Good afternoon Elders and Sisters. It is a privilege to be able to share my thoughts, feelings, and testimony with all of you today. I hope that what is said will invite the Spirit and will then enlighten and edify us all to help us in the work in which we are engaged, as well as in our personal lives. Seeing as this is a “reflection”, I would like to “reflect” on some of the things that have really helped me on my mission. As many of you know, it is impossible to cram two years of experience and learning into one short summary. But, I will do my best!
The first thing I would like to talk about that has really blessed me on my mission is developing and maintaining an eternal perspective. To see the long-run in all things. Day to day effort in the work, my companions, my areas, etc. Maintaining an eternal perspective includes making good choices now, for a better life in the future for all. I often think to myself, “How I react to things now will affect how I react to things in the future.” We encounter many difficulties out here in the field. How will I respond? The back tire on my bike explodes for the second time this week. How am I going to respond? The answer may influence me later down the road. I may be on a road trip 20 years from now with my own family and then BAM! The back tire on our car goes flat for the second time on this trip! How am I going to react? In a loving, and patient way? These are decisions that can be made NOW. The mission is a great time for spiritual growth and development. The second thing is actually a phrase that we all hear often before, during, and after our missions. …show more content…
It is the phrase, “The best two years”. One thing that really helped me out here was when my father told me in training this phrase is not entirely true or fundamental to my happiness. Now, don’t get me wrong, these 18-24 months are a wonderful and precious time! But. I learned not to put the mission on a cushioned pedestal and label it the “perfect two years”. A mission is still regular life. There are trials. There are joys. We will still remain imperfect! We are imperfect servants to a perfect Master. Perfection will not come now or in the near future. But it will come. The mission is as much as you make of it. I’m so glad I learned that my ATTITUDE and not my CIRCUMSTANCE was the key factor for my happiness. We can choose to be happy and optimistic. In relation to our choice for happiness, we also have the ability and agency to see or not to see success. A multitude of quick, easy baptisms does not have a monopoly on success in the mission field. Success comes in many forms, shapes, and speeds. It is all on the Lord’s timetable. So why would we look to the world’s standards of success for our Heavenly Father’s work? It is HIS success. He knows. We are successful missionaries when we are good boys and good girls, striving to bring about good in all we can in the time allotted to us. I know that God is proud of every single one of you for you service, regardless how successful or non-successful you may deem yourself. The final point I’d like to touch on is the love of God. I’ve seen it. I’ve felt it.
The first thing I would like to talk about that has really blessed me on my mission is developing and maintaining an eternal perspective. To see the long-run in all things. Day to day effort in the work, my companions, my areas, etc. Maintaining an eternal perspective includes making good choices now, for a better life in the future for all. I often think to myself, “How I react to things now will affect how I react to things in the future.” We encounter many difficulties out here in the field. How will I respond? The back tire on my bike explodes for the second time this week. How am I going to respond? The answer may influence me later down the road. I may be on a road trip 20 years from now with my own family and then BAM! The back tire on our car goes flat for the second time on this trip! How am I going to react? In a loving, and patient way? These are decisions that can be made NOW. The mission is a great time for spiritual growth and development. The second thing is actually a phrase that we all hear often before, during, and after our missions. …show more content…
It is the phrase, “The best two years”. One thing that really helped me out here was when my father told me in training this phrase is not entirely true or fundamental to my happiness. Now, don’t get me wrong, these 18-24 months are a wonderful and precious time! But. I learned not to put the mission on a cushioned pedestal and label it the “perfect two years”. A mission is still regular life. There are trials. There are joys. We will still remain imperfect! We are imperfect servants to a perfect Master. Perfection will not come now or in the near future. But it will come. The mission is as much as you make of it. I’m so glad I learned that my ATTITUDE and not my CIRCUMSTANCE was the key factor for my happiness. We can choose to be happy and optimistic. In relation to our choice for happiness, we also have the ability and agency to see or not to see success. A multitude of quick, easy baptisms does not have a monopoly on success in the mission field. Success comes in many forms, shapes, and speeds. It is all on the Lord’s timetable. So why would we look to the world’s standards of success for our Heavenly Father’s work? It is HIS success. He knows. We are successful missionaries when we are good boys and good girls, striving to bring about good in all we can in the time allotted to us. I know that God is proud of every single one of you for you service, regardless how successful or non-successful you may deem yourself. The final point I’d like to touch on is the love of God. I’ve seen it. I’ve felt it.