Week 9 - October 23, 2019

Good-byes!

It was so hard to say goodbye to everybody :/  On Sunday, we had a group of missionaries leave at 8:30 at night.  There was definitely lots of tears seeing as it was the first group of missionaries we were close with leave, and it was all becoming so much more real for us.  The next day I got NO SLEEP.  We went to bed around 12 and woke up at 2 am to send the Japanese missionaries we were close with off!!  

Elder Wilde with his Japanese friend, Elder Nakagawa

We came back to the room, then sent some more missionaries off at 3:30, then 5:15, and then 8:15!!  My companion and I were totally DEAD asleep the whole class that morning haha.  

Elder Wilde and Elder Moa, who is actually from 

Elder Wilde's homeward.  He is on his way to the Tongan Mission.

The next day we said goodbye to some more Elders at 8:15 am and 12 o'clock!!  32 Russian elders had departed for their missions, leaving the last 8 of us going to Dnipro, Ukraine, today, Wednesday, at 4:15 am!!  It has felt like an absolute ghost town here at the MTC with all of the other missionaries we were close with gone.  So many friendships were formed, ones I won't forget about, and some that I hope to continue when I get back.  I've learned so much from everybody here.  Not to mention, my two amazing teachers--Sister Slight and Brother Wilson.  So many tears were shed saying goodbye to them.  They strengthened our testimonies 10 fold.  I could not be more grateful for them and every other missionary I had the chance to meet. 

D&C 4 reads...

1 Now behold, a marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men.

2 Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day.

3 Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God ye are called to the work;

4 For behold the field is white already to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul;

5 And faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work.

6 Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, diligence.

7 Ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. Amen.

I know that every missionary that walked out those doors is going to do amazing things. They are going to change the world.  One soul at a time. 

I believe that the most important thing a missionary can do is act like Christ would.  Be an example of who he is.  The primary way I believe we can do this, is by showing love for all of his children, being kind, having charity, etc.  Overall, being a good person.  My number one priority is to establish a friendship with someone before even teaching them.  I want them to know how much I care about them.  Show that they aren't just a statistic but that I want to know everything they are going through, I want to help them with whatever the need.  I want to be there for them, serve them, love them, know them, laugh with them, grow trust with them, understand them, and so much more.  I want them to have an understanding of what Christ's love is by not telling them what it is, but rather showing them what it is.

Love you all so much!!  Elder Wilde