Reflecting Back

My mission has taught me many things. I learned how to become a better person, and a better disciple of Jesus Christ. I think I have grown physically, mentally, and spiritually. I have overcome obstacles that I would never have if I hadn't served a mission. My mission has meant everything to me. It truly has been a gift from God.

One major lesson I had learned was that our lives really are dictated by the choices we make. Before coming out on my mission I was faced with a choice. The choice I had was to either stay and perform in the last musical that the college I went to would ever put on, and finish my degree, or go on a mission as soon as I turned nineteen. It was something that had really weighed on my mind. I wanted to go on a mission and fulfill my duty to God, but I also did not want to miss out on the opportunity to participate in this musical. I prayed about it, and my answer came while I was sitting at church. We sang a hymn called, "I Need Thee Every Hour." It was then that the Spirit opened my mind, and then I knew that the Lord needed me ASAP! It was not too long after that I put in my mission papers, and I was called to serve in the Montana Billings Mission.

I have been serving in the states of Montana and Wyoming for almost two years now. My experiences have been many and varied, but I know that there are more ahead for me after my mission. I have seen many come unto Christ, and I have been delighted to help them. My own personal relationship with Christ has increased! After much prayer and fasting I have come to know Jesus Christ for myself! I believe in Jesus Christ. I would not trade my mission for anything else in the world.

Of course while I have been serving many things have happened at home as well. My sister, for instance, got her first boyfriend and her first kiss! My little sister! I was not there for that time to pull the "big brother" card or anything like that! My younger brother unleashed this new artistic talent that has blown many people away, and yet I had no idea that was going on! My baby brother got baptized and I missed that! Then my older sister has gone through a lot of grief, and I was not there to support her or help her out. My family has grown up with out me there. I guess that isn't a very comforting thought, but it is true. However, I know that the Lord has blessed them in their struggles because of my decision to serve a mission.

The lives of my family, my life, the lives of those I have taught have all been blessed because of my choice. The mission was not only about me, but about all of God's other children. I probably wont ever know what impact serving a mission has caused, but I do know that this service has been well worth it. I encourage all everywhere, who is  able, to serve a mission. Even if you are not able, I know the Lord still needs you.

I have loved my mission, and I know that in many times in my life I will reflect back on the experiences I have had here. I will become a great asset for the Kingdom, as are every other young man or woman who chooses to serve a mission.

MY SOUL HUNGERED, pt. 2

As a missionary actively serving God everyday I see a lot of struggles that are similar among people. I have to say that the one thing that I see the most common among them is their feeling of abandonment. They feel like God has forgotten them in their struggles. They feel like in their darkest hours that they have been left behind. This is absolutely not true!

No where in the Bible or the Book of Mormon does it say that God will forget His children. Never does it say will He forsake them. It says that, "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you" (John 14:18.) That promise is for all of God's children. He will not forsake us. The number one problem why we have problems is because we tend to forget God. How do we forget Him? We do not communicate with Him as often as we should.

"And now, my beloved brethren, I perceive that ye ponder still in your hearts; and it grieveth me that I must speak concerning this thing. For if ye would hearken unto the Spirit which teacheth a man to pray, ye would know that ye must pray; for the evil spirit teacheth not a man to pray, but teacheth him that he must not pray. But behold, I say unto you that ye must pray always, and not faint; that ye must not perform any thing unto the Lord save in the first place ye shall pray unto the Father in the name of Christ, that he will consecrate thy performance unto thee, that thy performance may be for the welfare of thy soul" (2 Nephi 32:8&9.)

Pray always. Heavenly Father does listen and will answer your prayers. Try it out, test it, and I promise you as a representative of Christ that you will receive an answer. You will no longer feel alone. You will no longer feel like you have been left in the dark. You will learn to know that Jesus is the Christ, and that He has died and suffered so that you may live again and be comforted in your hardest and darkest of times and trial.

CHRISTMAS! Give me mas (more) Christ!

My favorite holiday is Christmas. It is the one time of year that you can see a bonding take place. A bond between all people, nations, and faiths. It is a time where love is felt and goodness is exchanged one from another. I like reading about the birth of Christ. It is a tender time in world history. Time itself revolves around this most significant event. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Savior and Redeemer of mankind, was born to take away our sins and sadness. "But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and with His stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5) It is my prayer this Holiday season to remember Christ in all that we do, and how we interact with all of God's children.

SUPER ELDERS Episode 0-The Preface and Episode 1- The Ball

This is a picture of the original of the first Super Elders comic strip that I drew. I drew this during one of my first weeks in Cody, WY. In it I tried to do a similar introduction that is associated with Superman. "What's in the sky? It's a bird, no it's a plane! No, it's Superman!" Likewise I did the same for Super Elder! Originally it was going to just be a story about me and my adventures as the Super Elder, but I soon realized that this strip needed to move past the solo super hero to a super missionary duo!

Thus the dynamic duo known as the Ball and the Vroomster came to life. I gained inspiration for the two characters while in our apartment. My companion at the time was solving a Rubik's cube while sitting on a chair. He was wearing a ski mask that was bright red and black.

I said, "There you have it! That is what you will look like!" He told me to draw him round like a "ball" and make him short. So I did. My character, The Vroomster, had not fully been developed as I started drawing him back then. He still continues to change more and more as the mission continues. Through the Super Elders comic strip I was now able to have more material to draw from as I expressed my mission in my drawings.

These comic strips reflect the highs and lows of missionary work. As I continue to post more comic strips on my blog I will also explain some of the stories behind them. I bear you my testimony that this work is true and that God loves each one of His children.