Some Weeks are tougher than we would choose...

Dear Family,
 
This week has been one of the most interesting of my mission.  Our work is progressing. The movie night is set for this Friday. All we have left to do is pop the popcorn.  We are really hoping it will translate into new investigators.
 
It hasn't been the work that has made this week tough. On Wednesday afternoon, we received a call from President Watkins asking us to get Elder W-----, our Spanish district leader, to the mission home. Earlier in the week, Elder W----- had told us that his mom's cancer had come back after four years of remission.  She was to begin treatment immediately. 
 
As the week progressed, we spent the majority of the afternoons at the mission (home) with Elder W----- so he could skype his family.  On Friday, he was able to talk to his mom and family as she passed away.  Please maintain him in your prayers.  I don't know how I would deal with a situation like this if anything like it were to happen to anyone in our family.
 
He is really being a trooper.  We understand that there isn't much we can do.  We are there to support whenever needed, but we definitely don't want to hover either.  Amazingly, the day his mom passed away, he went right to work and taught our district meeting. I don't know how he is doing it.

I have heard it said that more so than our mission is chosen by revelation, we are assigned to a mission president by revelation.  Such is the case with Elder W----- and President Watkins.  President Watkins went through a similar experience on his mission.  He has told us of his last conversation with his mom before leaving to Mexico.
 
I think the hardest thing about this week is the fact that we can't do anything. I have learned that sometimes we are thrown experience completely out of our control as human beings. They force us to rely on the saviors atonement and trust that there is a plan in all things.
 
Despite our knowledge of the Plan of Salvation, it doesn't make saying goodbye any easier.  Much like a child is homesick for his parents despite the knowledge that he will return home in a few short days, the separation of death can leave us feeling homesick for those we love. We know we will see them again, but it doesn't change the fact that we are separated for a time.  Fortunately, we know that there is a reunion to come.  We must wait diligently, but it will come.
 
Love,
 
Elder Badger