Today was the day that I delivered my farewell talk! I cant believe it! I leave here so soon but feel like I have so much left to do! I love you all and please know you will be greatly missed.
I remember a few short months ago when I first opened my
mission call thinking “Really? I have to wait 73 whole days to go on my
mission!?” Now, with only a little over a week left I can’t seem to wrap my
head around the idea of how fast time has gone by. Packing, shopping, and more
packing went by and now I’m up here delivering my farewell talk. The decision
to serve a mission for me was not an easy one, it wasn't something I woke up to
one morning, and it wasn't something that I've dreamt of since I was a little girl. I remember hearing the mission age change thinking “Oh my gosh that’s so
great- for the other girls. That is so cool- for the other girls who plan on serving missions.” But as time
went by random thoughts kept entering my mind, “I’m gonna serve a mission.”
Then I’d brush it to the side not thinking anything of it. Again “I’m gonna
serve a mission.” I wouldn't even pray about it, because I was scared I already
knew the answer. It wasn't in my
plans.
The thoughts happened more and more
and more so I finally gave in and prayed about it, I prayed harder than I ever
thought I could. And you know what I learned? God’s plans aren't always the
same as my plans. And since then I've learned that same principle again and
again. The idea of a mission grew on me. I became more and more sure that it
was the right thing to do and I became more and more excited about it. I knew
that somewhere in this big scary world, someone needed me. Little blonde Megan,
from Lakeville. Someone in this world was praying to God for what? help,
comfort, and guidance? Cure to addiction? An end to loneliness? I don’t know. All
I know is that by giving myself to the Lord for a small time, I could just be
the answer to what someone is praying for.
Throughout
his years as our prophet, President Monson has encouraged us as members to
“Reach out to Rescue” Not only as missionaries but as church members,
neighbors, friends, associates, families, and in all other aspects of our lives.
He goes on explaining ways to do this such as service to others, inviting
people to church, standing as an example, sharing your beliefs and many more.
We can rescue friends of different faiths, members who have fallen away, and we
can even help the friends and loved ones who have passed on through temple
work. It’s a scary thing putting yourself out there. Risking embarrassment,
rejection, ridicule, the list goes on and on. But just think how grateful that
person will be when they come back to church after years being inactive and
realizing how much they've missed it, or how about when your friend comes to
church for the first time and feels a happiness and peace she’s never felt
before, or even when your ancestors finally receive the blessings of the temple
after years and years of waiting in anticipation. “And if it so be that you
should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring,
save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the
kingdom of my Father! And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you
have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy
if you should bring many souls unto me!” (D&C 18:15-16)
As my
mission has drawn closer I've received a few emails from my mission president
in Guayaquil Ecuador. One email he sent talked about “Our Mission” and the
people of Guayaquil. He states “too many
of them have fallen away over the years, and so besides the great work of
finding, teaching, and baptizing our Father’s children, we have the great
opportunity to work alongside Him in finding and rescuing His lost sheep.” After
reading that I realized something, I realized that the people in Guayaquil,
thousands of miles away, in a different country, speaking a different language,
have something in common with us. We all need help. We all need someone to
reach out and rescue us. The people of Ecuador need someone to stop by and see
how they are doing, invite them to come back to church, just like the people of
Lakeville.
The idea of
“Reaching out to rescue” will be present for me in many ways for the next 18
months. The first thing that comes to mind will be as I learn the Spanish
language. My Companion will be rescuing me a lot, I am sure. Another one that
comes to mind will be as I enter the MTC in Mexico, the support and prayers
from my family and loved ones will rescue me as well as strengthen me. Lastly,
as I lay in bed at night tired and discouraged thinking, what in the world am I
doing here? Am I good enough to be here? My Savior, the only one who will know exactly how I am feeling, will reach out
his loving marked hands and rescue me,
little blonde Megan from Lakeville.
When we
reach out to others, we can in part become a little more like our Savior.
