Darrell and Mary Ann Roskelley
Teaching in Texas
Our mission
is Church Education Missionaries in Killeen,Texas. Sister Roskelley and I teach
a young single adults institute class once a week. We also help serve in the
Single Adult Branch here in Killeen. We recently were assigned by the Mission
President to also assist in the Spanish Branch. Although it has been only a
short while since we began working with the Spanish Branch, we are really
enjoying working with them. We serve with two other Senior Couples. They, also,
serve in Killeen. Their mission call is to work with the soldiers and their
families stationed at the military base. The main gate to the military base is
located about 3 miles from our apartment. We have a gate pass that allows us to
go onto the base to work with the Young Single Adult members and investigators.
They are getting ready to open a big new hospital on the army base next
month. A mission for Senior Couples takes a little while to figure out
where you can help. When we first arrived in the mission field, we spent a
great deal of time trying to figure out ways we could be of service and help
others. We are now so busy, we often wonder what the more quieter, calmer days
were like when we first arrived here.
Sister Roskelley and I walk 3 miles, 5 days a week. They have a beautiful park near our apartment with a beautiful walking path. Some of the soldiers from the army base use this same walking path for their physical exercise. We end up walking right with the soldiers as they are doing their physical training. Our appreciation has grown so much for the sacrifice we see as they serve our country. We watch as they are deployed around the world. They leave friends, family and our Branch to serve. We see the joy and happiness as they return and are reunited with their families. It almost gives us a glimpse of how we will be received in heaven after this life. The LDS Chaplin was talking to us and he made an important statement. He said that there are many places in the world where the missionaries are not welcomed. He then went on to say the boots of the Priesthood are on the ground in those countries. What a great thought and blessing it is to the church to have a righteous military example in those places.
We love working with the young Elders and Sister missionaries. We have a set of Elders that live in the same apartment building as us. It is always a pleasure to hear them knock on our door, even only if they need bread or milk. We see them grow each and every day as they serve our Heavenly Father. We have about 20 Elders and Sisters in our zone. We attend their District and Zone trainings. We find it very easy to become attached to them. We sometimes think it would be nice to take some of them home with us. Tell your children a mission is not easy but it is worth it. If you are a senior couple answer this question. If not now, then when?
We have been blessed to be here in Killeen, Texas serving.
As I conclude this letter, I hear an army helicopter flying overhead. What a great sound to hear. We live so close to the base we hear that sound all day and all night. Please continue to pray not only for the missionaries but for the military as well. They are both doing an incredible service in our behalf.
Love, Elder and Sister Roskelley
