One of the blessings of the pandemic is the various ways that missionaries can serve. In my mission the full-time missionaries were given four options - they could choose to be released early, they could work from their apartments until the offices and libraries are safe to open, they could go home to serve there with the expectation they could be called back when it's safe, or they could go home to finish from there. I guess technically I'm doing this last option. I came home five days early in order to see and hear Madeline report her mission. I'm so glad I did! She did a beautiful job!
My release date is Thursday, August 27, so this will be my last official letter as a missionary.
I had a very sweet exit interview with President Randall. In the short time I've worked with him, I have come to love and respect he and Sister Randall. He spent a half hour with me and was so kind in telling me how valuable my contribution has been to the mission. I told him about the process I went through in deciding to serve a mission, and he shared a sweet experience he had with then-Elder Eyring when he visited their mission in Japan. He told them of how a missionary is called, and he used Article of Faith 5:
"We believe a man must be called of God..." That's when you know you are to serve a mission - before you get the actual call letter from the prophet. When I knew in the temple that I was to serve a mission, that was when I was called of God.
"By prophecy..." That's when an apostle reviews the recommendation and compares it with the needs and receives that confirmation of where a missionary should serve. There are some wonderful conference talks about this sweet process - Elder Rasband gave one in April 2010. Because of the experiences I've had and the assignments I was given, I know that I was supposed to serve in the Utah Salt Lake City Headquarters Mission at this specific time.
"And by the laying on of hands..." My stake president set me apart and gave me a beautiful blessing, and I believe that I have experienced all the blessings that he gave me that night.
Then President Randall read to me out of the D&C - first in section 31 verse 5: "Therefore thrust in your sickle with all your soul, and your sins are forgiven you, and you shall be laden with sheaves upon your back, for the laborer is worthy of his hire...." Then from section 84 verse 80: "And any man [or woman] that shall go and preach this gospel of the kingdom, and fail not to continue faithful in all things, shall not be weary in mind, neither darkened, neither in body, limb, nor joint; and a hair of his head shall not fall to the ground unnoticed. And they shall not go hungry, neither athirst." I have definitely felt all these blessings. During a global pandemic, I haven't had so much as a cold. My "limbs and joints" though weak and painful at times, never caused me to not be able to serve.
This end of my mission is definitely a bittersweet time. I am glad to be home, but I will truly miss my friends and miss the work I've been able to do. I know that I have helped many people and been appreciated for what I have done. I'm grateful that I can continue to serve as a service missionary - still assigned to the Family History Department and working with people I know, doing things I know how to do, and I'm happy that I can do it from home. I know that the blessings for my family will continue. Thank you all for your love and support. I never could have done it without the knowledge and reality of your faith and prayers for me.
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