Sister Jessie Louder: Mission Intermission

When Jessie left for the MTC last October, no one could have imagined the circumstances that would compel her to come home a third of the way through her mission. The COVID-19 pandemic and world and Church response to it brought some unexpected challenges. But as is often the case, along with challenges came opportunity and blessings.

Jessie flew home experiencing April 1^st, 2020 twice as she crossed the international date line midway over the Pacific. She enjoyed a long visit alone with President Runia on the drive to the airport in Sydney. From there she flew to Vancouver, then on to Calgary. She was the only missionary on her flights.

After arriving home, Jessie stood outside on the front porch in the frigid weather and waved to the many friends who drove by in a parade to welcome her back, while remaining socially distant. 😊

We were all so pleased with how many people came to salute her. Our stake president, President Prince, released her as a missionary via video-conference that evening.

Sarah had returned from Utah a couple of days before Jessie’s return. It was particularly nice for the sisters to have each other during the 14 days of strict quarantine we spent with one another.

Upon her return, Jessie had the option of returning to missionary service (somewhere) as soon as conditions aloud, while maintaining her original mission end date, or the option of waiting 12 to 18 months to then be reassigned with a new mission end date. She chose the first option. The wait for her reassignment felt long as no one knew when she would hear from the missionary department, where she would be reassigned, nor when she would be authorized to leave again. Finally, on May 16^th, President Prince contacted us to let us know an email for Jessie had arrived which he forwarded to us.

Jessie is very excited to continue serving as a missionary, now in the Canada Toronto Mission. She quickly felt a calm reassurance that the Lord had a plan for her all along and that Toronto is where she is needed now and where she can experience the personal growth Heavenly Father wishes her to. In many ways Toronto is like Sydney. Both are hugely divers multi-cultural cities. Jessie will continue to meet and serve people from around the world.

During Jessie’s two month “inter-mission” she had the blessing of being able to see family and loved ones. Her brothers traveled from Vancouver, BC and Vancouver WA to see her.

Jessie was set apart as a missionary for a second time, again by President Prince, and on 1^st of June flew directly to Toronto where the adventure continues!