While I did print pictures from my mission after I got home it was not until today that I really looked at them and put them into an album. Wow. I don't know that there are really words to express the gratitude I feel having the opportunity to serve. It was no doubt one of the happiest times of my life. As I looked at the pictures and thought about my companions, those whom we had taught, those who were baptized, those who were not, I was overwhelmed with joy! So many times I think I know what I need to be doing, and how to direct my life. I have had my life planned out since I could walk. I have always known what i wanted to do and knew how I would accomplish it. A mission while I had at some point in my life felt that I wanted to go, as the time drew closer it was as far from my life plan as it could have been. And after submitting and going on a mission I cannot imagine having not gone. There are countless numbers of people whom I met that have changed my life forever. To name each one by name and explain the effect they have on me would take a life time. They have changed me. I am so grateful to my Father in Heaven for nor giving up in all of stubbornness. He continued to persuade, motivate, and ultimately push me to going on a mission. How grateful I am for Him not listening to my resounding "No!". Below are a few pictures and thoughts...
The MTC. I had the most amazing companions - Sis. Biddle and Sis. Walch! They got me through those three weeks, I don't know that any other companions would have. They were so positive and happy you couldn't help but smile when you were with them! I remember when I was having a particularly hard day, and they sang my favorite song. They have incredible voices and beautiful harmony. That song put everything into perspective for me that day.
Leaving my first area, Frisco and my trainer, Sis. Olsen. I learned so much from Sis. Olsen, she had trained nearly every transfer of her mission, I was grateful I did not have to do that! Hope, was a less active member that lived around the corner from us. We called her to feed us dinner one night, she was so sweet. With all the missionaries she uses brand new silver ware. It sounds kind of silly and crazy, but I remembered when Elder Holland had come to the MTC and told us that they look at us like Superheroes - they really do. I was touched that she would use only the best, cleanest for us - whom she saw as perfect, and knowing that I was far from it.
Sis. Avila. For anyone that knew her, enough said! We served together for four transfers in Mesquite - the hood for sister missionaries. She was my hardest companion and became my favorite! I don't think either of us remember much of why we didn't get along in the beginning, other than me tackling her to the floor once. Mesquite was a hard area, but we saw miracles there. During our lowest point in the area we visited a member to as for a referral it became one of two baptisms we had together. I learned more about myself being her companion than anyone else. For Halloween, Bro. Holland made us these costumes and we walked up and down Town East (the main road through Mesquite). Sis. Avila was the Book of Mormon that day, I am fairly certain she narrowly escaped cars hitting her on multiple occasions!
Sis. Joseph - I had the honor of training her. She was amazing. I would have to say, I don't think I was as good of a trainer as she probably deserved. And unfortunately I was sick most of the time we were together. We served together for three transfers in Mesquite - yes that makes it seven total transfers in Mesquite and as many can attest to I was devastated to leave! Sis. Joseph was the hardest worker. The first day we were together she contact don her own ten people! She had no fear! She pushed me to be better to strive for more and helped me remember why I was there. When you hit your mid-mission crisis it is always nice to have someone who will push you beyond what you want to give, and she did that for me!
Sis. Keys and Sis. Blickfeldt - they are incredible! Sis. Blickfeldt and I served in Sherman together for three transfers and Sis. Keys moved up with us for the last four weeks of my mission. Which was the greatest blessing as I had nothing left to give - I was exhausted, sick, and it took everything in to just keep going. Sis. Blickfeldt is incredible! We were no doubt friends in the pre-existence! She had incredible stories and a testimony as solid as rock. We saw so many miracles together! I don't think there was one day that really went by when we did not see the Lord's hand clearly in our work. We got the wards excited about missionary work, less actives to church, and had tons of fun doing it! I absolutely love her!
I think this sign should be on the back of every missionary car! That is exactly what we do! I saw more people come out of the darkness, the world and sorrow to true and lasting happiness! To see the look on their faces when they realize that its true. My favorite thing was to see the way that they changed over the weeks that we visited with them. Every time we would come back there would be more light, more happiness, more truth in their countenances. I reckon the same was true of me, the longer i was on my mission the happier I was. The more I realized what exactly we were doing there. I wish more than anything I could do it all over again knowing what I know now. I would no doubt be a better missionary.
Coming home was the hardest thing I had to do on my mission. There are few words that can explain what you are feeling as you board the plane to come home. You are excited and depressed at the same time! It's like entering back into a world you have not known for years and yet they have known you. I imagine it is a lot like people explain dying and their life flashing before their eyes. You think about everything that has happened - from the beginning to the end. And then you see your family... there is nothing like it. You want to run to them on the one hand and you want to run away on the other.
