Today I stepped outside at the break. The sun radiated into my chilled, air conditioned body and I thought to myself, “I am so lucky.” Four days in a row, I have sat and listened to Elders and Sisters who are dedicating their entire days to the Lord. Their insights and understanding reflects someone who is serving with their heart, might, and mind.
Sometimes what they say makes me laugh. Like when we were talking about Moroni 7:13 that says the Lord invites and entices us, and Elder Tay _____ said, “You can’t make a horse drink, but you can salt the oats.” Or when spiritually strong and incredibly dedicated Sister Rat____ was teaching about becoming a consecrated missionary. She shared, “When I first came out I wanted to be the greatest missionary possible so I would get up, exercise and run to the shower and then run from the shower to get dressed, run to breakfast, and then run to my studies. Finally my trainer said, ‘My morning would be so much more peaceful if you’d quit running to get ready.’ I realized that wasn’t the way to become a consecrated.”
Many times I scramble to record the wisdom of their statements. Elder Sok___ said, “I just want to be an instrument to witness.” Another Elder said, “I become His by choice.” And another Elder said, “Every day I say, ‘what if this is my last day of my mission?’ and then I act that way.”
Sometimes I wonder if they know how profound their statements are. Elder Garl____ said, “Why do I stay on a mission? Because I want to show that I care about how the Lord feels about me.” In speaking about interacting with others not of our faith, Elder Schr____ said, “I am able to give a ‘more wise’ answer by listening and then building upon it, instead of launching an attack to prove the Book of Mormon is true. From two other missionaries. “We don’t see our place with God when we see our place with man.” and “When we compare we aren’t grateful.”
The last three days I have heard quotes from general authorities, CS Lewis, other missionaries, my husband, myself, the assistants, and even Elder Lym___ quoted Lion King, “Look beyond what you see.”
It seems I don’t have to do much looking to see incredibly talented missionaries who are combining what they've come to know with the companionship the Lord, Jesus Christ in hopes of bringing about the salvation of men.