Going Home

 

Fifteen missionaries are returning to their homes this week.  For this Saturday night zoom conference broadcast, each bore their testimony from their flats with their companions by their sides.  SK and I teared up many times as we listened to humble, sweet and strong testimonies.  It is easy to see the difference as they get close to their release date.  It they have been faithful, there is a maturity and a sweetness that is unexplainable.

Here is a smattering of what was said:

There is no growth in the comfort zone.  I am about to go home to my comfort zone...but it struck me that my old comfort zone is no longer comfortable for me.  I want to be in a growth zone.

The early apostles did not succeed, but they knew we would.

One elder quoted Dave's poem "If."  "If you can meet with triumph and disaster and treat those two impostors just the same...Hold on...even through the hardest times."  "How can I accomplish these things?  Jesus Christ will help me."

We have all eternity to rest.  Right here - right now is a time to work...a mission is a time to work.  I'm so grateful for what I learned on my mission.

On my mission, there was never a time when I thought everything was easy or perfect, but I learned that this work we do is so important and brings so much joy and satisfaction.  She quoted Alma, "There is no affliction that cannot be swallowed up in the joy of Christ."

"In turning outwards, I am grateful to have had the opportunity to be an instrument in God's hands."

"To learn and improve is to repent."

"When I was not thinking about myself, when I was serving others, I felt true joy."

As a missionary, I've learned much better to recognize the voice of the spirit.  

Jesus Christ has overcome the world.  His atonement is eternal.  My self-confidence and self-worth have improved since I became a missionary.

You are either faithful or fearful, and I was fearful.  Finally I decided to be faithful and as soon as I made that decision, things started going well.  "Doubt not fear not."  Simple little mottoes have helped me so very much.  Looking back I can see that the Lord was with me throughout my mission, even the really tough times when I thought I was alone.

I came because I felt a lot of pressure to serve.  I came out and for six months I still didn't feel like I belonged here.  Moved in with 3 other elders and they all seemed so happy.  I asked my Dad what I could do to love this mission.  He told me to be grateful.  So I started being grateful. Daily, I began to write down what I was thankful for.  It changed my mission.  I loved this mission so much.  There has never been anything in my life that has been greater.  I have learned to love The Book of Mormon and I know it is true.  I don't want to go home yet!

Dave: I wish I could take time this night and talk for sevearal minutes about each one of you, but it has been such a privilege to watch you each grow as you have taken the Savior Jesus Christ into your heart.  Now go out into the world and find your place, and confidently stand as a witness of Jesus Christ wherever you are.

Voice choked with emotion, Dave spoke about their faithfulness, their goodness and their diligence, and bore testimony to the reality of the Savior.

The last couple of hours has been so very beautiful.  I love these young people.  I pray that they will go home and find their places and stand strong in their faith and the knowledge they take with them of the Savior and His Gospel.


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