building was locked and there were no lights.  So we started walking away.  When we were about half a block from the church, one of us turned around and saw a sister walking up the steps to the chapel, so we quickly returned.  We asked when church was scheduled to begin and she said, “oh, in about 5 minutes!”  So we went inside and helped to setup chairs for Relief Society and Priesthood meetings.  During the RS meeting, this sister leaned over to Liz and said, “McAllister..…do you have any relatives that served a mission in Bristol?”  The sister was Andrea, Petra’s sister!

Andrea (left) and her sister Petra

I was very familiar with Petra’s reactivation story as my parents had written home about her.  I also knew others had returned or joined the church because of her, but I couldn’t remember their names.  It was gratifying to see the work that my parents had started so far away from home!

Andrea and I have been in touch over the years.  A few years ago, she emailed me saying that part of Petra’s diary had been published into a book.  (Sadly, Petra passed away several years ago).  As part of her diary, she wrote about my parents and their influence on her and her family. 

One of the last things Andrea sent me some time ago were pictures of my parents as they were serving as missionaries in Bristol.  It was a great way to start the new day and the new year, reflecting on the example of my parents.  I wrote her a message back and then she replied with “the rest of the story.”

The following is part of her response:

I was thinking this morning that if your parents hadn’t served their mission I probably wouldn’t have been Baptized. That was the result of Petra’s hand firmly pushing me toward the gospel! Now (I) have served as RSP x 3 times. Primary Pres x 1, YW Pres x 2 and now I am the Stake Communication director for the fourth in the world friendship centre for refugees in London! Much love to you both xxxx

I’d like to learn about the World Friendship Centre in London.  That’s for another day.

The takeaway is we rarely find out what we do or say that will impact someone for good. And that impact may have eternal consequences.  If my parents were still around, they would say that their 18 months of service was well worth the sacrifice.  I am grateful for the example my parents set for me and my siblings and my children.

As office couples, we do not have the opportunity to get involved with someone who is learning about the church.  However, the Elders did invite Liz and me to a new friend, Jane, whom they met about 2 months ago.  They invited us because it would not be appropriate for them to go visit a single woman at her home.  So we attended a few of their lessons.  She attended church and the ward was very warm and welcoming.  The sister was touched by the people and the teachings she heard and was baptized today!  She asked me to baptize her, and Liz gave a talk on the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Jane and the missionaries who taught her

After, we invited her to our apartment, along with the Elders, for diner.  While waiting for the missionaries to arrive we were visiting with her, and she could not stop smiling!  She was so happy with her decision to join the church.

 Another friend of the elders attended church today and asked if he could go and share some thoughts during Fast and Testimony meeting! He is golden!  He stayed for the baptism, which he really enjoyed.  I think he’ll be the next baptism in the ward.  It’s very exciting to see people come into the church, with their enthusiasm and to feel of their happiness.

We know how much the gospel has influenced our lives and the lives of our children.  It is hard not to be so pleased when we can have even a small part in helping others to have its influence in their lives as well.