One Lucky Girl: Highlights from the Mission

Life as a part-time family history service missionary has been a delight.  This year has been full of tender moments, a few frustrations, and plenty of humor. I have learned a little bit about shortcomings, service, patience, people, family history, and continue to be blessed with a life full of sweet, happy, entertaining moments. Most of my mission was served at a little desk in a little apartment staring at computer screens and answering phone calls and chat rooms. Surprisingly it was never as boring as it sounds.  I was blessed to speak with hundreds and hundreds of incredibly interesting people with lives and problems and histories and opinions that I will never know much about. This year I’ve kept a list of my favorite comments, conversations, (and even some very generous compliments) that made each day a little more enjoyable this year.

Here is a taste of my mission life:

“Lexie on a scale from one to ten…you’re about a six.” (That’s how Brett comforted me while I was sick in bed).

“Family History is like my Facebook.”

“You sound like a young missionary!”
“I am a young missionary.”
“Are you married?”
“No, I’m still working on that.”
“Well I’m sure it will happen soon.”

“Thank YOU very much.  Great job on your help today my children have complained about this for years. Now it is getting fixed.....THANK You…goodbye, and bless you”

“So are you practicing celibacy right now or can you date?”

“Just talking to my wife and told her that my dad's dad's first name is Grandpa.  She did not think that was funny.”
“It made me giggle a little.”

Older couple jabbering at each other for 30 minutes while I am on speaker.
Man in exasperation to his wife: “Shut up!!”
Me: A soft answer to his question.
Older couple cooing sweetly in unison: “You are an awesome person, thank you.”
The start of another loud discussion in the background
End of call

“Sister Wood has a very empathetic and kind touch in her chats.”

“Forgive me I am blind in one eye and can't see out the other!!”

“Wait, so do you date a lot?”

“My children are back on my tree.  Thank you so much for your patience and service. I Love You!”

“Yes, I am alive (that must be reassuring to you).”

“Thank you Sister Wood for your patients and all your assistances. You really have helped me so much. I am excited to move foreward...”

“You are so smart, it worked thank you so much.  What a blessing to have people who are willing to give your time to help us old coots who don't know much YET.  I am learning.  Thanks.”

“What was your name again?  Sister Wood?  I am going to thank the Lord for you in my prayers.”

“Hi, we’ve never met but I asked the stake president for your number so I could ask you out…and he gave it to me...”

“This site is so wonderful and valuable. I wish I knew the ins and out to find people quicker…Thanks I will try it. Thanks for everything. I am finding people I never even knew and some only heard of. Thanks.”

“GOOD JOB! Off to watch some baseball! Thanks, again!”

“You are the first person I’ve talked to that wasn’t over 80.  Either you sound like a really young 80-year-old or you aren’t 80.  Why is that?”

“Thank you so much!!! You have no idea how much this means to me.”

“What a great blessing it is to work shoulder to shoulder with the best of the best!”

 “You know Alexis, you are kind of a dream come true.  Every guy secretly wants to hit on a sister missionary and now he can without feeling guilty about it!”

“I’m having trouble printing.”
“Did you check the box to the left?”
“Nope:) It works now.  You are amazing!!”

“This girl is about to be translated any minute.”
“Well maybe we should stand a little closer so she’ll take us with her!”

From a message to the missionaries: “The Lord blessed this world with special people like you.  Thanks so much for all your service.  I am so thankful to know and serve with you.”

My favorite: “If we think we can do it alone, we’re crazy.”


I’ve had a lot of help this year from sources seen and unseen. I know the Holy Ghost was very much involved in my communication with others over the phone, in chat rooms, and in my many meetings. His sweet spirit of love and patience helped soften many impatient hearts, most especially mine. It has been a blessing to serve and I appreciate all the support and smiles I’ve been given. I am one lucky girl!

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