Life of a missionary- It's finally time (Part 1)

All of my life I have seen and heard about these people who get a mission call to serve in all sorts of far off places. Some would go anywhere from a state away or clear to the other side of the world! I would be there when they gave a final talk in church before they ventured off to wherever they had been called to serve. Two years later they would show up again and tell some of the experiences they had. Other than these moments and some movies I had seen I didn't really know what life was like for these people who left to serve missions.

The time eventually comes for every young man and woman that is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to decide if a mission is the direction they want to take in life. That time came for me and I decided that I was going to go. I had no expectations or ideas of what was going to happen on this adventure that I was going to embark on. If you've never served a mission it's likely that you don't know what it is like either. If you have served then you can relate in some ways and some things will be completely different as each mission has their own things they do.

I thought I'd let you have a glimpse at what life has been like for me the past two years...

FINALLY!

The first step you take is to send in a packet of information about yourself into mission headquarters. A few weeks later you get an envelope back that gives you a glimpse of what life is going to be like for the next two years. Let the first test begin...waiting...waiting...waiting...checking every day to see if there is an envelope waiting for you in the mail. (It's been at least an hour since they sent my papers in and my call isn't here yet?!)Those few weeks seem longer than the rest of your life combined! The moment you send those papers off it seems someone hits the slow motion button on the universe.

The day finally comes when you open up the mailbox and see that envelope sitting there. It is like every Christmas morning you've ever had combined into one moment. You don't know if you should rip it open right away or take your time and invite everybody over. I decided to invite people over to build the anticipation that much more!

As people file their way into your living room and slowly surround you... you feel the drum of your heart pounding away as the song Called To Serve plays on loudspeakers in your mind. You slowly tear the envelope open as if you're practicing to be a heart surgeon. You inch the papers out and begin.  You read your name that now carries a new title... Elder Ethan Oberhansly... You are hereby called to serve in the... WASHINGTON D.C. SOUTH MISSION!?!? (You pause as the excitement floods the room with echoes of gasps, oooohs, aaahhhs, smiles, and jaw drops) It is estimated that you will serve for the period of two years. You will be serving in the English language. Your pounding heart suddenly switches to a dead stop as a wave of emotion crash lands into you!

Set apart from the world.

Every movie you have ever seen where there is a ticking time bomb becomes your reality! The day that you are to report to the missionary training center (MTC) slowly ticks closer and closer. You have a list of supplies you need and a whole world of things you want to get done before that timer ends. That day finally comes when it's time to take upon you a new responsibility. You are set apart by a stake president to be a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. That setting apart means you are set apart from the world. You give up two years of seeing your family, listening to the radio, watching movies, hanging out with friends, reading books, and any other worldly enjoyments that you have come to love. Mathew 10:39 says "He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. When we lose ourselves to bless other's live we often find the strength we need to get through our own challenges. 

What are we willing to give up for our Savior?

I leave my family for two years so that other families can be together for eternity.

HOW HAVE YOUR PRAYERS BEEN ANSWERED? WHAT SACRIFICES HAVE YOU MADE TO BLESS SOMEONE'S LIFE? WHAT GOOD HAVE YOU DONE IN THE WORLD TODAY?

If the things around us could talk what would they say? Perspective of missionary life from an Elder's shoes:

Just the other day it seems I sat hoping to go to a strange new land. 

I'd done everything I could I prepared and I planned. 

I hope to be worn by an Elder with pride. 

I want to be part of it all not just sit to the side. 

Maybe through rain, jungles,desert or snow. 

Who knows where I'll be or where I might go. 

Could it be warm or cold maybe spring or fall? 

Will I live up to the task or fall short of it all?

To the MTC to learn and to train.

The bags are packed and I'm off to the plane.

My arrival is near so there's no time for fear.

I wasn't sure what to expect but now know what to do.

My hopes and dreams finally have come through.

From baby steps to walking to running I go. 

My purpose is firm this much I know. 

I cannot slow down this is my time.  

The entire way it seems an uphill climb.

Two years later worn, torn, ripped, bent, and broken I sit. 

I can finally say I never did quit. 

I know I've done the job I've been sent to do. 

I've accomplished everything I needed to. 

Who knew so much would happen in the life of these two worn out shoes.

What would the world around you be saying?

