Sister Jessie Louder: Divine Intervention = Tender Mercies

On Tuesday morning Jessie arose at 4 AM to start her journey as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She'd been set apart the previous evening my President Craig Prince of the Calgary AB North Stake. The night had been a little restless, but she was ready and excited to go at the appointed time.

After quick heartfelt goodbyes at the airport in Calgary, Jessie was on her way! Cousin Heidi was in Salt Lake City to pick her up and help her wrestle her bags off the carousel and into the car. A little later in the morning they connected with Sarah and Aunt Larna for a session at the Salt Lake City temple, Jessie's first visit there, and perhaps her last chance at doing a live session there before the temple closes for extensive renovations in the near future.

When at the temple, a worker asked Jessie where she would be serving. When she learned Jessie would be going to Sydney, Australia she said, "Oh, earlier today another girl was her going to the same mission!" After the session at the temple the group went over the Lion's House for lunch and following that went for a stroll to take a few pictures.

They arrived at the pedestal near the Church Office Building on which every bride getting married in the Salt Lake temple stands to have their picture taken with the temple as a backdrop. When they arrived there another girl was standing there taking photos. When she finished, she turned to walk away when Heidi noticed that the girl seemed to match the description of the other future sister missionary soon to be leaving for Sydney. Heidi ran after her and stopped her to ask if she was indeed that person. Sure enough, Sister Martin was entering the MTC the following day, the same as Jessie, going to the same mission. To add to the amazement of the moment, sister Martin, like Jessie is from Alberta, just up the road in Edmonton!

How can this encounter just be happenstance?! Rather I think it can be attributed to divine intervention, placing people at the right place, and at the right time. This miraculous encounter was a tender mercy. Although Jessie was excited about entering the MTC, she was also a little nervous. The serendipitous meeting of Sister Martin and Sister Louder has allowed them both to recognize that the Lord is involved in the details of their lives and cares about them. Each could enter the MTC the following day with a little more confidence, knowing that there would be someone familiar there, going through the same thing, and that they could support one another. This was a wonderful blessing.