THE FAITH TO INTEND TO COMPLETE A MISSION
SOMETIME.
Over the course of the next couple of years,
Sam continued to work on his letterboard skills, and Bishop Kevin Smith reached
out to see if Sam wanted to prepare for a mission. I was pretty overwhelmed
with the pandemic and a house renovation but we worked with the proselyting
missionaries every week who trained us on the service mission handbook. Our
personal mission leader, Elder Birchall, regularly reached out to encourage us as
well. I could have just been Sam’s assistant but I also applied to be a
missionary as I wanted to have the mantle of being Christ’s minister and wear
my name next to his on my badge. At one point when I was feeling really
overwhelmed with the application process, I told God, “My mission is just going
to be to support Elder Chiou on his mission. That’s all I can handle. Oh, and
I’ll do flowers.”
“Just doing flowers” was my way of making an
offering that would be fun and easy for me and also fill me up. I had no idea
how God would take that small offering and make it blossom!
I ended up joining a Facebook group called
Buy Nothing that instantly connected me to neighbors I would otherwise never
have known. I created and gave away hundreds of flower arrangements for all
sorts of people. I did a last-minute bridal bouquet for an autism mom who
otherwise wouldn’t have had one. I got to do several bouquets for make-a-wish
kids who received them at their wish reveal parties. Most poignant were those
for domestic violence survivors who were moving into new homes, many of whom
had never received flowers before, and memorial services for several people who
left us too soon: a young woman in her 20’s, two moms in their 50’s, and a houseless
veteran whose service was held at a park, and his memorial plaque was his
cardboard sign.
God knew that when my offering was to support
Elder Chiou and then do what I loved—flowers—for the rest of the time, He would
expand that to touch people in ways I never would have imagined.
The flowers were my personal, customized
ministry, but the San Diego Service Mission has several ongoing service
assignments in place, including assisting in refugee services, Interfaith
Services, Catholic Charities, the San Diego Food Bank, Ronald McDonald House,
Habitat for Humanity, Computers 2 Kids, and Camp Wildwood. When Elder Birchall
asked Elder Chiou what assignments he was interested in, he spelled:
PLEASE TELL HIM I FEEL CHALLENGED IN MOTOR
TASKS. BUT I ANSWER TO JESUS SO I AM WILLING TO DO JOBS FOR HIM. CHRIST'S SEEN
ENERGY IS HIS SOLDIERS EARNESTLY DOING HIS WILL. I CALL IT THE LIGHT BATTALION.
I WANT TO MINISTER TO AUTISTIC MORMON CHILDREN. IT'S BEEN MY DREAM TO SHARE HIS
WORD. I WANT TO HELP PEOPLE UNDERSTAND I'M NOT INCAPABLE OF TRYING NEW THINGS.
I WANT TO INSPIRE OTHERS TO TRY.
We settled on watering plants at Camp
Wildwood and sorting and cleaning donated used computer parts at Computers 2
Kids. We served at Computers 2 Kids ten times until I realized it was too much
for me. But we stuck with Camp Wildwood, making the two-hour round trip most
Mondays for two years. We needed Camp Wildwood more than it needed us. We would
get in the car with dear friend Lisa Gove, full of Monday morning problems, and
after an hour in the car we had laughed and vented and were rewarded by the
heaven of nature in the mountains. The Kirks were a senior missionary couple
who lived at the camp full time and supervised us. Sister Kirk, a petite
powerhouse who was equal to any task, would sometimes take us on wild and crazy
rides on the Kawasaki Mule utility vehicle. Elder Kirk, a retired FBI
psychologist, loved to tell stories and was the guy to call if we saw a
rattlesnake. Thank goodness we only saw one. Mostly we watered plants, admired
adorable deer, and applauded Elder Chiou for his hiking skills. At the
beginning of the mission his ability to walk on uneven ground was shaky but now
he can go up and down hills and stairs confidently with no help.
I JUST GAVE MY LORD HIS RIGHTFUL SERVICE AND
I THANK GOD FOR THE OPPORTUNITY. GETTING IN THE CAR TO SERVE WAS TOTAL BLISS.
I'M REALLY LUCKY MY MOM IS MY MOM. I JUST THINK SPENDING MY ETERNAL LIFE JOINED
IN SERVICE GETS BETTER EACH SURRENDER.
