Two years ago, in the MTC
Happy birthday Mom!
Did you like the singing? I even love you so much that I
have decided to make an appearance in person this week for you. Your other
present is en route to Raymond, AB as we speak. You will like it.
I don't know about you Dad, but I am sorry to hear about
Mom's schedule this upcoming week. Working Monday-Wednesday and Friday morning
will keep her mind at bay (to a point), but having Thursday as her day off is
going to kill her. I hate to come across as vain, but what is she going to
think about all day? Seeing a son come home from his mission, enjoying a long
car drive up to her hometown with 2 of her kids, only to see another of her
children and grandkids...poor girl...hang in there Mom. I am sure that Dad's
mind will also be hectic, but no where near Mom's.
Let me tell you about my remaining time. There is no way to
sidestep going home now, so I won't even try. I am going to Auntie Susan's
to supper tonight. She will get to meet yet another missionary I will be with.
I think the Warnes have not seen me with the same missionary twice...I am
excited to see family before I leave. It has been a little taste of home out
here. Also tonight we welcome Elder McDanel into the Office as the new
Assistant. He was trained in Dryden while I was in Kenora and I love that boy.
He is from Preston, ID and only a couple miles away from Elder Bodily. That's
good country, let me tell you. Tuesday will be spent at District Meeting at
10:30-noon and pictures afterwards. Then I return to my "exit
interview" at 2:00pm. I will be able to spend some time out in my area
that afternoon, then a supper appointment with members, and more time to work.
Wednesday: District Meeting, then I will have to leave early and go to the airport
to pick up the new missionaries. The new missionaries (all 10) will have their
interviews that afternoon and evening. My assignment is to supervise them and
get them through all the necessary orientation---all day. It will be fun doing
my best to inspire them. Thursday (Mom's long day): Breakfast at the Mission
Home at 8, then I will take a missionary out on exchanges for an hour or 2 and
then set up Transfer Meeting at Dalhousie chapel and have Transfer Meeting at
2-3. Then I hand in some of my CWM things that afternoon and get a little
training I guess you could say. Then I have supper at 5 and head off to my
Farewell Fireside at 7pm, where I am hoping to see a lot of people from Kenora, and various other people too, including Auntie Susan and Brent and their
family. They said they will try to make it out. After that, lots of pictures,
packing and then sleep (?). Friday...5am wake up to have breakfast and get to
the airport for my plane--which, by the way Dad, I will not miss---, take-off at 8:45, then a layover in Minneapolis and then arrival in
Boise at 1:30ish. That's what I know, and I only know it because I asked about
10 minutes ago. I love being a missionary and I will until the moment I get
on/off that plane. Then it is time to move on, as Bro. Callens so eloquently
put it, "enjoy the place of life you are in now". Then to paraphrase
the rest, Do not dwell on the past or future. Live for the now. That does not
mean to not think about past experiences or future experiences but I think you
know what I mean.
Mom, I have to ask...have you been counting down the days
for my entire mission? Lately I have heard of a lot of moms doing
that....anyway, I love you. See you Friday.
Dad, are you going to surprise me and shave
your mustache? Now that would be a shocker. No better time...
For anyone contemplating on whether to serve a mission or
not I give this advice: not only has the Lord commanded it, but you will grow
in more ways than you could ever imaginable--if you apply yourself. I now have
the tools to be a better instrument in the Lord's kingdom, to be a better
person, a better friend, a better future husband and father, a better disciple
of Christ and my testimony of the gospel has been fortified through experience.
I declare there is no other way to lasting happiness than through Christ. He
will make you free. Serve a mission, do not even think of not.
A few things from a fireside last night on agency and then I
have to close. "It is not a big deal to know the gospel is true when
compared to choosing to be a part of the Lord's training program (this
life)." Faith without works is dead. The gospel is a gospel of change and
action. The gospel works, it is real, it is true. Because it is real and true,
Jesus is the Christ, God lives and it is our duty to share such a glorious
message, whether a full-time missionary or not. I am eager to fulfill whatever
calling I will be given when I return. Sure I will have the RM fire, but
shouldn't we all? Is it not a blessing to serve the Most High? Are His
commandments not for our benefit? I testify it is a privilege to serve others
and that commandments are for our benefit. My exhortation to all is to stand
for truth whether in the comforts of church or home, or in the face of
opposition. God will bless us, and He will build us. Let us all choose to
"be anxiously engaged in a good cause", is my prayer.
One last time...what is the best part of the gospel? It is
all true. I love you all.
Elder Galbraith
No comments:
Post a Comment