The widow’s mite: Texas missionary honored for giving his all during service mission
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by
Janae Baird
Janae BairdBy Mary Richards 10 Aug 2022, 1:20 PM CDT, Church News
Elder Caleb Wood doesn’t think his story is special. But the standing ovation said otherwise. At a special banquet on July 21, Elder Wood was named the Dallas, Texas, “Volunteer of the Year” by D CEO Magazine for his work at the nonprofit organization Trusted World.
“I’ve been asked several times why serving is so important to me,” Elder Wood said in his acceptance speech that night. “The more I answer that question, the more I realize my answer is kind of selfish — I like making others happy, and making others happy makes me happy.”
As his grandfather taught him, “We love who and what we sacrifice for.”
Health challenges mean serving is not easy for him physically — Elder Wood, 20, has brain tumors and mobility and cognitive struggles due to complications from the tumors. But pushing through his limitations brings him joy, satisfaction and peace.
His mission leaders in the Texas Dallas East Service Missionary Area, Elder Mar Atkinson and Sister Julie Atkinson, see his perseverance and faithfulness. “People realize this is the widow’s mite. He only serves only a few hours but it is everything he has,” said Elder Atkinson.
A desire to serve
Serving a mission has been Elder Wood’s dream ever since he could remember, but because of his health, at times it felt like it might be just out of reach. He prayed often to Heavenly Father for a way to be able to serve.
“He listened to the desires of my heart and the mission door swung wide open,” Elder Wood said. “I love serving a full-time service mission.”
His mother, Andi Wood, said her son “100% believes whole-heartedly that service missions came about for him and many others to be able to serve. The Lord knew he had this desire.”
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