In each person’s life several defining activities or events are foundational to all others. One of mine has been and is my two-year service as a missionary for the Church in Quebec Canada. A clear output was my grounding in the gospel of Jesus Christ and all that entails regarding my orientation, doctrinal alignment, focus, and values. Equally transparent are the learnings in discipline, commitment, hard work in challenging times, and relationship building. Perhaps less obvious experiences from the mission taught me: how to be a good partner to my spouse, how to lead effective, how to be an effective follower, how to work with youth, how to focus my studies and more.
Interestingly Friday I had lunch with two mission friends, one of whom I had not seen in decades. As the memories came flooding back, and as we shared the ebb and flow of the passing years I was once again reminded of how strong a link is forged with those with whom you share a spiritual bond. Physical and intellectual friendship can osculate with time but a spiritual bond deepens even when left unattended for a time. I relish my mission: all that it taught me, all that it made of me, and all those who helped me become. It truly is one of those seminal events.
Afterward had the opportunity to attend the Bountiful Temple. A beautiful temple, an incredibly beautiful celestial room. But lacking the intimacy of Chicago or St Paul.
Interestingly Friday I had lunch with two mission friends, one of whom I had not seen in decades. As the memories came flooding back, and as we shared the ebb and flow of the passing years I was once again reminded of how strong a link is forged with those with whom you share a spiritual bond. Physical and intellectual friendship can osculate with time but a spiritual bond deepens even when left unattended for a time. I relish my mission: all that it taught me, all that it made of me, and all those who helped me become. It truly is one of those seminal events.
Afterward had the opportunity to attend the Bountiful Temple. A beautiful temple, an incredibly beautiful celestial room. But lacking the intimacy of Chicago or St Paul.
