Meet Elder Mugleston. Like so many exemplary missionaries who serve despite great sacrifice, Drew Mugleston's story is one of service in the face of personal tragedy and hardship.
Drew is the only son in a close-knit family of seven, and his father always looked forward to seeing him off on a mission. Those dreams seemed shattered when Drew's father was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2003. Despite doctors' predictions that he only had a few months to live, Drew's father survived for a full year and a half and was there on the day Drew received a mission call to the Mexico Guadalajara Mission. Ten days later he passed away.
As he and his family mourned, Drew decided to defer his mission. The loss of his father, Drew's best friend, was only the beginning of three long years of adversity and introspection. Eventually, Drew felt prepared to accept another call, and embarked on his blustery East coast mission in February of 2008.
From the MTC, he wrote, "Every time I put on my nametag, which is several times a day, I get tears in my eyes knowing that I am really here, that I really made it." Letters to family and friends share Drew's feeling that his father's presence is with him, encouraging him as he serves.
The road Elder Mugleston has traveled has been long and arduous, but one he feels was necessary to prepare him for his missionary service. His family hopes that others will be inspired by his story, and know that it is never too late to heed the call, no matter what the adversity.
