Elder Christian Fyffe

01/13/2014

                Yesterday when I was writing in my journal, there was a thought that popped into my head, "it’s easier to be a part of someone’s life, when you change it." I don’t know where that thought came from, but we could say that it’s the theme of this email.

            I noticed something about my life before, who I was and what I did. Honestly I can say that I didn’t live the gospel. Sadly it’s true, I had awareness that it was there, but I wasn’t one to put it as my priority. I went through school making friends, spending years seeing people and becoming their friends. Then either when I moved away, or we grew up and didn’t have that contact anymore, I slowly started to forget some of their names... pretty shameful if you ask me. I have a hard time remembering some of these people’s names! I believe that they are having the same difficulties too though; out of 10 I’d say maybe 4 remember my name. After realizing this sad truth, I read a note that a recent convert gave me in Church yesterday. She said "Dear Elder Fyffe, I just wanted to let you know how grateful I am for all of the things you taught me and my family, and all of the good times we spent together. You will always be graven into our hearts, and I have a strong testimony that our Heavenly Father loves us, and that we will all see each other again after this life, thanks to you! We love you!"

            It was really awesome to get that little note, it definitely made my day. After reading that, I realized something: these people will always remember my name. Every time I talk to a member who was converted, I ask them who their missionaries were, and without hesitation, they tell me their names. No matter how old the person, they never have trouble telling me the name of the person who introduced them to this eternal gospel. What a huge blessing I have, to be remembered!  Also to receive an "eternal" friend! I realized that the friendships that I am creating now, are so much more wholesome and stable than the relationships that I based off of "likes and dislikes" before my mission. These are the friends that I’ve always wanted! I can name a handful of people who have stayed a true friend throughout the years, and now, thanks to my mission, the cup runneth over! I told myself that I want to find these kinds of friends after my mission, so I called myself on a 3rd mission after this mission, (the second mission being marriage haha.) That is to continue finding people to share this gospel with!

            I had the amazing opportunity to baptize my cousin Trace before my mission, and that is something that we shall hold in common for the rest of our lives! I can’t wait for the day when I can say that I baptized that friend of mine, and I didn’t even need to wear my missionary nametag. Missionary work is our divine calling, because it’s a work of joy, of blessings, and of service. If we lack in any of these three categories, voila, the answer... Missionary work! It gives us a reason to read the scriptures with purpose, to say our prayers with purpose, and to go to the Temple to receive the revelation we need to advance the work of the Lord in our lives.

            We don’t need a calling in the Church in order to fulfill our pre earthly calling of helping others find the Light of Christ! I know and Promise that The Lord will bless you! I’m so proud to be serving Him, and to see the blessings and changes that I can bring into the lives of others! There truly is joy to be found in this life, it truly is why Adam fell. I never doubt the work, and I try to not doubt myself, because we are all the children of the most high God. I love you all and can’t wait to hear from you next week. Stay safe this week! Here are some other pictures of my amazing investigators!

Elder Fyffe