Today marks the two-year anniversary of the day I entered the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah.
ME, OCTOBER 22, 2014:
It's surreal to think the MTC is less than a mile up the street from the flat I currently sit in.
Serving a mission is something I never expected to do but I would never take back my experiences.
I wanted to take a minute to pay tribute to my mission and it's role in making me who I am today.
"Endure and Enjoy to the End"
seemed to be my personal theme of those 18 months.
Missions are hard.
You stretch and grow. It's painful.
But you grow in the best ways.
I learned what hard work actually is.
It's "one more door, one more day."
It's continuing to knock on doors when you're soaked to the skin, doors slammed in your face and you can hardly move or feel your hands to knock on the next.
It's getting up daily at 6:30am to study the scriptures so you are that much more prepared to share the beautiful plan of God to people who are searching for it.
It's standing up, chewing gum or pinching yourself while studying so you don't fall asleep. Just so you can help the people you come in contact with.
It's keeping your held high when others don't treat you like a human being.
It's doing all you can everyday. Especially when you're sick, exhausted, frustrated and depressed.
I learned about obedience.
That obedience to God and His will should be our priority.
That it's hard to give up temporary desires for something better in the future.
That obedience brings blessings but exact obedience brings miracles.
That it's about doing the right thing even when you are alone.
I learned about power.
That God's power surpasses all and He does everything because He loves us.
That when you're worthy and filled with His power and authority, "great things are brought to pass."
That our mind's are powerful.
That we have the power to change.
That taking leaps of faith when we're scared shows how powerful humans are.
I learned about culture.
That people do things differently, and that's okay.
That people want to share their traditions and how they live.
That taking time to learn about other people is essential.
That no matter where we live, we each decide who we are.
That no matter the circumstance, we are all children of that same Being who created us.
That everyone is beautiful. And everyone has a story.
I learned about true joy.
It's living with our Heavenly Father and our Saviour Jesus Christ for eternity.
It's seeing people change for the better.
It's improving yourself.
It's loving and serving those around you.
It's when people show you acts of love even when you don't think you deserve it.
It's completing the work you're called to do.
I learned about love.
That love drives everything.
That love is powerful.
That sometimes, we need to pray to love others.
That Scotland and Ireland have pieces of my heart.
That God loves every single person who has lived on this planet, lives now and will live.
We have everything we do because of love.
That we are never alone.
That the world needs more love and anyone who feels they can't change the world, can through love.
I can not adequately sum up what I learned in those 18 months but I can say that it changed me forever. I know that I am less than the dust of the earth but eternally grateful my Heavenly Father allowed me to have these experiences..to continue becoming who I'm meant to.
Even though any missionary will tell you how tough it is, ENJOYING to the end is important.
Find the little things that bring a smile to your face. Make your own laughter.
Look to the beauties of the world around you, they are there to lift you up.
So thank you missionary work for teaching me so much about life. I still miss being "Sister Skagen" but I know that "Sahara" can learn, change and improve every day, too.
"Where E'er Thou Art, Act Well Thy Part"
Scotland/Ireland Mission
2014-2016
