Bonjour à tous
There are several things I
want to express but there is way too much, so I have the difficult task of
choosing what to share! I've had so many
experiences.
I don't know
why I have been so blessed to have been able to come to this mission, at this
time. Looking back at my mission, I've realized how everything that has
happened to me, has been crucial to my spiritual growth and testimony of the
Savior. It has been like a perfectly designed puzzle. My life will never be the
same thanks to President and Sister Roney (and the Browns), all of my
companions, the faithful French members, who everyday face the challenge of
living in a country apathetic towards God, the Amis I've come to love as
family, and even the random person on the street.
If I've
learned anything during the span of my mission, it would be this; love is the
key. I have genuinely come to love the French people and their culture. The
exquisite food, flawlessly balanced in taste and consistency. The pâté fois
gras, escargots, all of the patisseries, bread and chocolate. The French
affinity for family and friends. Their family is the most important thing of
their life. I love how initially awkward they are when you don't know them. I
love how they have practically zero spatial awareness and are nearly
incapable of guessing if something will fit somewhere (except whilst parallel
parking). I love the members and their courage to stand up for Christ's doctrine
in the face of ever present secularism. They are pioneers of the church and I
have gained a huge respect for them. They are incredible.
I am forever
grateful for the lifetime friendships I have created. The word 'ami' for
investigator is more than appropriate. To even think I would have not had the
opportunity to meet the people I have greatly saddens me. There are so many
incredible people! I've learned great lessons. You can't just "deal with
people", you have to love them.
I know
Heavenly Father made it possible for me to gain a sincere love for the people
and even my mission. For every beautiful experience, every kind, sincere
person, for every good day there have been innumerable bad ones. Days that are
unbearably long where people yell at you to go home and keep your dirty sect.
I've had things thrown at me. I've been laughed at. I was assaulted and
even stabbed. These experiences weren't fun. But they didn't define my mission
experience.
They weren't
able to... Because no matter how tired I was or how mean the people were, I
knew and I will always know that I was never alone. Not once. The atonement of
Jesus Christ can turn the greatest tragedies to the most beautiful experiences.
The difference between misery and happiness is an eternal perspective. On the
days where I felt like I couldn't continue, I felt divine support from my
Heavenly Father through His son, Jesus Christ.
I long to
see my family. I love them much. I'm excited to see them. At the beginning of
the mission, you look forward and feel like your mission is never going to end.
Two years seems so long. But then you look backward and it seems it has been
about two weeks.
I love you
all and I am eternally grateful I was able to share a tiny bit of what I have
experienced. I hope you have been uplifted and strengthened in your faith in
Christ.
Que Dieu
vous bénisse! À bientôt :)
Elder Cameron
Johnson
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| Watching the 185th Semi Annual General Conference |
