Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Goodbye's have become a specialty of mine. They don't make me cry, never have. Everything, and I mean literally almost everything, else makes me cry, but not saying goodbye. I've found the place in my head and my heart where I have to store it so that it doesn't weigh me down. It's my way of coping I suppose. I've adapted an "out of sight, out of mind" outlook and it works for me. It makes me seem forgetful or heartless sometimes, but it's all I know how to do.

When I had to say goodbye to Greg though, this was not the case.

Let the record show that big girls do cry.

It makes it easier to know that he is going where he is needed most though, that he isn't just leaving but he's going where he is meant to be.

Greg, if you are reading this, I hope you know how proud I am of you, who you are and the choices you have made. Knowing you has changed my life and I've grown so much. The people of Spain don't know how lucky they are! Yet. They will soon haha The work you will be doing is eternal and essential. You will be changing many more lives than my own.

Go out there and give it your all. Treat every minute like you are in the middle of your mission, as Uchtdorf said. Stay focused, and love the people. It's not about numbers, it's about souls and every single one is just as enormously important as the next. If they slam the door in your face, go back and knock again another day. It's called determination, not annoying!

Be kind, thoughtful, caring and charitable. Sometimes the key to getting in the door is getting in their hearts first by serving them in any way you can.

Have patience, don't get discouraged, don't give up. You are doing the Lord's work, and he will help you in every way if you will but ask. Pray often, pray always and look to Him for what you should do. Strive to always follow the promptings of the Spirit because that stuff is gold.

Learn, grow, teach, gather the sheep and for goodness sakes, write your mother every week.

You're going to be an incredible missionary and I can't wait to hear all of your stories! You'll be in my thoughts and prayers :)

Goodbye and good luck.

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