By Charlene Lindquist

When my husband and I were called to serve a mission at Warm Springs LDS Recreation Facility I knew my long awaited wish to serve a mission was granted. Our mission call came in the fall and it seemed perfect for both of us. We both love being in the outdoors and working with people. We love the Gospel of Jesus Christ and accepted the call. We reported on Thanksgiving Day.

The work wasn’t hard. The work was constant. I had time to think while I cleaned bathrooms, swept, raked fallen leaves and weeded. I didn’t mind. It is the Lord’s land. He knew my heart and He knew I loved serving Him no matter what the duty was. Warm Springs is an oasis in the desert and our guests make serving here wonderful.

Within the first week, as I attempted to work longer and harder each day, I realized that I was unable to endure the pain that had escalated in my thumbs and hands due to arthritis.
I had no idea that this problem would immobilize me. The medications I had been taking didn’t help. To me surgery was not an option. I felt that surgery on my hands would be too risky. Besides, I didn’t have time to heal from surgery on my mission!

I was devastated. I love to serve. I love my Savior and Heavenly Father. I am not a quitter, but I didn’t know how I could possibly continue my mission. I worried I would ruin the mission experience for my husband as well. I allowed fear to set in. Then I would tell myself, “Replace this fear with faith and you will be fine.” I was not fine. I was at the point to where I knew I was not pulling my load on my mission due to my inability to use my hands.

One morning, as I attempted to rake leaves on a small grassy area, I was again reminded that my limitations would not let me continue. I decided to talk directly to God, right there and right then. I prayed, “Heavenly Father, You know I love you and that I have prayed for over thirty years to serve you. I don’t know what to do about my hands. I don’t want to quit.” I felt myself losing hope. I wanted to cry. I stood in the grass and rested for a moment. Then silently the words came gently to me: “Get them fixed. You have time. It will be all right.”

At that moment I knew I received a direct answer to my prayer. I stood silently for a moment so I could take what I had experienced into my soul. Each and every fear had totally left me.

I called the office of a highly recommended orthopedic surgeon as soon as I could and made an appointment. The receptionist knew that we were on a mission and she got me in that very week. During my appointment someone had called in and canceled their surgery and I was immediately put in their place. Two weeks later my left hand was fixed. No more pain. Just weakness from the surgery. We continued to serve on our mission. Five weeks later my right hand was fixed. It was an amazing process. I knew God knew I wanted to serve Him. He instructed me and promised me that it would be all right….and it was.

Several months have passed since my surgeries. Silently, as I work pain free, I thank my Heavenly Father for allowing me to fulfill my desire to serve a mission.

I am strong now, doing many things that I have loved doing in the past. Here at the Warm Springs I am able to weed, mow lawns, and help power wash the pools. But more than that I am able to serve our guests who visit this beautiful area and hopefully help them become closer to the Savior.

My thirty year wish to serve a mission is more wonderful that I could have ever imagined. My husband and I continue to express gratitude to our Heavenly Father and show our love for Him as we love and serve others. We know the blessings come because we love serving and love the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Brother and Sister Lindquist are currently serving at the Warm Springs LDS Recreation Facility on what is called a “Stay at Home” mission. They live on the property in Moapa, but keep their church records in their home ward in the Bloomington Hills 1st Ward, Bloomington Hills Stake. They attend church at the Moapa Ward, Logandale, Nevada Stake.