Mission Parallels

Yesterday I got to listen to two different just returned missionaries speak in their families' sacrament meetings.  One was my neighbor across the street.  The other was another young man from our stake.

My darling neighbor was wonderful to hear speak of his missionary experiences and the many things he's learned.  He spoke on the topic of miracles still occur.  At the close of his remarks, our stake president stood with him and asked him to describe his feelings as he was released from his full time mission on Friday evening.  Jordan got a little weepy and said that he really didn't want to be released because he had so loved his mission and the closeness he felt to the Spirit and the love he had fro the people he served.

I can relate.

The second young man spoke of his mission in Jackson, Mississippi.  He too told stories of those he met and taught and of some of the marvelous learning opportunities a mission gave him.  Then he said something that hit me.  He said that he was told "When you come to love those you serve, your mission will be a success."

I think I can relate to that one as well.

I am not serving a full time mission, but I do love my calling in the Stake Young Women presidency.  I love the women I work with now--just as I loved those I worked with int he previous presidency.  And I absolutely love the Young Women we serve.  I enjoy the working relationship we share with our inspired stake presidency and the wonderful high councilors we have worked with over the years.  And I love--and have learned much from--the ward YW presidencies we have the honor of serving.  But I mostly love the girls.  And I have felt the Spirit witness to me of the love our Heavenly Father has for these young women--His daughters.  That is an overwhelming realization.

Hearing these young men relate their feelings of their missions and drawing the parallels to my own calling at the moment, made me grateful for the opportunities given me.  And really makes me treasure the time I have left--however long that may be.