Provo YSA 15th Stake

 We have now been serving in our YSA Stake for 2 1/2 years.  2020 being one of those years.  We have seen so many young adults of so many backgrounds, spiritual levels, educational levels, activity levels, nationalities, home life, races, physical abilities, etc.  I felt very overwhelmed when we were first called.  How would I remember anyone?  How would I bond with anyone being that we visit a different ward every week (3-4 times per year per each ward).  I have felt overwhelmed and underqualified for this role.  Dave is so good with remembering people.  I knew he would fare much better than me.  And he has a defined role that puts him in contact with people much more often than me.  But I wasn't going to let that discourage me.  I accepted the calling and I know the Lord helps those who try.  I told myself to "go deep" with people when I meet them.  I may not ever see them again (many live in our Stake only a semester), so I will probe a little more than I usually feel comfortable doing.  I have discovered some wonderful stories by doing this, which blesses my life, and hopefully reinforces other's lives!

Today I was in the 212th ward and sat next to a beautiful black woman in Relief Society.  I introduced myself and she said her name was Ruth.  I said, "What a wonderful name!"  She said, "I'm not as good as the one in the Bible!"  But I reminded her that we only know one story from that Ruth, and she may have had many experiences that brought her to those experiences.  After Relief society, I had noted that she had a sticker on her phone that said NEW YORK CITY MISSION.  I asked her when she was there, and she said her mission was supposed to end in April 2020, but she couldn't get back into her country so she stayed until August 2020 quarantined in her apartment with a companion.  What a dedicated missionary!  And I asked her where her home country was, she said "Republic of the Congo"!  That is where Uncle Don and Aunt Beth served in the 1990s.  I asked if she knew the new Elder's Quorum President who is from the Congo too.  She smiled and said, "That is my brother!"  She had come to support him in his sustaining to his new calling!   What a wonderful discovery.  That is just one example of these stories that are so amazing.