“No Setbacks,” For the Strength of Youth, Apr. 2021, 14–17.
No Setbacks
Two young men from Washington, USA, have found ways to serve despite physical limitations.
Photographs of cities from Getty Images
Austin Nickle began learning sign language when he was 18 years old. He started attending his local Deaf branch and even signed up to take classes at the community college. But Austin isn’t deaf.
“I was born with a speech impediment,” says Austin. “I’ve been afraid to speak much throughout my life because of my stuttering and lack of fluency [the ability to say all the sounds in words so they are clearly understood]. But I’m not shy. I enjoy social settings, I just don’t talk as much as others.”
Sometimes it takes Austin minutes to get out what others can share in seconds. But that’s never stopped him from being optimistic and fully participating in school or church. And though he may feel fear at times, he portrays courage.
“He is fearless,” says Austin’s home ward bishop, Rodger Pickett.
“I used to be his seminary teacher. He was fearless despite the fact that he could be teased. And there were members of the class who would roll their eyes a little, but he was fearless to be engaged, offer answers, pray, and do other things in class.”
And it’s true. Austin is not only brave but also kind. But that doesn’t mean things come easy.
Called to Serve
Serving a mission was something Austin knew would present a challenge.
“When I thought of serving a full-time mission,” said Austin, “I knew I could be successful at a service mission, but I was worried about serving a full-time proselyting mission. However, I knew that wherever the Lord called me was where He could use me best.”
For Austin, it was just a matter of figuring out the best route.
One Sunday, the direction became a little clearer. Austin’s stake president was visiting Austin’s ward, and Austin was blessing the sacrament. Before he finished the prayer, the stake president and Bishop Pickett both received the same impression.
“We turned and looked at each other with the exact same thought,” said Bishop Pickett. “He should learn sign language!”
As soon as Bishop Pickett and President McCall shared their thought, Austin said, “I was no longer nervous about going on a mission. I knew I wanted to serve as an ASL [American Sign Language] missionary.”
Austin began attending a local Deaf branch and then took sign language classes at the local community college. Of course, there was no guarantee, but he worked diligently and prepared himself in case it was the Lord’s will for him to serve an ASL mission.
On September 26, 2019, Austin received his mission call—a two-year ASL mission to Phoenix, Arizona, USA.
“I wish you could have seen his face,” said Bishop Pickett. “Joy. Pure joy. He was signing and his mother was interpreting as he opened the email. He made an ecstatic yell … accompanied by some fist pumping.”
“I’m excited,” says Austin. “It’s exciting that there are lots of ways to serve.”
Elder Austin Nickle with his first companion
“The Lord has a mission for you where you can make a difference.”
A warm welcome to the mission in Phoenix, Arizona!
Meet Donovan
Donovan Sorensen was born with muscular dystrophy, a condition where the body doesn’t produce enough protein to rebuild the muscles. He was diagnosed at age 7. “I was able to walk until I was 11,” says Donovan, “but then I became wheelchair-bound.”
It takes Donovan much longer to do normal things like getting out of bed, getting dressed, or preparing meals.
“I’ve definitely learned to not take things for granted,” says Donovan. “It also gives me an appreciation for others who maybe have a harder time with these things than I do.”
Donovan’s mom says, “Despite his physical limitations, he has never let his condition deter him from accomplishing anything he sets his mind to. He demonstrates amazing courage in the face of constant uncertainty. He possesses a quiet self-confidence and is OK being different.”
Donovan participated in the Scouting program.
Enjoying a Washington ferry ride!
Serving in the House of the Lord
“Well, originally a full-time proselyting mission was pretty much off the table,” says Donovan. “And I was OK with that. I’d accepted it.”
But then Donovan and his family heard about service missions.
“We contacted our area service mission coordinator. We told him what I would be able to do,” said Donovan. “He helped me to find the right opportunity. From there, he worked with my stake president and bishop to finish the process.”
It wasn’t long before Donovan was submitting his papers. Soon he received his call to serve a mission in the Seattle Washington Temple. He was set apart and worked in the temple five days a week after that.
“At first I was a little nervous. We met with the temple president and the recorder a week before I started. I was set apart as an ordinance worker, and the recorder showed me some of the things I would be doing. So that calmed my nerves a lot. And once I started, it was nothing to worry about. I’ve loved every minute of it.”
But his service doesn’t come without sacrifice and challenges.
“Waking up is one challenge, but I just make sure I don’t go to bed too late. I’m usually able to get up pretty easily and get to the temple and do everything they need me to do.” But waking up early is just the beginning. Next it’s the bus stop, where Donovan navigates public transportation to and from the temple, traveling approximately three hours a day and sometimes more, depending on the weather.
“He doesn’t see any of it as a sacrifice,” says his mom. “He goes, rain, snow, or shine. He doesn’t want to miss a day, because he knows people are counting on him and he knows how important his service is.”
“I like helping people feel welcomed,” says Donovan. “I’ve had a lot of people thank me for my service, and even though I’m doing something any other ordinance worker could do, it makes me feel good knowing that I could help make them happy.”
Donovan and Austin may not be serving in ways they had originally planned, but both are serving in exactly the way the Lord wants them to—in His way.
The author lives in Washington, USA.