Week 36

What an outstanding experience this last week of the transfer has been. I am very enthusiastic and willing going into this new transfer as week 1 is already here. 

This work is hard. It truly is. But the Lord didn't ask for our capability, He asked for our availability and as we serve Him diligently with optimism and faith He will qualify us. What a spectacular blessing. I love the quote from President Russell M Nelson that he shared about surviving spiritually in the days to come. This plan we have been presented is all about preparation. Our purpose as missionaries entails quite a bit of preparation. With that preparation and purpose we are promised power.

The mission experience definitely provides blessings in our lives and the lives of our families. The mission will help us as individuals prepare for marriage and fatherhood. The mission helps provide opportunities to grow spiritually and our relationship with our Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ. So yes the mission may in the long term affect be "for us" and "for" our lives, but it is never and never has been "about" us. The moment we come to understand that this work is not just a great opportunity but truly a Sacred Privilege, we are one step closer to becoming self mastered and we build our trust with our Father in Heaven. We need to willingly and humbly submit ourselves. Not when we want to or when we feel we need to. But when the Lord needs us to, and that is always and in all things. This work is not about us.

I feel that the opportunity I have to be back here is no coincidence. I am grateful beyond measure for this privilege and I owe all of my time and energy to those who represent Him in carrying out His work. I want to serve the Lord with the entirety of my heart that has been softened immensely for this time presented to me to serve, again. 

I commit to give my all. Not in a cliche way. I really mean give it my all. I have had the opportunity to understand what it is like to return home from the mission field. I know what temptations await me and I need to utilize this time to prepare those around me as well as myself spiritually so we can survive in these coming days.
I also commit to love those I serve around. I pray to be able to see every opportunity through serving in New areas and with new companions as a time to "change, grow, and become" as President Bateman would often remind me to do.

-Elder Newbold