A Sweet Moment with the Prophet

6/23/2022

Dear Arequipa Mission,

Hola! President Chipman and I just finished our four-day MTC experience yesterday and right now we are on a flight and heading towards Peru! We are so excited to start this adventure with you!

I wanted to share an experience that we had Sunday during sacrament meeting at the MTC. The Quorum of the Twelve were all seated on the stand and the 168 new mission leader couples were waiting for the arrival of President Russell M. Nelson and the beginning of our service. Just before the appointed time, President Nelson and his wife, Wendy, came in and sat on the stand. As they sat, they chatted a bit and looked intently at all the new mission leaders as if they were trying to identify each of them. Suddenly, President Nelson jumped up and walked directly to President Chipman and myself as we were seated a few rows back. He placed one hand on President Chipman's shoulder and grabbed my hand firmly with the other and looked directly at me with his blue eyes and said, "President & Sister Chipman will you please tell my daughter how much her daddy loves her and that we are finally setting her free so she can come home to see me?" I was so startled by the interaction that it was difficult for me to even know my name, but I was able to tell him that we would be very happy to give her the message. He then promptly thanked us and returned to his seat and the meeting started.

President & Sister Chipman with President Nelson (photo from Church News)

This small interchange had a profound effect upon me because I learned some things. First, I learned that President Nelson knows what it is like to greatly miss a loved one because of missionary service. He doesn't ask us to sacrifice anything different than what he is willing to sacrifice himself. He loves you so much that he sent one of his beloved daughters and her husband to care for you here in Arequipa. This knowledge should help you know that he cares for you and prays for you! This should also remind you that your Heavenly Father is aware of you and loves you as well. They always work together for your benefit.

Secondly, I learned that our prophet knows who my husband and myself are. I had never met President Nelson before nor had any interaction with him, but he was able to pick us out of a large audience of nearly 400 people and call us by name. This should give you confidence that our Prophet and your Heavenly Father will continue to care for you and love you.

I'm sorry that you had to say goodbye to the Marshes for I know that they will be greatly missed, but you have every reason to be optimistic that God didn't have you come this far just to come this far! Otherwise, God would have just sent us all home with the Marshes. Together, you have built an amazing mission and now we should honor the Marshes by continuing to strive for its continued progression and improvement.

We are so excited to get to know you, learn from you, and love you!

With much Love,

President & Sister Chipman