Family,
Things are going well here. We went to the temple on Thursday with all the new missionaries and President and his wife. I have been to the temple more than a dozen times here in Las Vegas, but this was a different experience from all the rest. The presence of new missionaries brought back a freshness to missionary work I once knew. They have such great enthusiasm, some. Others show they are still trying to figure out why they should be here. And for the majority of them, you can see their eager faces looking for answers they came to the temple to receive. As our session progressed it was easy to see the fulfillment they received and the confidence it gave each one of them.
I feel I have been looking at my mission so selfishly. Missionary work began for me August 25th 2010. What I failed to realize and notice was that missionary work here and everywhere had been occurring for a long time before I finally got off my tush to join the ranks. I was oblivious to the details of missionary work other than the white shirt and ties and the occasional dinner at my house. The only real fact I knew about missionary work was that it changes the person who enlists in it. That fact alone is what drove me to finally serve. As my service draws to a close as a full-time missionary I see the other part of my selfish perceptive. For the past 20 months I have been fearing the day that missionary work as I know it will cease; my release date. But I have just recently realized that missionary work will not end when I leave. The Nevada Las Vegas Mission has no release date. I love new missionaries. They remind me that my mission is not for me. It is for the lives that are changed and the work the Lord needs done.
Equally, I love the departing missionaries. They have taught me so many valuable things. Two years ago I struggled to take correction, advice, or counsel from those who were younger than me. In fact, knowing this was a weakness I avoided asking my Cadet Training Assistant during Field Training his age for fear that I might become insubordinate and ruin my hopes and dreams. So I asked him afterwards. He was 20, I was 22. I'm glad I waited. But not glad I had such a selfish outlook. I have learned in the mission field that those with more experience than I have great insights for me to apply. I have also learned that it is impossible to make someone else think the same way you do. Oh how I wish I could change the way people think. It would make my life much easier. Having companions who take the lead who are 3-4 years my junior is frustrating at times. But their maturity in many ways amazes me. I don't think I was half the caliber human being as they are now when I was their age. I admire them, love them, and learn from them.
We are teaching many people right now. Yet, none of them seem to be the 'elect.' The 'elect' are those who are prepared to receive the restored gospel. These are they that have open minds and soft hearts who are willing to lay aside whatever negative thoughts or comments they have been exposed to and empty their cup, if you will. They take our message and pray about its validity. They search for understanding and most importantly the Holy Ghost. The 'elect' desire to come closer to Christ. It seems that those we are teaching do not feel it is convenient right now. Coming to Christ is uncomfortable for them. We are struggling to help them see how comfortable it really is. But there is this thing called agency that they have and I cannot control it. So we pray and teach and invite.
I am so happy I came on my mission. There is no other place I would rather be.
Love,
EC
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