3 years ago today I was a fresh naive missionary entering the MTC excited and totally unaware of what was coming. The next year and a half was the best time of my life. So I've been thinking about all the things I learned in my service as a missionary. I am who I am today in great part because of this incredible journey. So...some valuable things I learned...
I learned Spanish and Papiamento
I learned how to love people I didn't know
I learned to love people I didn't like
I learned to work even though you're dead tired
I learned to follow the Spirit even when you're not sure why
I learned to give comfort even when it makes me uncomfortable
I learned to hate contention
I learned to rely on the Lord first
I learned to love the scriptures
I learned to talk to strangers!
I learned to make delicious food
I learned you are strongest when on your knees
There are so many other lessons learned from the incredible 18 months I spent among the islands of the Caribbean. I think about the people there every day. I still think about moments, good and bad, from the mission. I wish I could see their faces again and hug them tightly. I am so grateful that I decided to serve. Aside from deciding to marry David, it was the best decision of my life.
Speaking of David...he is in El Salvador. This opportunity came up suddenly and I immediately told him to do it. We were a little hesitant cause he had to pay his own way, but it's worth it for preparing to apply to medical school. He's with a BYU venture company called 2ft. prosthetics. They go to struggling countries to provide a cheap alternative to expensive carbon fiber prosthetics. They figured out how to produce a prosthetic limb for only 20$ using PVC pipe. Amazing. So David is gone for 2 weeks with them really as their spanish man. He is the only in the group that speaks the language, so he's doing lots of translation. I'm alone until August 1st and being without him for one day has already made me appreciate what he does around here. I have taken him for granted.
Oh and he took my camera with him, and it's already been stolen. Oh well.
