Well, it's been a while. I wasn't able to set aside some time during my last 2 p-days so I wasn't able to provide that last e-mail before I flew home.
It's pretty crazy to be writing this...sitting at a computer in my room, listening to music that has drums and lyrics and a beat to it...
Ahem.
My last week was pretty hectic. I wrote a pretty long description of it but considering I didn't take many pictures I doubt you'll want to read the huge wall of text. It was really crazy to pack my bags nearly a fully week before I actually headed home; living out of a suitcase made the remainder of my mission very surreal. In some ways I was disappointed with my last week---investigators still canceled on us, people still refused on the street...somehow I had gotten the idea that since it was my last week things would be different. I got no such miracle.
The members were very sad to see me go. Many of them took special time just to see me and say goodbye, or ask about my future and ask that I would please contact them. It was very sweet of them!
After shipping my luggage to the airport it got REALLY surreal...
My last Sunday was good. I was able to bear my testimony one last time. That was really special for me. That Sunday was really somethin' else. We visited one of the girls we are working with--she had a surgery in the hospital and I wanted to say goodbye so we visited her there--and then the members kidnapped us and dragged us all sorts of places for my farewell party. I wasn't expecting such things and I was really touched.
The flight home was tiring and long. It generally is when my luggage is really heavy--which it WAS--so it was an interesting time. When we touched down in LA and got our luggage we realized that 2 of use (me included) had missed our connecting flight. We were able to re-book for a flight leaving in 40 minutes and hurried over to our departure gate. People were...friendly. I dunno if you have ever spent a significant time in an Asian country (PARTICULARLY Japan) and then returned to either LA or Boston, but it can be pretty heavy culture shock. In Japan the customer is RIGHT and everyone knows it so the customer doesn't have to DO anything about it; everyone simply tried to sense your needs and assist you. My first time coming home from living in Japan for 3 months gave me a pretty big shock. This time I was more prepared, so while the other missionaries were shocked at the amazingly rude airport staff, I was able to realize that they were, in fact, being very helpful--just not overly polite. It was fun. I'm still not over this: many times I'll be surprised by some loud comment or mean sarcasm. I think part of it is because I served a mission and part of it is just getting used to American humor.
I'm glad we caught the second flight. I sat next to a girl who was leaving her family to live in Utah for the first time. She was really worried and we were able to talk. I hope I was able to calm her down some--she had told me I had done as much--and I'm really glad I was able to catch this flight so that I was able to talk with her. It made me feel better about a lot of things in a lot of ways.
Getting home to the SLC airport was FANTASTIC. A moment I had dreamed about. It was so great to be able to see all of my family. I had missed them all so very much and I was just so happy to be around them. It was amazing. Once I had hugged them, once I was standing there...it was like someone flipped a switch. I was home now, and I was able to do home things with my family. Most excellent!
I got home and was able to step into the house for a few seconds before stepping out again and meeting with my Stake President. So I was released from missionary service within hours of getting home. It helped make the switchover more complete.
Now I'm home. I'm working, I'm happy, and I'm with my family. Life is really good.
You know, I don't think I served the most stellar mission, and I certainly wasn't perfect. Even as I type this I feel comforted and realize that most missionaries probably feel the same way, but the Lord works with imperfect people to complete His designs. I have no idea what impact my mission may have had. I don't know who will remember me in a few years and who won't. I don't really think about it. It may be selfish, but this mission has done a lot for ME. I now have a rock-solid testimony, backed by numerous experiences where I saw a miracle---and I cannot deny it. There were experiences where I felt the Spirit, times when I saw, heard, or knew things that I cannot explain without the acceptance of divine intervention. I'm really grateful for that, I know it will help me a lot in future.
I understand more about this church and its mission. I understand more about Heavenly Father and His mission, too. I'm really excited knowing that I don't know much--but I can keep learning!
Right now I'm back home. I'm not a missionary anymore. I won't pretend that I'm still a missionary or serving a mission, but I cannot deny that I've changed.
And that's not a bad thing.
