So after a few more trips to the hospital, and many unanswered questions, I've returned home for a bit. My body basically has forgotten how to digest food properly, so onto discovering why and how to correct that.
It was a very difficult decision, as I really have enjoyed my time serving the Lord and coming to know all of the amazing people I had the chance to meet. I know that I personal have learned a lot during the past 6 months, and hopefully have been able to help others do the same. I can only imagine what more the 12 months I have left can hold.
We sent all of my information off to Missionary Medical (The medical offices for missionaries world-wide), and they felt it was best for me to return home as well. My mission president agreed, but left me with the final decision. After spending the past 3 weeks in and out of the hospital and not able to work much, with no solutions in sight, I understood their decision.
Thankfully I had the opportunity to attend the local temple before having to make my final decision, and I feel at peace with everything. My mission has truly meant the world to me, and I hope that things are resolved quickly so that I may return. But, to be a missionary we needn't have a name tag. We can help serve to build the kingdom of God where ever we are. I know that even though this has potentially ended my official service, I will never stop serving.
The gospel of Jesus Christ truly changes lives. I've seen people turn their lives around, and find peace in times of chaos. I've watched others truly come to understand their identity as Children of a Loving Heavenly Father. It makes all the difference.
In the recent general conference, Elder Bednar gave a talk which explains missionary work everso perfectly. He explained that one of His sons had a minor injury and his older brother helped clean it and then apply a soothing cream. He then went on to explain:
"The injured brother gathered up the remaining bandages and the almost empty tube of ointment, and he went back outside. He quickly sought out his friends and began to put ointment and bandages on their arms. Susan and I both were struck by the sincerity, enthusiasm, and rapidity of his response.
Why did that little boy do what he did? Please note that he immediately and intuitively wanted to give to his friends the very thing that had helped him when he was hurt. That little boy did not have to be urged, challenged, prompted, or goaded to act. His desire to share was the natural consequence of a most helpful and beneficial personal experience.
Many of us as adults behave in precisely the same way when we find a treatment or medication that alleviates pain with which we have long suffered, or we receive counsel that enables us to face challenges with courage and perplexities with patience. Sharing with other people things that are most meaningful to us or have helped us is not unusual at all."
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/come-and-see?lang=engI desire to share this gospel because I know that the atonement of Jesus Christ is real. That He has suffered everything that we suffer. He knows us, and understands us even better then we may understand ourselves. His atonement is the way. THE way. It is the only way to have true and everlasting joy in this life, and to be able to return to live with God again.
May you all see the blessings in each of your lives, and always remember what matters most.
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