A Flood of Emotion

When I was 19 years old I moved to Queensland, Australia.  I went to serve a mission for my church.  


For two years I knocked on doors, volunteered at local organizations, taught lessons, met with strangers, painted fences, mowed lawns -- all in an effort to save souls and spread a message of peace, hope, love, and charity.  


For 730 days I worked the hardest I've ever worked in my life...and over time, a special place in my heart was carved out for the people of Queensland.  


I came to love them in a tender way that I can't describe.


This morning I woke up, opened my laptop, and saw this on the front page of Yahoo:

Severe rains have flooded and washed away a large part of my mission.  At least 22 people are dead and 3500 are homeless.  Electricity has been shut off in a lot areas and many have nothing to eat.  


And it's not over.  Weather conditions aren't supposed to improve until at least Saturday.








I didn't realize how horrific it really is until I saw this video:



This week my heart is in Brisbane.  I love all you strong Queenslanders.  I miss you.  Please know my thoughts and prayers are with you.