Offering a relief that only His gospel can give. By putting our imperfect
selves out there, offering a perfect gospel, Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ
will make up the rest. Even if the person we help is just a little “so-and so”
from Lakeville, or Guayaquil, or anywhere else in the World they deserve a
chance to be rescued. It’s just our job to offer it. “Remember the worth of
souls is great in the sight of God” (D&C 18:10)
My life has
changed so much in the past couple years. I felt like someone has just hit the
fast forward button and forgotten to press play again. I graduated, went to BYU
in Provo, went to BYU in Idaho, my sister got married, I received a mission
call, I have friends serving missions, getting engaged, perusing degrees and
facing all kinds of “Grown-up” decisions and trials. I know that some of you
younger kids are sitting in the pews eating cheerios and coloring and can’t
quite yet think of such things. But they come, and sometimes it’s hard. I know
some of you older folks in the chapel are thinking “Wow, I remember when I was
that young. And I remember thinking that stuff was hard. It came and went, and
it was hard but you face even harder things.” We all go through tough things in
our lives, whether it be as a young kid feeling like you don’t have friends, a
teenager who hangs with the wrong crowd, a young adult trying to face the
world, or a grown up trying to raise and provide for a family. We all could use
a little rescuing. We all need to be like our Savior and listen to our
prophet’s call to reach out and rescue. And times will come where we are
looking for someone to reach out and praying to God for an answer… and
wondering to ourselves. “What in the World am I doing here, Lord, help me be
good enough.” and we will feel like there is no answer. But be patient, the
Lord hears your prayers. He sent a savior to this earth before we were even
born to answer our prayers, to comfort us, to cleanse us, to guide us, and to
rescue us.
President
Monson continues his address saying “In this remarkable dispensation of the fullness
of times, our opportunities to serve one another are limitless. We’re
surrounded by those in need of our attention, our encouragement, our comfort,
our support, our kindness—[…] As we serve our fellowman, we serve the Lord.
“Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these …, ye have done it
unto me” (Matthew 25:40). May we ever be found performing such service.” He
goes on explaining not only are we helping others by doing this but helping
ourselves and receiving blessings from the Lord.
I know that
President Monson is a Prophet of God, given to us for instruction and guidance
in these latter-days. I know that his message to reach out to rescue is God
sent. And by doing so we are becoming more like our Savior. A couple months ago
I came across something in the ensign. To which sadly I couldn't find the direct quote for, but it said something along the lines of in a world where
such sorrow and hurt are present its easy to become discourage and afraid. But
we already know who wins the fight. We already know there’s a light at the end
of the tunnel, we know that God’s goodness beats evil in the end, it’s all just
a matter of choosing which side we are on on. President Monson finishes his
statement by saying “As we now go forward, may we follow His example. He left
His footprints in the sands of the seashore, but He left His teaching
principles in the hearts and in the lives of all whom He taught. He instructed
His disciples, and to us He speaks the same words, “Follow thou me” (John
21:22). May we ever be found doing so.”
I am so
grateful for the opportunity to serve. I know that this truly is Christ’s
church. I know that Christ lives and his gospel still lives on this earth
because of the effort and faith of Joseph Smith. I know that he was a prophet
of God sent to deliver us the Book of Mormon. I know that all the lessons in
church, early mornings in seminary, institute classes, and prayers from family
and leaders have all pointed me here. They brought me here so that I could
worthily go through the temple and that I can stand here today and thank you
for supporting me as a missionary. I felt like the Grinch from Dr. Seuss’s “The
Grinch who stole Christmas” because when I opened my mission call my heart grew
three sizes that day. I love people I have never met, and who I’m going to
struggle to communicate with for quite some time. I know with the Lord’s help
all things are made possible and I know I am in good hands. I love you all so
much. You will be greatly missed. I am grateful for my family and friends. They
have given me so much and still give every day. I’m going to miss them dearly.
But know that the Lord needs me, and I am just answering his call. I say these
things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
