Here Comes the Nail-Biting and Hair-Pulling - Blog #7

Looks like the process is really starting to speed up on this research essay! Last post, I started writing my thesis, but now we're taking a giant step into the essay process: writing a lead. I was instructed to try writing three different leads using three different methods from a list generated in The Curious Researcher. The leads that I chose were scene, profile, and quotation. Now if you're anything like me, actually starting the writing process is the most stressful and frustrating part of the entire writing process. So here goes nothing!

Scene

 

One would agree their heart breaks every time they see an advertisement for helping those in need, the underprivileged, or the malnourished. We can all picture those exact advertisements in our heads: small children whose bones are visible at a frightening degree, their eyes teary and vacant. Those advertisements are not an exaggeration by any means in third-world countries, and the danger of the children is very real. After thinking about those advertisements, can you see why nutritionists and dietitians are incredibly important out in the mission field? Not only do those children need nutritional food in their stomachs, but, also, God in their hearts.



Profile

 

Born and raised in Chicago, Elena Paravantes has lived in Greece for over 10 years now. Paravantes, who is of Greek descent, was educated and trained as a clinical dietitians in the United States. Paravantes decided she could make a difference in the way Grecians look at nutrition and has been determined to do so ever since moving there. Although Greece is not a third-world country, Paravantes has the right idea as far as traveling dietitians are concerned. Unfortunately, third-world countries are being overlooked because the challenge seems too large for one nutritionist or dietitian to tackle alone. However, the population of nutritionists and dietitians is slowly growing. Now we just need to connect nutrition to spreading the gospel, which isn't as far-fetched as one may think.

 

Quotation

 

“Worthy young missionaries who have medical training and good judgment contribute in irreplaceable ways to the health and safety in the missions where they are serving,” comments Sister Francis, chair of the Church's missionary nurse specialist committee, about the calling of nutritionists and dietitians in the missionary field. Nutritionists and dietitians in the missionary field not only help those they are spreading the gospel to, but also contribute to the overall health and wellness of the missionaries, themselves. One missionary commented on her work in the Marshall Islands, "Yes, there are hard things here, but the benefits and growth seem to far outweigh the [inconveniences and difficulties]," she said. "I love the way the people love their children, their faith in Jesus Christ, and the courage of the priesthood leaders here." She is not the only on who feels this way about her work, as most missionaries can agree on the blessings they encounter in serving a health mission.