A few weeks ago I was able to attend a missionaries homecoming talk. He gave the most excellent talk I have ever heard from an RM. He invited the spirit as he spoke about The Atonement and repentance. It was very special. In the days to follow I thought about my own sweet mission experiences. I've been home for two years now!
With General Conference this last weekend, that meant throughout Salt Lake to Provo there are hundreds of mission reunions happening the Friday before. Its so sweet to reunite with those you've been able to serve with in the field, calling each other by first names( so weird!), reminiscing about Pday adventures, conferences, food you miss eating, the wonderful people, and the quirks of areas shared..followed by our new endeavors like school, dating, marriage, kids....And it was a lot of fun sharing stories from the mission and catching up with people in Adam's mission and from my mission last Friday night. We try our best to attend both reunions which happen at the same time in different cities. It worked out well this last time thank goodness!
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| Angeles Mission Reunion April 2014 (thanks for the photo Mary!) |
I never imagined I would have my own reunions to attend to each conference. A mission was never something I had planned, nor had a desire to. I remember one Sunday afternoon we were being taught "Missionary Work" in Young Womans. The teacher asked who among us wants to serve a mission. Everyone raised their hand....everyone but me. I was okay with that. A mission wasn't for a girl like me (whatever I thought that meant back then)...or so I thought.
Last week I found an old journal from before my mission. I had recorded my journey to choosing to serve a mission. With all my fears and doubts annoyingly written over and over for months. I was like a tween, lost and confused, trying to find out who I was, who I wanted to become and how to get there with the answer staring me in the face.
But, I eventually followed the promptings of the Spirit, knowing the answer all along. I was privileged with serving the Lord and the people of the Philippines. I did gain a strong foundation for my testimony and know that I am a child of God and that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. This eighteen month experience of service brought me numerous blessings while I was serving, upon my return and yet, continues to bless me everyday. It taught me to be a better disciple, a better wife and to be an example for my children to be.
The Lord is hastening his work now, and I and we are not done sharing the Gospel to both the living and the dead. To family, friends and those around us, member or not. There is so much work to be done! Sometimes I feel overwhelmed with the task, but I try to focus on the little things I CAN do to help.
I love the Gospel and the messages that were shared with us this last General Conference. Elder Bednar's talk, President Uchtdorf's, and President Monson's were some of my favorites! It's so neat to think that the next six months we have these special messages to turn to for help and guidance. I know Heavenly Father loves us and wants us to be happy and I'll do my best to share that message with others.
