this is a really big deal

In every human experience are scattered moments of pure contentment. Moments where an old score is settled, a lost puzzle piece locks into place, and a sense of healing overcomes hidden wounds that you never really believed existed. This past week has been one of those moments for me. Eight years ago my family intended to celebrate a season of gratitude in Austin, Texas. But our plans change and our trip was cancelled for a trip up North. It wasn’t until I was sitting in a chapel in San Antonio surrounded by dark jackets and name tags hearing the President of my mission announce that the first place I would be serving is Austin, Texas that I realized how much I’ve wanted to reach the destination that my family had sought years before. And as I looked out the dark windows of a travel bus and saw the big green sign announcing my entrance Austin I felt a quiver of satisfaction…I made it. And I’m here to share the most precious gift I have to offer: the message of Jesus Christ. I’m here to celebrate an all-encompassing season of gratitude. Ironic…but appropriate.

So here I am. I was so excited as soon as I stepped off the plane because I knew that now I was in warm country. Goodbye freezing cold Provo, Hello…..freezing cold San Antonio. What? Yeah, it was way colder here than in Provo due to humidity and the wind chill factor. But you know what? I didn’t care. I was so happy to be here, so fired up that it could have been the Antarctic and I wouldn’t have minded. I passed out a Book of Mormon at the Alamo and then visited a newly baptized family. Cool.

The next day was a huge party with the whole mission. We took a picture in front of the San Antonio Temple. Then we had a fireside at the church, and then there were back-slapping man hugs as the assistant to the president announced where everyone was going to be serving the next six weeks. Oohhhs, and ahhs, and occasional gasps as missionaries were assigned to new companions. Then we ate food, then we had a concert, and then we watched a movie (Miracle). This is great! Is everyday on a mission like this? I would have signed up a long time ago had I known.

Well, my delusional first day ended and we took a two hour bus ride to Austin. The next two days were Christmas Eve and Christmas. Super fun cause I got to talk to family, and eat food at members house all day. Eventually reality set in and can I just say…my life is soooooooo cool! Do you know what I do all day long?---All day long. I study the gospel, I teach the gospel, and then I watch people come closer to our Savior through the gospel…all day long. And then I sleep and eat somewhere in there…my life is so cool. I don’t really feel like I’m doing anything to help, I just say stuff to people and get to witness their expressions of joy as the Spirit enlightens and touches their soul.

I was so excited to knock on my first door. It was my turn to talk. I knocked, the guy opened the door. I smiled excitedly and said, “Hi!” and then he shut the door. But I was so excited to be there I didn’t care.

My first lesson was better: I taught the plan of salvation (with my super cool companion, sis. Davenport). Her face lit up and her eyes filled with tears when we told her that the authority to seal a husband and wife together for eternity was on the earth. “Wow…this is a really big deal.” It is a really big deal and I get to be a part in sharing it. Antonio said, “I know that everything you have taught is true. I have a gift to know truth when I hear it and I know this is true. I just have a question.” Then he proceeds to ask what our church is doing to let other churches know that the authority has been reestablished on earth. We pointed to ourselves and then told him about the leaders of our church and the relationship they have with other churches.

I want my family to know that I absolutely believe the things that I am teaching. I would never go out and try and convince people to leave their good Christian religions or non-Christian religions for that matter unless I truly believed the things I teach are true. I am so grateful for Christ and His atonement and I feel blessed to share this message during this time of year. Hello Texas…I’m back!