The Best Two Years

      As a full-time missionary in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints we have the opportunity to be a representative of the Lord Jesus Christ for two years.  Many people may look at this as a burden.  What about school?  What about a career?  What a waste of two years!  I have heard these things 100's of times as I have been on a mission.  The joys and blessings of serving a full-time mission are so personally sacred, they are hard to express adequately.  I will try my best too explain just a few of them.

                                          

    The last thing that the Savior said before leaving his apostles was "Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." (Matt. 28:19)  This commandment is still in effect today and he calls each and every young man to go and serve a mission.  It is our responsibility to accept this call from the Savior.  When we accept and follow the Saviors command, blessings follow.  As a full-time missionary I have never experienced so much joy.  I have been able to serve and help so many people.  I have made so many friends out here, and more importantly I have seen many of these friends choose the savior and follow his example, and now these friendships can last an eternity. 

    I had an experience last week that reaffirmed to me how much joy missionary service brings.  I went back to my first area for the day, up in Mckinleyville.  While I was there I was able to visit the Sonato family.  Maria one of the daughters was the first person  of whom I helped baptize on my mission.  Going back and seeing her brought back so many memories and in that moment the spirit helped me realize that this joy and this friendship will be eternal.  Her life has truly been changed as she has chosen to follow the savior.  And as a result our friendship will last throught the eternities.  Is there anything else I could be doing in my life right now that would be better than that?

     I am so grateful to be a missionary.  I know that there is nothing at this time in my life that would have a greater benefit to my future than serving my heavenly father.  Something else that is bringing me such great joy is that my brother leaves on his mission this Wednesday.  He is going to be a powerful missionary.  I know the Lord will bless him for his service.  The Lord Jesus Christ is truly at the head of this work.  May we all share the gospel as our Father in Heaven commanded us.