What Have I Become?

On the agenda during our not-so-recent trip to Utah was my mission reunion. It has been 17 years since I returned home from serving the Lord as a missionary in the Missouri Independence Mission & Independence Visitor's Center.

Thursday I organized a lunch get together for the VC (Visitor Center) Sisters.

Sistes Silva, Andruski, Neilsen,Wolfe, Baadsgaard, Hatch, Jeppson

 

Thursday evening President Rogers invited any who would like, to attend a sealing session officiated by him in the Bountiful Temple. (He was called as a sealer 5 years ago).

Friday evening was the mission reunion in Farmington, UT.


A wonderful tribute to a wonderful mission president, President & Sister Rogers

Sisters Silva, Simper, Andruski, Wardle, Jeppson, Davis, Young,
Lines, Hansen, Burgess & Highland

 

It was fabulous to be reunited with these amazing missionaries.  The sisters I served with as companions & in the Visitors Center saw me at my worst & at my best. They experienced right along with me the Lord molding me & helping me to grow. As we were reunited there was a universal feeling of Christ-like love for one another. No matter where life has taken us since, I will always remember that we were in the trenches together & they will forever hold a very special place in my heart!

 

The theme of a short meeting in the chapel that evening was based from a talk by Elder Dallin H. Oaks, entitled, "The Challenge to Become ".  What have I become because of my mission? What has the mission done for me? After giving these questions some serious thought I realized I became a lot because of my opportunity to serve the Lord full-time for 18 months as one of his missionaries.

 

 I became someone who has the courage to teach.

 I became someone who has the courage to "open their mouth". 

 I became someone who LOVES to teach about the Savior.

 I became someone who will stand strong & not do things for the praise of men.

 I became someone who understands what it means to "not run faster than you have strength".

 I became someone who experienced a change of heart.

 I became someone who has the "faith to follow & not fuss".

 I became someone who will always "Follow the Brethren".

 I became someone who desired to fulfill my divine rolls as a wife & mother. 

 

Serving a mission helped me become much of who I am today!