It is Glorious, but Not Glamorous
When I was first called as a new mission leader, I thought of all the many new opportunities and interesting people that I would meet. It felt a bit glamorous like a sightseeing cruise as I thought about living in a foreign country. I quickly adjusted any of those expectations during our first road trip across the desert.
We were dressed in our Sunday clothes and after several hours of traveling, I told my husband and the two elders in the backseat that I would like to stop at the next gas station to use the bathroom. The elders gave each other a funny look as they explained to me that it would be much more pleasant for me to go to the bathroom along the side of the road than to use any offered by a gas station. As I looked around, there were no trees or bushes, but rather small rocks scattered about the dust of the desert. I had no other options than to hide behind the car and hope to time my business right for passing traffic. I realized then that our mission experience would be very different from what I had expected. I have learned since to plan ahead but to also expect the unexpected!
Just a few weeks ago, we traveled again to Mollendo on the coast. It was off season, so the hotel wasn’t great and our food selection for dinner was dismal because everything was closed. As the Sunday morning meeting began with the President and I seated on the stand, I looked over at the local families as they crowded into the small room to worship. There was excitement in the air as they entered, dressed in whatever clothes they owned. It was a beautiful sight to see them and I was reminded that long before our mission, I had expressed a desire in prayer to see the gospel roll forth into the far corners of the world. I realized that day, my prayer had been answered. It was glorious, but certainly not glamorous. I literally laughed out loud as I thought of my earlier false assumptions at the beginning of our mission. I was then reminded of the living and traveling conditions for ancient prophets from the scriptures as well as the early pioneers. This work has always been difficult and a bit chaotic and frankly never glamorous. Yet despite this, it has always been glorious because it is about faith in our Savior Jesus Christ!
This experience reminded me of the personal changes that I have made while serving a mission. I admit that it took some time for me to see this marvelous work for what it is. I needed to accept injustices, the uncomfortable, the strange, and the confusing because this is the way of the Lord and not the way of the world. It isn’t always pretty or well polished because this work is carried out by imperfect men and women who have only been asked to do their best. Thankfully, the Lord has promised to make up for the rest and with my continued development, I can see that it is indeed more glorious than I could have ever imagined!
Quotes and scriptures that support my learning:
The more I cheerfully respond to difficult circumstances with faith in the lord, the more I grow in my discipleship. - Elder Isaac Morrison
Our relationship with God will grow only to the degree we are willing to place our trust in Him. -Elder Paul B. Pieper
D&C 65:2-5
2 The keys of the kingdom of God are committed unto man on the earth, and from thence shall the gospel roll forth unto the ends of the earth, as the stone which is cut out of the mountain without hands shall roll forth, until it has filled the whole earth.
3Yea, a voice crying –prepare ye the way of the Lord, prepare ye the supper of the Lamb, and make ready for the Bridegroom.
4 Pray unto the Lord, call upon his holy name, make known his wonderful works among the people.
5 Call upon the Lord, that his kingdom may go forth upon the earth, that the inhabitants thereof may receive it, and be prepared for the days to come, in the which the Son of Man shall come down in heaven, clothed in the brightness of his glory, to meet the kingdom of God which is set up on the earth.
Numbers 14:21
But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord.
