You've probably already seen this, but it definitely felt a lot different for me when I watched it after receiving my call.
I also got a lot out of this talk (A Spiritual Adventure).
The other day, this kid asked me what I was most excited about for my mission. I thought about it, and realized my answer: "You know how you see pictures of missionaries with a whole family dressed in the white baptismal jumpsuits? I want a picture like that."
I'm going to be honest with you, I didn't have the burning of the bosom that I thought I would have when I opened my call. Actually, I was more freaking out because I had guessed the place I was going seconds before I knew it would be Peru. I did feel peaceful, and excited, and I'm so grateful for this opportunity. But it wasn't until later, when I refocused and remembered why I was going, that I felt the Spirit and knew that Peru will become somewhat of a sacred place for me. There have been a lot of mission calls going out recently, and today I had yet another experience with someone being (or at least appearing to be) somewhat unimpressed with their mission call. Granted, I guess I don't really know what it's like to be going somewhere that might not seem exciting at first (I hope that's okay for me to say without sounding like I'm bragging), but it makes me sad, and I just hope that they find what they're looking for soon.
I also have to admit that yesterday, I found myself thinking of other places I'd like to go on my mission rather than Peru. Oh, the humanity! It wasn't until today that I remembered the thought that came to me on my drive back to school from opening my mission call. I just felt God saying something like, "Shae, you're going to love those people in Peru." And I knew that I really will. And you will love those New Jerseyians so so much. This is not a vacation. It's not a trip I'm taking as a tourist. It's a mission for Jesus Christ. It's going to be hard and disappointing more often than not. But for every person that I help know their Savior better, I know I will come to know Him better myself. I don't think I even realize right now how happy I am that Jesus Christ has allowed me to be a part of that process.
Thanks for this. I think a lot of people feel this way...Don't get me wrong, I'm excited for my mission and really glad for the opportunity, but in all honesty, at first thinking "I could be going anywhere and speaking any language" and then finding out I'm going to the "Armpit of America" where most of the things I hear about it is how sketchy and dangerous and ghetto it is, it did take some getting used to. And I have since heard some good things from people who've been there. But I think it's so easy to think like that right now because that's all we have, really, is the "where and when." There are things we can do to prepare of course but there's no way we'll really know what it's like until we're out there. And when we're out there, it'll all kind of be the same no matter where you are. The work is the same, the environment changes. But that's not now. And I really have found that when not actively trying to feel the Spirit, I feel lazy and scared about going, like "what the cuss am I even doing?" I came home from my call opening and ate large amounts of cake and watched TV till I fell asleep, I was in like a spiritual coma for a few days. But luckily there is a stronger force working against the adversaries force, and all you can do is trust and hold on. And by you, I mean I. The ups and downs have already started, and they'll only get more extreme, but the important part is to not let the downs bring us down. Sorry that was kind of a downer haha
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