I was called to serve in the Philippines Laoag mission August 17th, 2016- August 8th 2018. Before I served my mission I thought the day would never come for me to go. Then while I was on my mission I thought the day would never come for me to leave. But now, here I am, my last couple of days in the mission. I'm about to head to Manila, then to the Los Angeles airport, and then home to Utah.
I've experienced so much in the past 2 years as a missionary. I've witnessed several people run away and hide from me, yell at me and tell us to go away and never come back, just for teaching a gospel that is centered on families, happiness, and Jesus Christ. At other times, I've seen so many people accept the gospel, and the impact that it's had on them.
I've seen several members of the church also help bring others to Christ because that's what we do. I am a representative of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, called to serve among his people in the Philippines. 2 years of pure service is not easy, but neither was the 3 year service of Jesus Christ.
The uncomfortable situations that I had, such as walking in the blazing heat or pouring rain, fitting in little tiny side cars attached to a motorcycle, sweating while sleeping and experiencing several power outs during my time...all this to try teach people that might listen to us. But the Savior did more. He walked farther, experienced more rejection and pain, and performed the ultimate sacrifice which ended with Him agonizing in the Garden of Gethsemane and dying on the cross. Because of Him, the Atonement was completed, death was overcome and we now have the opportunity to fix our mistakes to become like Him.
Although these 2 years to me may have felt like an eternity, if you really compare it to how long eternity really is, it's about as fast as a blink of an eye. I know I've grown so much while I've been here spiritually, mentally, and even physically.
They say that serving a mission is a shortcut to maturity, and I believe it. I still have several faults, and things to improve, but I feel I can say I'm a changed man (I'm 20 now so technically I'm an adult :D). Throuhgout these 2 years I've studied so much about the gospel, in the Old testament, New Testament, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, Jesus the Christ and so forth. Yet I still feel my knowledge is about a grain of sand on a beach and I still have so much to learn.
So how does it feel as a full time missionary about to go home? Well for me personally, it doesn't feel real. It feels like I'm never going home. Yet I am, and I couldn't be more excited. But for now, it just feels like another transfer. I'm sure it'll hit me soon. Leaving is sad, but maybe it's the fact that I've left 6 other areas, which has prepared me to leave it all.
The mission is full of having to leave the people you come to love behind. It is sad to leave them all behind, but I know they were all left in good hands, and now the time has come to leave the country and return to the family I love even more.
It's weird to think I'm going on to my next chapter, yet life really does go by fast. I have loved the mission so much. Even though I thought about home often, like Elder Jeffery R. Holland says, I will go the rest of my life thinking about my mission. Although I wasn't perfect, I feel safe to say I have no regrets while I was on the mission, and worked hard until the end, so I can crash on the plane ;)
This branch was the best branch for me to end at. The people of Cabugao are so awesome, and the members are so helpful. I know soon Elder Peck and his new companion should also be having a couple of baptisms this month.
Missionary work is great, although sometimes it seems repetitive and hard. It's not about us as the missionary. It's about the person we help come unto Christ.
Whether I actually baptized the person, brought them to church or just gave them a Book of Mormon, I know that no effort is wasted. God's plan is perfect and things will all happen in His time.
To whoever is reading this I hope you know that I have a firm testimony that God lives. He loves every single one of us, and watches over us always. He weeps when we suffer and rejoices when we do what's right.
I know that because He loves us, He sent His only begotten son, Jesus Christ, to atone for our sins. Because of Him, we can become perfect and make it back to our Heavenly Father.
I know that God has restored His gospel through the prophet Joseph Smith. I also know that the Book of Mormon is true, and was translated by the power of God for us to know how to become more like Him.
And I know that God does not ever leave us. Because of Him, we still have a living prophet today, President Russell M. Nelson who guides us.
I am so grateful for the opportunity to have served as a missionary, in the country of my heritage, and the things I have learned here. I can apply these lessons for the rest of my life.
So this is it. I love the church, the gospel and I love my Heavenly Father and my Savior!
Elder Espiritu is now peacing out. See you all real soon!
Last zone activities and my member friends
More member friend pictures #Cabugao branch
