Two Big Days

BIG DAY #1

October 29, 2013

Going to the temple… 

What a wonderful place the temple is, it is a very sacred place that can bring much happiness and peace.  It was a great honor to be able to go with Cameron and attend with him for his first time through.

Jordan River Temple in South Jordan Utah

Did you know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has 141 operating temples world wide at this time?

Cameron's signature jumping photo!

You can learn more about LDS Temples, why we have them and what we do in them by going to www.lds.org/church/temples

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BIG DAY #2

October 30, 2013

Drop off day…the final goodbye.

Grandma Janet, Cameron, Aunt Jennifer and Great Grandpa Astle

Hugging his Great Grandpa goodbye.

Headed down to Provo to the missionary training center (MTC).

Quick visit with Bryan Fowler.

Our last photo in front of the Provo temple before we took him into the MTC and dropped him off.  I wish now that I would have gotten a photo of him walking off with ALL of the missionaries.  It was quite a site to see.  Pretty awesome actually.   

Now what? We wait for letter/e-mails to arrive to hear how and what he is doing.  (Jeopardy music.) 

"The doctrinal basis of missionary work is the word of God, revealed in every age, that man cannot be saved in the celestial kingdom without the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ and that the only way to lay claim to the merits of that Atonement is to follow the command of its author: “Repent, and be baptized every one of you” (Acts 2:38). We are called to assist in this great effort." - Elder Dallin H. Oaks

Called To Serve

"Elder Johnson:

 

     You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the France Lyon Mission. It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of 24 months."

 

     As I opened my call, I distinctly remember the first word I saw: FRANCE.  It was as if it had jumped off the page like in a pop-up book. Tears of surprise and gratitude came to my eyes as I realized I was going to have to opportunity to serve the Lord in such a beautiful part of the world.

 

     One hundred and four days have passed since opening my call and I have forty-four   to go before I leave for the Missionary Training Center in Provo, UT.

 

     Never in my life have I felt  so conflicted about something. I cannot begin to express how excited and grateful I am to have the opportunity to serve--but at the same time I am already missing my family. With that said,  I know  the Lord will bless my family and me for it. Not to mention I get to experience a new culture, language and people!

 

There is no question in my mind if I will miss my family and friends, but I know serving a mission is the right thing to do. I must be a part of the work. I must help spread the gospel of Jesus Christ to the French people. I know of the happiness and blessings it can bring to individuals' lives and I want to share that happiness.

 

"Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah, who layeth down his life according to the flesh, and taketh it again by the power of the Spirit, that he may bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, being the first that should rise."

The Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 2:8 

 

 

This is my actual mission call, which is signed by the President of the Church, Thomas S. Monson.

 

The area the France Lyon Mission encompasses.

 

Throughout my mission, my mom will update this blog on how I'm doing, where I'm serving, and anything interesting that has happened!

 

CTR,

Cameron