Dear Elder or Sister Leaving on a Mission

This is a copy of a letter given to me by a very close friend when a I left, Scott. I still have the original. I then modified when Nathan, Anziano Eads left and he has since modified it some.  So it is offered as a letter to any Anziano or Sorella leaving to any mission in the world.  As it says, happiness. Active service in the lives of others does bring so much happiness.

Dears Elder or Sister,

     Welcome to another month, but this month is unlike any other month in your life, for it is the month in which you labor as an ambassador for our Savior Jesus Christ.  Never will you feel so important than in sincere service to our fellow man, to bring them into the fold, so share the happiness that come from the love of our Heavenly Father.  The Spirit will be with you always, like you have never experienced before.  Therein lays the gift of tongues.  You will say things that you never knew, as you teach by the Spirit, and your testimony will grow as does those of the families and individuals you teach.

     Times will become difficult, companions may not always be what they should; the harvest, although ripe, may often appear as a drought, and Satan works harder on you than he has ever done before. However, the Lord is very close to you.  As you serve diligently, the Lord provides many blessings, even more than you thought possible.  Companions and personal weaknesses are changed through prayer, and the Lord will send rains in His season to liven the harvest after you have proven you are worthy of those rains.  Above all beloved missionary, you will grow from all these things.

     Now because the Lord is nearby, when you resist temptations, Satan cannot touch you! You will feel so clean, so worthy, and that to brings happiness.  The mission you are embarked on will please you Elder or Sister, and give you enough joy to last the eternities if you let it.  If your desires are righteous and pure, the Lord will bless you to fulfill your righteous desires.
 THIS is the time of YOUR life! Work hard, be obedient, follow the Spirit, forget yourself and look to others and their needs and you will find out the purpose of life, for each of us to live in such a way that we become as the Savior is (3Nephi 27:27).

     So, is your mission a sacrifice?  Each missionary has to decide this for himself/herself, but in my case I will tell you my answer.  I have received so many blessings, have overcome so many personal weaknesses, have learned to love everyone, and I do not mean this as a cliche, but I truly learned to love everyone, and I went home so much happier than I ever imagined I could be.  See, I learned where such happiness lies and it is in service to others. That is what it means to be Christlike, to place the needs of others above your own. So again was this a sacrifice? NO WAY! Is it a sacrifice to be blessed, to become closer to our Savior, to become more like Him, and to bring my fellow brothers and sisters to the Gospel and Church?  To find the eternal joy of service and love toward others; no, this was/is not a sacrifice though others may view it as such.

     All that you learn will come one day at a time, so look for those spiritual experiences, sometimes they can go by unnoticed.  So you will need to recognize the Spirit as He works, and as you do so, you will see the marvelous works and wonders of our Lord.  Stay close to the Savior through scripture study, companion study, training's and listening to the counsel of your mission president.

     So Elder/Sister, go forth each day to teach, love, endure, sacrifice, obey, overcome, baptize, cry, and love some more. Happiness Elder or Sister,  I'm telling you it brings so much happiness.  One last thing, ALWAYS, in ALL conditions, good or difficult, ALWAYS remember that our Savior loves you and watches over you at all times. Your are His servant and He is ever so mindful of His missionaries. They have a very close place in His heart. Your blessings from this mission will continue the rest of your life, growing, increasing, as your capacity for love and service increases.  Happiness, this will bring you so much eternal happiness.