Once a Missionary, Always a Missionary

Today,while sitting outside the library studying that evil biology book, I was accosted by my roommate Hannah's boyfriend, Atif!  He looked at me and waved and next thing I knew he was galloping towards me and asked if he could sit with me and have a "talk". Now don't get me wrong, I haven't done anything wrong to this guy, or his girlfriend, but when someone says, that you need to "talk" it gives you the heebie jeebies! I started to get really nervous, and my heart was pounding, and he started asking about when I hoped to go on a mission and how long ago I put in my papers. Oh boy, then I started to worry that he had some terrible news about my papers or something and I really started freaking out! I think he could tell, because he started chuckling and told me not to worry, he just wanted to sit and talk about my future mission! phew! I can TOTALLY do that!

So then he sat and talked about his mission and some of the important things he learned while out. I am going to try and summarize to the best of my ability what he said. Firstly, Atif is from Pakistan and served in India on his mission. He got back about 2 years ago and will soon be marrying Hannah. But he started to tell me how important it was to give 100% everyday on my mission. "Never let a day go by without giving 100%. There is no tomorrow" he said. His mom told him while he served to live everyday like his last, and that once he was off his mission to continue to live as such.

 Like my title here, once a missionary, always a missionary. What great wisdom! It was such an awesome reminder that ESPECIALLY while I am here and preparing to serve a full time mission, that I can act in accordance with being a missionary example. Growing up in YW's and such, we are always taught to remember that every member is a missionary. How true! Just last night, I was at work at one of the snack shacks, and a couple came up to order food. They noticed that my coworker, Pria, had a small picture of Christ on the backside of her I.D. They were thrilled and began asking about it, and continued to tell us that they had served multiple missions for their church. At this point, I was pretty sure they were not LDS. What an opportunity! I proceeded to tell them that I was currently awaiting the opportunity to serve a mission for MY church. Intrigued, they began to ask questions about what sort of mission I was serving, where I would be and what church organization it was through. They were thrilled that someone as young as I am was choosing to leave the worldly things behind and preach the gospel. Funny, that obviously I was sharing a slightly different message than I think they thought, but that's no matter. It was still so fun to be able to tell someone new my plans for the next 2 years! 

2nd thought of the day: Atif also began talking of the blessings that my family would receive because I had chosen to serve. He mentioned  D&C 31, and how Thomas Marsh was preparing to serve, and began to worry about the well being of his family while he was gone. In this section Joseph Smith received revelation, telling Marsh how his family would be protected and blessed while he was serving. I am so excited that my family is also going to be blessed while I serve a mission! 

I still can't believe that I have reached this awesome point in my life and I cannot wait to receive my call! Half a week done!! And Dad comes in less than a week, AH! Such exciting times! I am so grateful to be alive in this great day and age! 

Aloha and Mahalo!

Emma