Oct 11th Week 52 (One Year) Radiant Wings Centerville Utah Week 1(T1 Elder Fairbanks)

皆さん！

 

I promise I'm gonna be better about writing weekly. I can't go into details at the moment, but things have been a little rough over here - but things have gotten much better. But it's alright - that and a sinus infection that took me out for a week didn't help things, either. So it's alright. We're making it work.

 

With transfers come change - and I've left West Layton to... basically return. I'm in Centerville now - covering the Centerville and Centerville South stakes. It's literally felt like coming home. That, compounded with the clouds and rain that we've been able to receive the past few weeks have made this entire week feel like I'm back in Washington. 

 

I'm grateful for my time in West Layton - I've learned so many lessons about myself that I don't think I could have otherwise. I'm looking forward to seeing the miracles that will come this transfer, too.

 

I have a darn good companion in Elder Fairbanks! We get along great, and have a ton in common. He's a little bit of a jovial guy, always cracking jokes - especially dad jokes - and is just generally a good guy with a great heart. We teach together well, though we're still getting used to each others' teaching styles, and we're making everything work as best as we can!

 

I have a good feeling about this transfer. So many small little things - the weather, the people, the connections - it seems the Lord really is looking after me. I'm excited to see what the future holds for me from here on out.

 

"I have often pondered what it means to hold on to [those we love] with faith. I believe it includes simple acts of love, meekness, kindness, and respect. It means allowing them to develop at their own pace and bearing testimony to help them feel our Savior’s love. It requires us to think more about them and less about ourselves or others. That usually means speaking less and listening much, much more. We must love them, empower them, and praise them often in their efforts to succeed and be faithful to God. And finally, we should do everything in our power to stay close to them—just as we stay close to God." - Elder Erich W. Kopischke

 

This whole talk just resonated powerfully with me - most of you probably know the parallel drawn is why:

"Frankly, few of us would probably write into our stories the trials that refine us. But don’t we love the glorious culmination of a story we read when the protagonist overcomes the struggle? Trials are the elements of the plot that make our favorite stories compelling, timeless, faith promoting, and worthy of telling. The beautiful struggles written into our stories are what draw us closer to the Savior and refine us, making us more like Him. [...]

The sublime principle of agency does, of course, allow us to write our own stories—David could have gone home, back to tending sheep. But Jesus Christ stands ready to use us as divine instruments, sharpened pencils in His hand, to write a masterpiece! He is mercifully willing to use me, a scrawny pencil, as an instrument in His hands, if I have the faith to let Him, if I will let Him author my story." - President Camille N. Johnson, Primary General President

 

And of course, whenever the prophet of the Lord speaks, it's always worth listening -

"My brothers and sisters, I plead with you to make time for the Lord! Make your own spiritual foundation firm and able to stand the test of time by doing those things that allow the Holy Ghost to be with you always.

Never underestimate the profound truth that 'the Spirit speaketh […] of things as they really are, and of things as they really will be.' 'It will show unto you all things what ye should do.'" - President Russell M. Nelson, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

 

 

...Am I forgetting something?

 

Oh, yeah. Right. Most of you are probably keeping track, so...

 

My one year mark will be on the fifteenth - making this my one year email.

 

...

 

I'm not really sure what to say, to be honest. This mission has meant - and continues to mean - everything to me. I think most of you know me I'm fairly altruistic in nature, so this has been a dream come true for me. Being able to spend every day serving others, helping them to find light in life and meaning in every day... there's no better feeling than seeing someone's eyes light up when they realize they really are lived. That there really is a Savior that knows them, because He's felt everything they've felt. That they have people who so desparately want to help them - and that more than anything, they have hope in knowing they are loved by both Heaven and Earth.

 

I wish words could convey just how powerful that is. How powerful our message is. But any metaphor or simile would only be a pall shadow in comparison.

 

Love, hope, and joy. Those are the gifts that this Gospel provides. Perspective and identity - a release of enmity. This, all because of our Savior, Jesus Christ, whose name I have the privilege of bearing every single day. To walk in His footsteps, to follow His path... to love as He loved, with an infinite charity for those that we meet.

 

I'm so grateful for all the friendships I've formed, and all of the miracles I've seen. Most of all, I'm grateful for the opportunity to be able to serve everyone as best as I can, throwing myself into the work and becoming the best light that I can be for them. Being able to focus all of my energy on helping other people is exactly what I've wanted to do for my entire life - and this past year has been one of pure joy. Though I wish I could say it was all happy... I have experienced so much joy and have seen so much light. I've learned so much, and look forward to learning even more in this next phase of my mission.

 

Thank you all for being a part of it - for coming along with me in this wonderful merry-go-round of life.

 

 

Love you all - you all are amazing. Take care!

Elder Decker

デッカー長老