Dear Parkway 8th ward Priest Quorum,
I wanted to write this letter to all of you to let you know my feelings toward missionary work.
I know we are all in different situations and there are definitely many things that can get in the way of our service to the Lord, whether it be school, work, Family situation, girlfriend, feel not good enough, unworthy (just repent). But I can tell you for me personally a mission was the best decision I could have ever made and I want to tell you a little bit why. I promise you that if you put the Lord first, He will take care of the rest and provide for your needs.
I can't completely describe all of my feelings towards the last 19 months of my life. But I will try to share a little bit.
I did not understand the magnitude of a call to serve the Lord until I got into the field and started to experience it. Without a doubt in my mind, I have felt that God is in charge of this and He is REAL. A mission has influenced my life for good more than anything I have ever done. I have learned to trust God, be obedient, love others, be responsible, be selfless, put the needs of others before mine, deal with/ work through problems/challenges, have unity with another person (companion), experience joy the way God prepared for us to, receive personal revelation, keep a budget, and use the priesthood to bless others, to name a few things!
The mission life consists of waking up at 6:30 am. Planning for your days events and in particular specific people that you are going to help that day better understand the gospel that brings light and hope into lives. Study the Gospel to help others. Going out, serving others, sharing the gospel with others, and always putting the needs of others before yourself. Sometimes it is not always easy but it really is a lot of fun. All of it is centered around others!
To be honest, my weaknesses have been exposed, at times I have felt not good enough to the point of tears, I have felt I can't keep going, I have felt sorrow when people reject or choose to not accept the happiness that the Gospel brings. And I am sure each of you will have these feelings at some point in the field, but it is all for our gain and benefit. I am convinced that it is to help us better understand what Christ did. Obviously He felt this to an incomprehensible level but through struggles we can better appreciate the love He has for us. Another reason we go through struggles, I believe, is to not only feel the lows sometimes, but to feel the highest of all highs. I have experience more satisfying joy on my mission than I have anywhere else in my life!
Yesterday I was able to give a baptismal interview to an 11 little girl, that reminded me sooo much of my little sister Mali. During the interview she told me she wants to get baptized because she knows that Heavenly Father exists. After she said that, I looked at her with tears in my eyes as if it was Mali, and as the spirit came over me very strongly I told her "I KNOW HE LIVES AND LOVES YOU." The joy that it brought into my soul, to see this 11 year old Taiwanese girl have a desire to better understand her relationship with her Heavenly Father, follow Jesus Christ, and come home was priceless! I have had many experiences like this that have brought me to some of the happiest points in my life. Helping others feel of God's love for them is one the most rewarding things you can do in life, I PROMISE. As a missionary it occurs very often!
I have learned lessons and grown in ways that I never could have except I be willing to sacrifice two years of my life to serving our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. My mission has helped me realize the true meaning of life, it has taught me to trust God, and put Him first in everything. I HAVE NEVER BEEN HAPPIER. I can tell you that your mission will not be perfect, things don't always go as planned or your way, but being in the service of the Lord brings a peace to your soul that you can't experience anywhere else. If you let Him, the Lord will mold you into the son, brother, colleague, companion, friend, father, and spouse you need to be for the rest of your life.
I promise you will never regret going on a mission, so trust God, have faith and GO!! Start preparing now. You personally can only go so far, but Jesus Christ can pick you up and take you the rest of the way. Going on a mission has changed my life FOREVER in the best way possible.
For those of you who are thinking about going:
READ THE BOOK OF MORMON WITH A SINCERE DESIRE TO KNOW IT IS TRUE AND PRAY ABOUT IT. I promise you, God will answer. You will through the Holy Ghost come to realize the reality of Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father. Your thoughts on church will change from "just a fun place for your family to go together" to literally knowing that this is God's church and by following it's teachings, you can receive happiness in this life and the life to come. That's when a desire to serve God's children comes! This is God's church on the earth, and if it be the will of God, (everyone is different), go fulfill your responsibility that you accepted in the pre-earth life. It will change your life.
Love
Elder Michael Henderson
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