How A Flat Tire Changed My Life:

I have had many people in my life change who I am. One of these experiences happened early on in my mission. This was the summer that you had to change your shirt three times a day if you didn't want to be soaking wet with sweat all day long. I was with my missionary companion and we had just got out of an appointment and we were driving to another when I noticed that we had a flat tire! I pulled over in front of a house in a neighborhood to change it. A woman came outside and saw what had happened. She went and got us glasses of the MOST refreshing ice water that I had ever had. This is a woman that I had never met before but she was instantly doing what she could to help us the very best she could. She said she had a neighbor who was a mechanic. Before we knew what was happening she went and told him what had happened. We could have easily changed the tire. It wasn't an overwhelming task by any means but this woman saw someone in need and immediately acted. Two other guys came out of their house and within moments they had taken the tire off and we were walking up to their garage so that the woman's mechanic friend could fix our tire for us. As they were plugging the tire they gave us bottles of ice cold fruit punch gatorade to drink. Soon we were on our way with a fixed tire, gatorade, and a change of heart. There is something about reaching out to others that is contagious. When it happens to you it makes you want to help someone else so much more. That was a defining moment in my life that changed who I am. We can be the reason someone else smiles today. Change is a good thing. It allows us to become something that we haven't been. If we don't fight it and let it in then that is when the miracles happen in our own lives and we help others to have their own life changing experiences.

I think of the life of Jesus Christ when I think of change. When Jesus Christ was on the earth people would come from miles to simply touch the hem of his clothing or even just get a glimpse of him. Jesus Christ changed people. Some he changed who they were on the inside by changing their heart. Some of them he changed on the outside by performing miracles such as making the blind see, healing the leppers, making the lame walk and many more. This change has found me. It's turned me into someone that I never knew I could be. It's made me into something that I couldn't be on my own. He has asked us all to show that love he had to those around us. "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another." (John 13:34)

You're driving down the street and you see someone with a flat tire.

You're walking in the parking lot and pass a mother with three kids screaming and trying to load groceries in her car. You're passing someone who is holding tissues with tears running down their face. These moments are moments of decisions. You don't have an expectation to do anything but it might change this person's world if you did. You can pass by and think oh the next person will help. Or you can start the chain reaction of reaching out to that one person and watch the world change around you.

When has someone changed your life?

The Sure Way to Conquer Any Fear

When I was younger I would take family vacations every year. This particular vacation we had gone to South Dakota. We had seen Mt. Rushmore, went to Reptile Gardens (where we saw the largest snakes I have ever seen in my life!), climbed and hiked through the hills, and bought a snake of my own. No, I wish it was one of the giant anacondas that we had seen but for some reason my mom didn't want to ride home with one in the car back to Utah... so I bought a rubber one. I thought that this has been a great vacation! I had seen some amazing things. After our time in South Dakota we decided to return home. Little did we know that our peaceful ride back to our own mountains, blue skies, and home sweet home would be interrupted by the craziest experience of the vacation.

We decided that on the way home we would go through Yellowstone National Park. We had been driving for quite a while so we decided to stop, stretch out a bit and get some fresh air. There was a big open field that was full of prairie dogs running around and popping in and out of holes in the ground. Surrounding the field were rolling hills that led up higher to the mountains. There were trees about a mile away that continued up the hillside. This seemed like a good spot to enjoy some open space outside of the mini van. My brother was playing checkers, my parents were talking, and I was experiencing the long needed stretch after a several hour car drive.

As I was watching the prairie dogs run around and jump in and out of their homes in the open field floor I noticed that more and more didn't come back out. Eventually they stopped all together. I didn't think a whole lot of it. Maybe it's lunch time or maybe they're all heading to a big party for Prairie Dog Independence Day. Who knows, I don't know what prairie dogs do. What I do know is that shortly after they had all disappeared there began to be something new besides the trees that continued up the hillside.

Across the field cascading down from the hillside was a mass of what looked like a brown avalanche. The first thought that came to my mind was that it was mud or dirt. As it continued down into the field I recognized that it was something much more alive! Running down the hillside out of the trees was countless number of buffalo! I don't know if you've ever seen Lion King where there is a stampede that surrounds the young lion Simba but that is just about what life was like for me at that moment. My brother dropped the checkers set and was attempting to pick them up. My mom is screaming for him to get into the car! I was in the back panicking not knowing what is going on. My dad is making sure my brother is OK.

