Dear Reader,
There is something that I have never shared with anyone. It is a type of pet-peeve I have. When people post on social media on the anniversary of their departure to or arrival from serving a full-time mission for the LDS Church. You have probably seen people who share things like, "Today marks 2 years since I got home from the best 2 years of my life!" or "Today is the year-mark of being back from my mission in [insert name of city or country here]." Before getting all up in arms, I want to tell you that it is certainly NOT a bad thing to celebrate these milestones. Don't worry, I will never think less of somebody for commemorating that monumental step in their life. It just stirs something inside me every time I see a post or comment to that effect.
With that said, I am going to be a complete hypocrite and share that two years have passed since ending my full-time missionary service. "Wait a second, Gus. Doesn't that bother you when people do that?" Yes, it does. However, I want to explain an idea that sometimes gets brushed aside when talking about the 'best two years.'
Two years is spent as a missionary and you grow a lot. It is a great time in the life of a young latter-day saint. However, as President Thomas S. Monson has said, "I still feel that the mission was the best two years for my life." That is one of the truest things spoken by a prophet of God. Since the time when I traveled back the United States and having traveled to Europe as well, there are so many things I learned on the mission that help me immensely. I am grateful for many of those things. Here is a short list of the blessings that I have now and will have in the future because of missionary service (In no particular order):
1. Knowledge of a second language. More than that, I know better how to listen to other people and what they want to say.
2. Experience talking with people from all walks of life. This has allowed for a great appreciation for the life I have and a greater desire to help others in their life. There are so many different types of people and it is important to love them the way that they need to be loved.
3. Confidence in my abilities. After being asked to provide various types of service, both physical and administrative, I can boldly say that I can perform certain tasks.
4. Understanding of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Among all the questions in life, all of the answers can be found within the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
There are many other things I gained from two years of missionary service abroad. Blessing #4 is something that has increased even more since I have been back, being in what some members of the Church of Jesus Christ call 'the real world.' There is certainly a culture-shock upon returning home. Life is the same, but different. There are so many other things I have learned since being home and I know I will learn as life moves forward.
One of my good friends had a lot of foresight when she asked the question about putting Christ in place of several things that were happening when I got home. Looking back at what she said, I can say I have made a lot of progress. I didn't understand how to make the change that she was talking about, but today I understand it better. I know with certainty things I just believed before. Now it is on to make it another great two years after the best 4 years for my life.
There is something that I have never shared with anyone. It is a type of pet-peeve I have. When people post on social media on the anniversary of their departure to or arrival from serving a full-time mission for the LDS Church. You have probably seen people who share things like, "Today marks 2 years since I got home from the best 2 years of my life!" or "Today is the year-mark of being back from my mission in [insert name of city or country here]." Before getting all up in arms, I want to tell you that it is certainly NOT a bad thing to celebrate these milestones. Don't worry, I will never think less of somebody for commemorating that monumental step in their life. It just stirs something inside me every time I see a post or comment to that effect.
With that said, I am going to be a complete hypocrite and share that two years have passed since ending my full-time missionary service. "Wait a second, Gus. Doesn't that bother you when people do that?" Yes, it does. However, I want to explain an idea that sometimes gets brushed aside when talking about the 'best two years.'
Two years is spent as a missionary and you grow a lot. It is a great time in the life of a young latter-day saint. However, as President Thomas S. Monson has said, "I still feel that the mission was the best two years for my life." That is one of the truest things spoken by a prophet of God. Since the time when I traveled back the United States and having traveled to Europe as well, there are so many things I learned on the mission that help me immensely. I am grateful for many of those things. Here is a short list of the blessings that I have now and will have in the future because of missionary service (In no particular order):
1. Knowledge of a second language. More than that, I know better how to listen to other people and what they want to say.
2. Experience talking with people from all walks of life. This has allowed for a great appreciation for the life I have and a greater desire to help others in their life. There are so many different types of people and it is important to love them the way that they need to be loved.
3. Confidence in my abilities. After being asked to provide various types of service, both physical and administrative, I can boldly say that I can perform certain tasks.
4. Understanding of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Among all the questions in life, all of the answers can be found within the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
There are many other things I gained from two years of missionary service abroad. Blessing #4 is something that has increased even more since I have been back, being in what some members of the Church of Jesus Christ call 'the real world.' There is certainly a culture-shock upon returning home. Life is the same, but different. There are so many other things I have learned since being home and I know I will learn as life moves forward.
One of my good friends had a lot of foresight when she asked the question about putting Christ in place of several things that were happening when I got home. Looking back at what she said, I can say I have made a lot of progress. I didn't understand how to make the change that she was talking about, but today I understand it better. I know with certainty things I just believed before. Now it is on to make it another great two years after the best 4 years for my life.
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