Why Are We Going?

As the time to depart gets closer and closer and we face leaving our family and home, Pat and I find ourselves musing about the reasons we feel compelled to serve a mission. It’s a desire we have had since we were first married. We’ve planned and hoped for this time. However, now that our hopes are finally becoming reality, we must climb out of our comfort zone and actually prepare to go. It's an exciting, but challenging time.

We’ve carefully explored our motives and here's what we've discovered about why we are going on a mission:

1. Gratitude. We have been blessed with good health (and some medical miracles), adequate means, time, and supportive children. We want to share what we have with others.

2. Love. The world needs love and we want to take the love of Heavenly Father and Christ to others.

3. Covenants. We've made commitments to consecrate our time, talents and means to further the work of God on the earth.

4. The Joy of Service. It is a privilege and honor to serve a mission. We know the joy that comes from serving others.

5. Example. We've been strengthened by the missionary examples and experiences of our parents, grandparents, and ancestors. We hope our children and grandchildren will likewise be strengthened.

6. Blessings. We have seen the blessings that come to the families of those who sacrifice. Even though we know that our family will face some trying times while we're gone, we have trust that they will be blessed in ways we cannot foresee.

7. Faith. We have faith in Christ -- we trust him, his teachings, his watchful care, and his eternal plan for each of us.

President Ezra Taft Benson said: "Men and women who turn their lives over to God will discover that He can make a lot more out of their lives than they can. He will deepen their joys, expand their vision, quicken their minds, strengthen their muscles, lift their spirits, multiply their blessings, increase their opportunities, comfort their souls, raise up friends, and pour out peace. Whoever will lose his life in the service of God will find eternal life." (Ensign, Dec. 1988) We know this to be true. ~Don~