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| I LOVE AUSTRALIA! |
I can't believe it. I can't believe it's here.
It's the time you never think will come, but here it is staring me in the face.
My last full week of missionary service was great. So many appointments fell
through and we didn't meet our goals, but that's not what matters. What matters
is that even though it didn't go the way we planned, we kept pushing through
and because of it we had a great week.
This week I have been
reflecting on my missionary service. It has been rewarding, to say the least,
to reflect on the many lessons learned and blessing that have come to me
through my service as a full time missionary. Here are a few of the main ones.
*God is good. All
of the blessings that have come to me on my mission and the miracles I have
seen are not because of me, but because God has been good to me and blessed me
with them.
*God really is our
LOVING Heavenly Father. There have been times of overflowing joy and
times of deep sorrow on my mission. In both of those emotions it was evident to
me that God loves me and has a plan for me. He knows just what I need and He
lovingly guides me there. He isn't just waiting to condemn our every move, but
rather to help us accept the mercy that comes through His son, Jesus
Christ.
*Faith is in Jesus
Christ, not results. True faith is leaving the results to handle
themselves. I've found that the true measure of faith is when you keep going
even when the results that you want aren't coming. You know that through Christ
anything is possible, but that even if the desired miracle doesn't come you
keep going and moving forward because He knows a better plan for you.
*"Perfect love
casteth out fear." As I have prayed to be filled with the Savior's
love for others and myself it is the way I can make it through without any
fear. If you just concentrate on loving, then that pure love will help the Spirit
to guide you because that is what the Spirit is all about. Love.
*The power of personal
prayer. As I have striven to make my personal prayers more meaningful it
has changed my relationship with God to be a much more real and personal
relationship.
*Humility is the
secret to happiness. True humility is what brings the most happiness
in every part of life. Holding onto pride is never worth it.
*Anyone can change. It's
the most amazing thing that you get to witness on a mission. It doesn't matter
where they came from, anyone can change if they choose it. Myself included.
*"Judge not, that
ye be not judged." You never know where people have come from.
You can't always understand the way that they are and just because someone
lives differently than you doesn't mean that it's wrong. Even when it is
against church standards, you have to try to see where they are coming from
before you try to help them or they'll just feel judged.
These are but a few of
the priceless gems I have learned on my mission. It has been a beautiful
journey. As I studied on Saturday I was reading about how to know if
you're a successful missionary and about the power and authority of our
calling. Then I also read my setting apart blessing. As I read I carefully
considered my mission and the missionary and person I have become. I felt as I
read them that I have done my best. I have never been perfect, but I have given
my full effort. As I read I felt an overwhelming peace that God has truly
accepted my service and is proud of who I am, but more importantly He is proud
of who I'm becoming.
There is a song we listen
to as missionaries that I think is perfect. It says, "There is hope for me
yet, because God won't forget all the plans He's made for me. I'll just have to
wait and see. He's not finished with me yet."
I know that God isn't
finished with me yet. I know that this time as a full-time missionary was just
a springboard into a life of changing and progressing. I am eternally grateful
for God steering my path in this direction. Especially when I was so fixed in
another direction. I have been blessed beyond what I ever could have imagined
while being here and I'm so thankful for that.
I know that missionary
work changes people because it's changed me. I know that this isn't just a nice
church, but the only true church on the earth and I am so thankful to be a
member of it. I wouldn't trade that for anything.
I love you all. I can't
believe I get to see my family in just a few days. I love you with all my heart
and never could have done it without your love and support.
Heaps of love from down
unda,
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