Week 100: A House of Order

First, I just want to give you a pat on the back. Seriously. You've made it this far. This is the official 100th email of my mission. You have read (hopefully) up to 99 emails I have taken time to send, whether they were my photos, voice recordings, or ramblings, long and short. Congratulations. You will only have a few more now. Honestly, 100 is such a good looking number that I think I will stop here. Thanks for reading!

Only kidding. You know that. When I come to these "bookend" moments, I can't help but reflect on the times now past. This week was full of bookend moments. 

I had my last Zone Conference as a full time missionary. 

That's right. The last one.

For those of you who somehow managed to skip the other 16 weekly emails I have written over the course of the mission recapping zone conferences for you, first let me congratulate you. No amount of random avoidance could have accomplished such, and I applaud your efforts. Second, Zone Conference is when larger groups fo missionaries gather and receive training on how to study, teach, and serve more faithfully, effectively, and wholeheartedly. Tradition dictates that those missionaries attending Zone conference for the last time are given the opportunity to bear their testimony of Jesus Christ and the doctrine and truth they have come to learn in their volunteer service. Normally, the amount of missionaries leaving the mission in a transfer averages around 12-15. This transfer, 33 missionaries are leaving. Our mission president has been dreading this day for a while. My zone conference happened to be on the day where the most departing testimonies were given. We had 16 missionaries bear testimony of what they know to be true. 16. They were all wonderful. I have come to know and love so many of these missionaries over the course of the last two years. To see how they have grown, how they have mature in all facets of life, to see the eternal truths rooted deeply in their souls was precious. I love them all with a different love. 

Why different? This love is not a love that you have for your family, or your partner, or even your friends. It's not the love you have for the people you teach, the members you work with, the people you serve. This love is forged through an unspoken and unseen bond. There is something powerful knowing that for two years, you all woke up at 6:29 am every day. For two years, you all made personal sacrifices for the improvement of everyone around you. For two years, you all were rejected, esteemed as not, stricken, and cast by the way side. For two years, the fire of testimony fell from your lips collectively. For two years, you served as brothers in arms in a conflict unlike any the world has ever seen. This bond is one of empathy, almost pure empathy. I am firmly convinced that the order of who understands missionaries most goes as follows: God, Jesus Christ (to be fair, the first two are probably tied), and then other missionaries. As much as people say they can relate and know it must be difficult, no one quite understands you like your fellow labourers in the vineyard. To see these fine souls bear testimony of the very God I have come to more fully know, appreciate, love, and rely on filled my soul to overflowing. 

At the request of President Checketts, we ended the meeting with the hymn, "God Be With You Til We Meet Again". The tears held me back for the first verse, but with a powerful spiritual burning in my heart, I felt the last verses flow as testimony that yes, I will see these people again. 

We were also privileged to see the whole mission come together for a special fireside Sunday evening with Brad Wilcox, who spoke about the gathering of Israel. I was privileged to see all of my currently serving companions and see them one last time before we part ways for a much longer time than I'd care to admit. God speed brethren. 

So there you have it. Much more happened this week, but if this email gets too detailed, I won't have anything to tell you in three weeks when I close this chapter and start another one. So hold on tight. 

I love you all. I love my Saviour. I testify that Jesus Christ is my Saviour and your Saviour. I testify The Book of Mormon is the word of God, and through it, the eternal truth that families can be eternal is revealed. I testify that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true and living church of Jesus Christ on the earth today and that Russell M. Nelson is the appointed prophet, seer, and revelator for our day. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet and that through him, Jesus Christ restored His priesthood authority and the ordinances needed for salvation. I testify that all of these things have been made known to me through the Holy Spirit of God. 

With that, I'll remind you of what J. Reuben Clark Jr was known to say. When anyone was called into a position of authority in the church, he would tell them "don't forget rule number six". They would invariably ask, "what''s rule number six?" He would then say "don't take yourself too darn seriously". Then, after being asked what rules 1-5 were, he'd say "there aren't any". 

Pictures to come soon. 

Much Love,

E.M.