The top photo is with none other than Aubrey Janzen (now Lee), who was an amazing companion and is an amazing friend. One discouraging day, when we were entertaining the idea of leaving our missions early and not even go to Romania at all, I told her I would tackle her in the parking lot with my skirt on. Thanks for saving others from seeing that show, Aubrey. :)The MTC was quite the experience--the beginning of the period in my life that I really felt like I was in the world, but not of the world. I look at that picture of me with my parents and two younger brothers and wonder how I didn't bawl my head off since I wouldn't be seeing them for 18 months, and I would only get to talk on the phone with them twice. Thank heavens for the internet and that we could at least e-mail weekly! (Sidenote: I did bawl my head off. A little bit when we went our opposite ways and then even more when I got to my room. But I survived! And so did they!)
I loved being a missionary. I wanted to be one for as long as I could remember. I loved wearing my nametag and having my life be all about testifying of Jesus Christ. I had a lot of hard times, and I had a lot of good times. If during one of those hard times, someone asked me if it was worth it, I probably would've said no and the head-bawling-off would commence. The good times in between those hard times definitely made up for it. I wouldn't trade the whole experience--including the highs and the lows--for anything. I am so grateful that I got to go and that I didn't give up.
Now here's a word I have to say about not giving up. One of the elders that was teaching me today was not very confident with the language. My heart went out to him because I could tell that he was discouraged and wondering if he was ever going to make it. I thought of my brother Nathan (the 11-year-old boy in the above picture) and how in four years, he will be in the MTC. It was an overwhelming feeling. So, this is to Nathan, who will likely only read this when I tell him to. DO NOT GIVE UP! There will be hard days, but overall it is worth it! The one Romanian sentence that elder said today with confidence was "Dumnezeu ne iubeste." (God loves us.) He said it every time it was his turn to speak. If he will remember that, he will be able to overcome all his challenges and trials. And there is someone, or perhaps many, people in Romania that need him to tell them that message. God loves us and has not forsaken us. He stands at the door and knocks. What will we do to let Him in?
I must also give myself this advice of not giving up as I now face a less-than-pleasant situation: job hunting. My temp-to-hire status at LexisNexis was never actualized, and they ended up letting me go. I took it rather well when it actually happened, since they had been threatening this type of thing for months. I have a really awkward story to share about that whole thing for another time. Right now, the job market awaits me.
4 comments:
That was a day I'll never forget and I bawled my head off too. I look back at that and wonder why I did, because after all, this WAS something you had planned for years and it really was a happy thing. Then I did it (bawled my head off) again 9 months later when Scott left. Maybe I'll be more brave when the time comes for Nathan... somehow, I doubt it!
I'm so pleased with you for not giving up! Oh the adventures you would have missed and we would have missed that great trip to Romania to bring you home.
That phrase, never give up, was on every letter I wrote to my younger brothers when they were on their missions! It was one I had to tell myself every day, and sometimes need to be reminded of now as a mother!
Good luck in the job hunt! Never give up!!
I LOVE THIS. And I will remember it. I have finals due this week. And I will NOT GIVE UP. :)
Ahhhhhhhh, memories :)
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