Where have you made your greatest friends? Usually it’s from a common church group, neighborhood, or school. But friends are one thing and having a very best friend is another. Through challenges, good times, and heartaches good friendships either endure or crumble. That’s where you truly get to know if you’ve made a friend for life is when you’re going through those difficult times.
I have had the opportunity to make many true and lasting relationships with many people. Although there are a group of people 150+ that have stayed and will ever remain some of my truest friends for life. I made those friends in a new country, speaking a new language, and in very difficult circumstances. I know everyone that feels that they had the best mission but I know that Barcelona Spain was the perfect place in the world for me!
For those of you who are not aware of what a mission entails let me sum it up: living with strangers, talking with strangers, working tirelessly with strangers, and having the best time of your life. There it is – all you need to know! First the living with strangers part! I knew that I could be married to someone for the rest of my life – you know how? I was joined at the hip to a companion I was to remain with 24 hours a day. Unlike picking a husband I had no choice in who I got. But luckily I always got someone I learned to love and who learned to love me.
Why is it that when you serve with other people you become bonded to them? Whether it be a school project in which your grade is literally tied with theirs or in my case on a mission where we were taken from everything we knew and put in to the same situation. You learn to adapt, grow, and bond with those around you. It wasn’t till after I was home that I realized how quickly I would bond with not only someone I married from my mission, but the rest of those missionaries that came home and have remained my friends in good and bad times.
Since Allan and I had the same mission in Spain many missionaries have come to visit us throughout the years. I think it’s easy since they know both of us and we have been so pleased to welcome them in to our home and reminisce about our short service. Many of them have also come to our aid especially when we needed it the most which is what I’d like to share.
Early on in our marriage Allan desperately needed a part time job that could supplement our income while we went to BYU. A good friend and former missionary Willard Richards was also attending BYU at the time. Allan ran in to him while on campus and told him that he really needed a job. Will then suggested that Allan be a T-Mobile Representative like his sister was. He then gave Allan his sister’s number and advised him to call her to see if he could get a job. He did call her and was hired almost as quickly as he had made the call. Little did we know that a job in the cell phone industry would sustain us through 5 years of marriage. It was such a simple thing but what a difference it has made in ours!
Over a year ago we had a mission friend Lance Andreason and his wife move in to our city. We were excited to have someone close. Their first month here we had them over for dinner with the promise that there would be more game nights and dinners to come. But we became busy and quite literally forgot about getting together.
This last fall Allan and I were struggling deeply with him being out of work and going back to school, and I working full time trying to provide for our family. On a week where we literally had very little in our cupboards I was surprised when there was a knock on the door in the middle of the day. There at my doorstep was Lance and his wife along with their baby. In their hands they held a big cardboard box of food. Lance works for Stouffers and had brought us frozen dinners, juice boxes, treats for the kids, and many more things. I was so surprised and a little embarrassed that it had been a whole year since we had seen them. They acknowledged that they knew we could use the food. I was overcome with gratitude and love for them. Along with the food was an invitation where we spent another dinner together. After they left I found a $20 bill they had tucked under one of the boxes. I got down on my knees and thanked God for this miracle.
On my mission we were able to be cared for by very loving couples that were also serving but were older in age and wisdom. They willingly chose to be there rather than being with kids, grandkids, and the luxury of retirement. I have always been impressed by that. There was one couple in particular that I grew especially close to toward the end of my time in Spain. They treated me like a daughter and even surprised my companion and I with a coveted microwave!
Since returning home they have attended my wedding, my kids baby blessings, birthdays, and have always made a point to call me throughout the year to see how I am. The Hansen’s have been part of my life since Day 1 of meeting them. They have sent cards, Christmas gifts, and invitations to their vacation home in Mexico. We have met on a few occasions for dinner where they continue to uplift and give encouragement just like my own parents would. We recently met and spent hours with them. We talked, ate, and laughed about all of the memories we have had. It has already been the highlight of the New Year and my inspiration for this post.
In life we make friends and although distance and time separate us, our true friends will always be there in our time of need. Here is just a very small example of three different mission friends who have had a very large impact at difficult times in our lives. I am forever indebted to those who I have served with and I know no matter where I go I will always have them as my friends. Thank you God and thank you missionaries of Barcelona for blessing me in ways I could never see.
