LDS Mission
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I didn't grow up wanting or expecting to go on a mission. Years and years passed with no desire to dedicate 18 months of my life serving the Lord and others- no matter how true or wonderful I knew the Gospel was. Then one day during my junior year of high school, my seminary teacher told us about a program the church was doing called "The District". He said we had some extra time, so he turned on the first episode. "The District" followed several sets of missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints throughout their daily lives.
I remember the exact line that got me. It was a new missionary, fresh off the plane that very day, that was asked to hand out a Book of Mormon. The missionary said (reflecting on his sudden anxiety)," I can't mess this up. These are real people". And I knew. I have no idea why that line struck me- but it did. I raised my hand and declared that I had decided then and there that I was going on a mission (I'm sure my class thought I was delusional to decide that from a TV show).
And this coming from a 17 year old who refused to sleep away from home! But I realized then and there that this is real. The Gospel is real. The people are real. Missionaries have a real responsibility- and I have a responsibility to help lighten the load.
I know that I can do it because the Lord has shown me that I can. That uncertain 17 year old is now a high school graduate who is living out of state, working more than one job, and stretching herself as much as she can to be the best she can be. Why? Because with the Lord she can.
I have evolved so much in that short time- and I am determined to keep it up. But no matter how hard I try I know nothing I can do right now will compare to what the Lord will give me the power to do when I am doing His will "full time".
I just re watched that episode from "The District" for the first time since (spontaneously) deciding to go on a mission- and it had the same effect (hence this hecka long post).
I am awed by the power the Lord places in our hands when we have a righteous need. And I am so humbled to have the ability to earn as much funds as I can to support myself in serving. I know my sacrifices will one day be made up for one hundred fold!
~Red
I remember the exact line that got me. It was a new missionary, fresh off the plane that very day, that was asked to hand out a Book of Mormon. The missionary said (reflecting on his sudden anxiety)," I can't mess this up. These are real people". And I knew. I have no idea why that line struck me- but it did. I raised my hand and declared that I had decided then and there that I was going on a mission (I'm sure my class thought I was delusional to decide that from a TV show).
And this coming from a 17 year old who refused to sleep away from home! But I realized then and there that this is real. The Gospel is real. The people are real. Missionaries have a real responsibility- and I have a responsibility to help lighten the load.
I know that I can do it because the Lord has shown me that I can. That uncertain 17 year old is now a high school graduate who is living out of state, working more than one job, and stretching herself as much as she can to be the best she can be. Why? Because with the Lord she can.
I have evolved so much in that short time- and I am determined to keep it up. But no matter how hard I try I know nothing I can do right now will compare to what the Lord will give me the power to do when I am doing His will "full time".
I just re watched that episode from "The District" for the first time since (spontaneously) deciding to go on a mission- and it had the same effect (hence this hecka long post).
I am awed by the power the Lord places in our hands when we have a righteous need. And I am so humbled to have the ability to earn as much funds as I can to support myself in serving. I know my sacrifices will one day be made up for one hundred fold!
~Red
Organizer
Madison Miller
Organizer
Chandler, AZ