Possibly the most rewarding part of the
mission for me was rubbing shoulders with the other service missionaries with
different experiences than mine but with the same commitment to serve as Christ
served. My understanding of people who identify as LGBTQIA+ was deepened
through some people I got to know and who were willing to be open about their
journey. They have made sacrifices that I can’t even imagine. I surprised
myself by how much I enjoyed discussing the scriptures with our fellow
missionaries. We did this twice a week on zoom and Elder Chiou was able to
spell to contribute scriptures. My passion for the word of God in the Book of
Mormon grew deeper, and my heart swelled with the spirit after every one of
these discussions.
Elder Chiou touched people just by existing
and showing his face, but on our mission he was able to shine his light in much
more public ways through a Deseret News article written by his sister, Julia, a
Faith Matters podcast, three professional webinars, and a cameo in a
documentary movie about spelling to communicate, called "SPELLERS".
In keeping with his mission goal to "minister to autistic Mormon
children", Sam has been the means of inspiring many people in person and
electronically around the world.
After Julia's Deseret News article was
published, Sam spelled:
SHE DID CRUSH IT. HER STYLE IS NOT TOO WORDY
WHICH MAKES IT SO EASY TO READ. TO HEAR JULIA DESCRIBE THOSE EARLY DAYS GETS ME
ALL GOOSEBUMPY. EVERY WORD I HAVE GIVEN IN JESUS' NAME HAS BEEN OF HIS GRACE.
Sam is limited in his motor capabilities
right now, which is what most service mission activities require, but he has
made up for that in words. I asked Scott and his brother-in-law to reenact his
interview with the producer of the SPELLERS movie.
IT REALLY MADE MY DAY WHEN YOU ASKED TO FILM
ME. I’M HONORED TO BE IN IT.
We’re honored you have you in it and you’re
just a rock star! I saw the early videos of you and was blown away by what you’ve
accomplished. This movie is going to release a tsunami of spellers. By the way,
I heard you're doing a mission for your church!
MY RELIGION PUTS MUCH EMPHASIS ON SERVICE.
It’s rad you get to do it!
HEARING TOMORROW THERE WILL BE A TSUNAMI OF
NONSPEAKERS SPELLING MAKES MY SOUL SING.
You’re a poet too, man! Do you have a message
for all those nonspeakers?
CONTINUE TO WORK HARD EVERY DAY AND THIS WILL
GET EASIER.
I’ve asked other spellers if they could
describe how hard letterboarding is for them. One said it’s like climbing up
the down escalator. What’s it like for you?
IT’S LIKE RUNNING THROUGH QUICKSAND WITH
SHOELACES TIED TOGETHER.
------------------------------
As I mentioned, Sam was also interviewed for
a podcast called Faith Matters. What a special experience that was! Thanks to
Scott and his sister for reenacting this one:
What has been the hardest part about not
being able to communicate vocally?
MOST UPSETTING REALITY IS NO ONE THINKS I’M
INTERESTED IN THEM.
What advice do you have for people facing
difficult trials?
GET GOD. WORK HARD. ONE DAY AT A TIME.
What do you want the world to know about
people in a position like yours?
RIGHT NOW STORIES OF AUTISTICS LIKE ME HAPPEN
TO MAKE HEADLINES AS ANOMALIES. I REALLY WANT OTHERS TO KNOW I’M NOT SPECIAL.
WE HEAR AND UNDERSTAND EVERYTHING.
What are you most grateful for?
STRONG WOMEN.
How has serving a mission helped you draw
nearer to God?
I NOW MEET JESUS EVERYWHERE.
How has your faith given you strength when
you felt overwhelmed?
LISTENING FOR WHO THE LORD UPHELD IN TIMES OF
TRIALS SUSTAINS ME DURING TIMES OF DIFFICULTY.
What brings you joy?
TIME WITH FAMILY.
------------------------------
The last six weeks of our mission were unique
because my husband injured his leg and needed knee surgery. This required both
me and Elder Chiou to make sacrifices. Elder Chiou missed out on evening and
weekend car rides and shopping trips with his dad. I missed out on alone time
during these missed outings. Henry needed some physical help and rides to his
appointments. I was upset and worried about Henry but also felt sorry for
myself for having more responsibilities and less help. Fairly quickly, though,
the Spirit told me that serving Henry was how we would serve the last six weeks
of our mission. Of course I should have taken care of my husband cheerfully
without needing to make it like an official assignment. But I feel very blessed
that thinking of this as part of our mission helped me to have a much better
attitude. What was also amazing about this part of our mission was how
incredibly smiley and cheerful Elder Chiou was. It felt like a super sanctified
six weeks.