Soon our open field turned into us completely surrounded by buffalo on all sides! They were all different sizes from baby ones running around to full grown ones that were bashing back and forth into each other. I had never seen any thing like this in my life! I loved to watch the discovery channel as a kid but it is a completely different world from watching on t.v. to being engulfed by a group of furry brown giants that were as big as your car! My parents thought it was the greatest thing they had ever seen, my brother is staring in awe, and I am screaming in the back telling my parents to get me out of here!

We slowly started to move through the buffalo as they bashed back and forth into each other. Minutes that seemed like hours we inched our way through the mountains of brown fur, snorts, grunts, and all sorts of other sounds that I didn't know an animal could even make. We eventually made it out of the park and talked to the park ranger. He didn't believe a word that we said. He told us that the buffalo are far up in the hills at this time of year. Before we started our journey through the the wall of buffalo before us my parents took a video of everything that was going on. Thank goodness for video cameras... I am forever captured screaming in the back of a mini van scared for my life! We showed the park ranger and he was amazed at what had happened!

At some point in each one of our lives we will be faced with an unexpected turn of events. It most likely won't be a stampede of buffalo, lets hope not, but those times will come. At that time I felt like I had no control over what was happening and felt like the world was closing in around me. I felt completely vulnerable to anything that could happen. At the time I was afraid, you could even say terrified. Eventually that fear passed when I was far away from the source of my terror. The best way that I have ever fought fear is with faith. Faith is the complete opposite of fear. The two can not exist together. What was a scary experience for me was one of joy for the rest of my family. As they trusted that they would be fine they were able to enjoy their surroundings. Our attitude about life is what it turns into. 

Another important aspect in faith is that it is believing in things that aren't always seen but that are there. We can not be like the park ranger in our lives, unbelieving and unwilling to accept something until we have the proof that it is there. We must take a step into the darkness at times. As we do our path will be lit up bit by bit until a larger picture is in view. I made a promise to myself that I would never let myself miss out on opportunities because I was scared to do something. I can't say that I have always lived up one hundred percent to that promise but it is something that I continue to strive for. As I chose to take control of my life I continue to overcome fears and my faith continues to grow.

As we live by faith we will see a new light come into our lives. We will feel a brighter hope. We will be able to get through any challenge that ever falls in our path, or runs down a mountain into our path. We will see ourselves as who we truly are and what our potential to be really is. There is so much waiting for us in this life and all we have to do is reach out and take advantage of what is waiting for us in the dark. Don't let fear hold you back from having faith. Be believing, have an attitude that you will enjoy anything that comes your way, and don't let fear stop you from achieving what you want! 

For me there is nothing stronger than the desire to be more like Jesus Christ. Having faith in Jesus Christ means that you will act upon the example that he has set for each one of us. I believe that I can have any sorrow, guilt, pain, or any burden lifted as I put my faith in him. This never meant more to me than when I let myself actually experience what it means to follow Jesus Christ. My attitude changed everything. As I put faith in him all other fears were drowned out. Whether your fears are more on the spiritual side or more on the worldly side either way they are drowned out as you choose FAITH over FEAR. Even if you don't need a burden lifted at the moment or to fight a fear putting your faith in Jesus Christ will bless your own life as well as the lives around you. 

What has faith done for you in your life?

What fears have you conquered? 

What if you could change the world?

I've wondered can one person change anything? Do the decisions I make today change what tomorrow will hold? Why does it matter what I decide to do with my life today when tomorrow will be here in only a matter of moments? Does my effort make a difference? Does it really matter if I take that one extra step?

 

Yes! A simple answer but I'll explain why.  There is a song that asks us the questions "Have I done any good in the world today? Have I helped anyone in need? Have I cheered up the sad and made someone feel glad? If not, I have failed indeed." Every day is an opportunity of a lifetime. Some days we think to ourselves "that can wait until tomorrow" or "I should probably do that". These moments often get postponed to when it is too late and it doesn't matter anymore.  "There is a danger in thinking the words someday I will, when all it means is not this day. " Decisions determine our destiny! By making a choice you are saying to the universe that I am in control of my future and I will decide what happens. These are the moments that change the world!