Melinda Andrus Jaggi

November 1979-March 1981

My life now-  I retired in January, 2018, as Interim Superintendent of a small school district in Lancaster, California.  I have a son and a daughter in their late twenties.  I have a son-in-law, and our first grandchild is on the way.  Currently I work with the Young Women in my ward, and I volunteer at the Los Angeles Temple as a receptionist each month.

Memorable mission highlight, from my journal February 15, 1981, after district conference in the Altiplano-

"Let me mention the baptisms. I helped and got the ladies dressed in the bathroom.  These campo ladies are so funny.  So tiny, so timid, and with at least 15 pieces of clothing on.  Their cracked feet- black from the rubber tire shoes, and years of dirt and exposure.  When the people from the campo get baptized, it's really quite an event.  Many are really scared-  they've never been completely under water in all their life.  You never know what will happen.  Today one lady was baptized-  the littlest I've ever seen.  She was so old, and she was crying.  Another lady I'll never forget.  I always help them  out of the font.  I lean down and give them a hand out.  Usually they are scared and sputtering.  Well, not this one.  She was laughing!  She bent down and cupped her hands.  She cupped more water and threw it on her face, on her hair-  all over.  She even scrubbed here and there!  I could not believe it.  She reminded me of  bird in a birdbath.  I loved it.  The people are so pure and simple.  I love it."

Later that day, I was asked to bear my testimony,

"I started in, and then from the back and to my rescue came sweet Hermana Candia (to translate into Aymara).  Well, she came up and stood by my side.  I began, and only got one sentence out before I felt the spirit so strongly I couldn't continue. I nearly cried, and after an awkward silent pause,  I poked her in the side and told her to speak pues.  A good laugh.  I bore fervent testimony.  I have never felt the spirit stronger.  I told them of Heavenly Father-  His love for them-  that He is loving-  that He knows and love each and every one of  them-  even to the color of their shawls-  their names.  That He is waiting for them through prayer.  That He and our Heavenly Mother must be so proud of them, looking down on them from the heavens.  I told them of my great love for them, the Bolivian people.  I told them what a pleasure and privilege it is for me to serve my mission among them.  I told them I'll never forget them-  that they've taught me so much.  I testified to them of Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ our elder brother, and the fact that Joseph Smith was a prophet."

This has carried with me throughout my life-  That taste I felt of Heavenly Father's love for each of us.

Darron Butler Anna Lee Greenhalgh