Throughout the past two years, Sam had weekly
letterboard lessons with DM and then transitioned to a new teacher, Brooke, for
most of his lessons. I also practiced with him on the letterboards at home.
Although Sam is still not able to spell open sentences with me yet, we made a
lot of progress. He can answer multiple-choice questions with me, and one of
the most special things he is able to do with me is spell to choose a scripture
for any topic. We practiced this weekly with the proselyting missionaries and
also as often as possible with the service missionaries. He was asked to teach
devotionals from time to time and we would just focus on one passage of
scripture that offered incredibly profound lessons. Most recently when asked
for a scripture to share at his last mission conference, he chose Ether 12 from
the Book of Mormon. This chapter is packed with profound insights about faith,
but I find it especially moving when I substitute a few words to make it as if
Sam is saying these words:
"And thou hast made us that
we could write but little, because of the awkwardness of our hands.
Behold, thou hast not made us mighty in speaking.... Thou hast also made
our words powerful and great, even that we cannot say them; wherefore,
when we speak we behold our weakness, and stumble because of the placing
of our words; and I fear lest the people shall mock at our words. And when I
had said this, the Lord spake unto me, saying: Fools mock, but they shall
mourn; and my grace is sufficient for the meek, that they shall take no
advantage of your weakness; And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness.
I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient
for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble
themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things
become strong unto them."
Our mission officially started on May 23,
2021 and our two-year mark was May 23, 2023. On our two-year anniversary we
went to our weekly letterboard lesson with Brooke. I started our session by
being Sam’s communication partner (the person who holds the letterboards) while
Brooke coached me. We have talked about our mission frequently with Brooke but
this time she said she had a lot of questions about Sam’s mission. She asked
questions and Elder Chiou answered them on the letterboards! He told her about
Camp Wildwood, President Morley, where Camp Wildwood is located, how often he
served there, and about Computers 2 Kids. Service missionaries are called to
model Jesus by serving as He served, but aren’t specifically called to teach
and baptize. It was very, very special that on the last official day of his
mission, Elder Chiou had the opportunity to teach Brooke.
I am so grateful that the church has a system
in place where people of all abilities can fulfill a mission. I am so grateful
that I got to wear Christ’s badge, side by side with my son, Samuel, for two
years.
I’M PENSIVE BEING DONE WITH MY MISSION. I’M
VERY HAPPY MEETING CHRIST IN EVERY INDIVIDUAL. BEFORE MY MISSION I NEVER
THOUGHT I COULD HAVE THE CHANCE TO SERVE JESUS IN THIS LIFE. LIFE IS TOTALLY
TECHNICOLOR NOW.
I HAVE SO MUCH TO SAY ABOUT HOPE. TRULY MY
LIFE IS A TESTIMONY TO WHAT FAITH IN CHRIST'S PLAN IS CAPABLE OF. CHALLENGING
PHYSICAL DETERMINATIONS WERE GOD'S WAY OF ME NEEDING HIM TO STRENGTHEN MY HOPE
THAT MIRACLES WERE COMING. I HOPE THIS TALK MIGHT HELP MORE SISTERS AND
BROTHERS HANG IN THERE DURING TOUGH STRETCHES OF LIFE. NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE.
IN OUR SMALL UNIVERSE, RESTING IN THE TRUSTING RELATIONSHIPS ONLY MEANS
EVERYTHING.
MY DREAM JOB TODAY IS VERY MUCH TELLING
PEOPLE HOW I'M AN EXAMPLE OF CHRIST'S GRACE. I NEED TO HELP MORE PEOPLE NOW.
LIVING FOR JESUS IS MY TESTIMONY. I KNOW
THAT GOD IS OUR LOVING FATHER BECAUSE IT'S IN THE BIBLE THAT THE ONE BEGOTTEN
SON WOULD SAVE OUR SOULS. THAT'S LOVE.
WE SAY THESE THINGS IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, AMEN.
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