tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25975619193792758942024-03-20T04:06:16.864-07:00Words from WashingtonAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16164160634234484558noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597561919379275894.post-56514309487855833112013-06-23T18:35:00.000-07:002013-06-23T18:35:47.975-07:00Mission Pictures<div style="text-align: center;">
I am so fortunate to have a family of photographers. </div>
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I wanted to get pictures before my mission so I could look back and remember what it was like, how I felt and what I looked like! This is such a fun time in my life and I want to be able to remember them. </div>
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I had my farewell today.</div>
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I can hardly believe it is already over with, it really puts things in perspective for how close I am to really leaving.</div>
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Time is flying and I don't know how I feel about it. </div>
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But I especially feel blessed today from all of the love and support I received from everyone around me.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16164160634234484558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597561919379275894.post-34250896194628650822013-05-28T20:26:00.000-07:002013-05-28T20:26:00.206-07:00Gladly Sacrificing<div style="text-align: center;">
Last year, about this time, I did a post on my personal blog called <a href="http://heyhayhay93.blogspot.com/2012/07/credit-for-sacrifice.html">Credit for a Sacrifice</a>.</div>
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It was all about the sacrifice that, at the time, tons of my guys friends around me had made and the few girls who also had chosen to serve full-time missions.</div>
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I looked back on this and was amazed by 2 things.</div>
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1. How long the list really is! Seriously! Did I really know that many people serving missions a year ago?</div>
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2. The girls are steppin' it up now. That is for sure.</div>
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The list was long and I was impressed with that.</div>
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But now, thinking about how many more of my friends have accepted the call to serve in the last year is crazy. </div>
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That "long list" from last year would be nothing compared to what it is now. </div>
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And what a blessing that is.</div>
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Thinking about my call to serve, my call to sacrifice, and reading that post from last year, really just gets me thinking.</div>
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I was amazed that those teenagers could give up so many worldly things to serve.</div>
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That they put school on pause while they head out.</div>
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There is no Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Blogger.</div>
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Not to mention no cell phone, computer, TV, movies.</div>
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Then of course, no friends, family, pets, significant others.</div>
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A year ago, this thought was astounding to me.</div>
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I love my social media, my movies, my friends!</div>
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It was amazing to me that these people gave it all up.</div>
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Now that I have my call and have been placed in these missionaries shoes, I have a new understanding of this sacrifice.</div>
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We many not have those worldly things, but you know what we do have?</div>
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There is Preach My Gospel, Book of Mormon, Prayer, Faith.</div>
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Not to mention, a badge, journals, a testimony, letters.</div>
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Then of course, companions, investigators, strangers in a new place, and the Lord.</div>
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I now understand why these people sacrifice what they do. </div>
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Because the things you receive from your mission are far greater than anything else here can give you.</div>
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Facebook never made me feel the spirit so strongly like Preach my Gospel does.</div>
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My cell phone has never allowed me the constant companionship of my Savior Jesus Christ.</div>
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My friends have never gone door to door with my like my companions will.</div>
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The sacrifice of these things are small in comparison.</div>
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Small compared to the sacrifice Joseph Smith made to bring the gospel back to the Earth so that I would even have the chance to serve.</div>
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And definitely small compared to the sacrifice my Savior Jesus Christ has made </div>
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He literally gave up his life so that I, and all of you, could return to live with our Heavenly Father again. </div>
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I am often astounded at the thought of what Christ went through for me, and you. </div>
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It often makes me realize how much I take for granted.</div>
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It especially makes me realize how being called to serve a full-time mission is a sacrifice, but it is nothing compared to what Christ has done for us.</div>
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I can wait to see some of my friends for 3 years.</div>
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I can handle not being able to update my instagram.</div>
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I can wait to see all the new movies and take naps all the time.</div>
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It's just not what is important.</div>
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I wish I could stress that enough.</div>
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What is important is bringing people to Christ.</div>
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Allowing them to hear the words their loving Heavenly Father wants them to hear.</div>
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Being a servant in His hands while I give up 18 months of my life to serve.</div>
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I can't wait to get out there to Washington.</div>
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I can't wait to meet those people and share with them what I know to be true.</div>
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I can't wait to show my Savior that what he did was for a good cause.</div>
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That I would not be where I am without Him and for that, I will gladly sacrifice my time and efforts for a short year and a half.</div>
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Here's to the next 40 days until I am a full-time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16164160634234484558noreply@blogger.com0