"Could we be ANY more vague in describing missions?!!?"

October 8, 2012

Oh man!!  Crazy week to be a missionary! 

For those who are not yet members, or for whatever reason did not watch General Conference, the prophet is lowering the mission age!  Young men can leave at 18, and young women at 19!!  (Previously guys left at 19, and girls at 21) 

This will really change the dynamic in the field, I'm excited to be here to witness the transition.

The work of the Lord is going faster than ever.  Remember, "The standard of truth has been erected. no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing.  Persecutions may arage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, and calumny may defame.  but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, til it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, til the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the the great Jehovah shall say the work is done."

With more missionaries than ever, I'm so excited for the world to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

Hey, anyone else LOVE Russel M. Nelson's talk?  and Hollands.  mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm :)

Anyways, so all you 18 & 19 year old women out there, get your papers in!  If you're younger, get ready now!

The work in Firgrove has been doing well.  For whatever reason, things had been going slow for quite awhile, so it's taken a lot of effort to get the momentum started, and pointed in the right direction.  Vast amounts of tracting have done just that however.  Last Friday we tracted for a solid 5 hours straight, and saw nothing from it.  But right afterwards we had a lesson with a part member family, and the 2 unbaptized children now have a baptism date :)

 

Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of Heaven.  Eternal principle.

I've had a bit of an epiphany.  Everyone knows their whole life that missions will be "hard."  but what on earth does that even mean?  "Hard"?  Could we be ANY more vague in describing missions?!!?   

The truth is we have to be vague, because everyone's mission is so different.  For some people the trial is serving in a third world country, for some it's the language,  for some it's talking to strangers, for some it's learning the gospel well enough to explain it to others.  For me right now, it's something else.  But when I signed up for a mission, I signed up for the miracles, the moments of intense happiness and peace, and overwhelming warmth.  I signed up for the feeling where your heart feels like its expanding, and there just isn't enough room in your chest to contain it.  I signed up for the tears of happiness, and for the eternal friends I've made.

And I also signed up for the hard things. :)  I've been praying like crazy, focusing on working hard and being obedient, and I'm going to get through this just fine.  I would, however, be forever grateful if you could pray for me!

Welp, little Lonas is gonna go.

Send me a letter if you get a chance!   :)

14213 103rd Ave Ct E

Apt C102

Puyallup, WA

98374

;)