I have definitely had the hardest days of my entire life in the mission. I hope that doesn´t discourage anyone planning on serving a mission, but it´s the truth. I have never struggled so much in my entire life. There were days when I felt completely alone and just completely lost, as I was learning the language and learning to be a missionary. There were days when I honestly thought I was going to die because I was so sick. There were days where I felt like a complete failure sitting at church waiting for investigators who never came or even worse waiting by the side of full baptisimal fonts. There were days when just eating lunch made me want to give up. There were days when we had absolutely no one to teach and spent the entire day walking around our area just trying to find someone to listen to us. There were days when I wanted to strangle my companion. There were days when I would get home at 930 and spend the night bandaging my blistered covered feet.
The mission has been hard. I know for some missionaries it´s hasn´t been nearly as hard as it was for me and for others it´s been even harder. But as hard as it was for me I would not give it up for anything. The hardships were nothing compared to the blessings I received here.
I experienced things here that have changed my life forever. I have learned and grown sooooo much while being here. I have experienced things that simply don´t and can´t happen without the Lord´s hand in it. I can say now that I know without a doubt that this work is real that God really does exist that Christ really did come here and pay for our sins and overcome the world. I know our prayers are heard and answered. I know God has a plan for us and for me. I know there is more out there than what we can see and what we can comprehend. I have never had happier days in my entire life than the days I´ve had here in the mission. I´ve been able to help people literally change their lives. I´ve seen people that were lost and desperate for hope find it in the gospel. I´ve seen their lives go from the worst it has EVER been to the BEST it´s ever been. I am stronger and happier than I was two years ago. I understand why I am here. I understand what I need to do.
I wish I could explain all the blessings I have received from being the Lord´s servant for these last two years, but I honestly can´t. All I can say is that this experience was more than worth every hardship I have had.
The mission has been the best two years of my life. Without a doubt.
Love Elder Russon
See you all Saturday!
