M.T.C.=B.J.E. (best.job.ever.)

I feel like I have the best job in the world. 2 weeks ago, I sent off my first district of missionaries at the MTC. All of them were headed to the Milano, Italy Mission. Of course it was sad to see them go, but at the same time I felt such an excitement for them! I kept telling them they were about to have the experience of their lives. The choice to serve a mission was by far the best decision I've ever made. It has set the stage for the rest of my life. The things I learned impact me every day. It has helped me to see the potential I have. I was my BEST SELF during those 18  months, and the challenge is continuing to be that person. These missionaries were full of enthusiasm and faith. An example to me of the way I want to live my life!! 

almost everyone (minus Anziano Eveson and Misahri)

AHHH I LOVE THESE MISSIONARIES SOOOO MUCH!!!

(PS Please disregard my horrible posture in this picture.)

It seems like yesterday that I was in their shoes...

Luckily I only had THE coolest district in the world. 

Having this job causes me to reflect a lot on what I do to continue to serve God. It really does takes a conscious effort to remember to recognize Heavenly Father's hand in our lives. It's incredible that once I become more conscious of Him, the more astounded I am at how involved He really is. He loves those missionaries. I saw Him bless them when they struggled. I know He is so aware of my life too. The struggles I'm striving to overcome, the goals I have... He really does know. All of this reminds me of one of my all-time favorite talks given by Elder Uchtdorf...

"...But even though man is nothing, it fills me with wonder and awe to think that “the worth of souls is great in the sight of God.”⁷And while we may look at the vast expanse of the universe and say, “What is man in comparison to the glory of creation?” God Himself said we are the reason He created the universe! His work and glory—the purpose for this magnificent universe—is to save and exalt mankind.⁸ In other words, the vast expanse of eternity, the glories and mysteries of infinite space and time are all built for the benefit of ordinary mortals like you and me. Our Heavenly Father created the universe that we might reach our potential as His sons and daughters. This is a paradox of man: compared to God, man is nothing; yet we are everything to God. While against the backdrop of infinite creation we may appear to be nothing, we have a spark of eternal fire burning within our breast. We have the incomprehensible promise of exaltation—worlds without end—within our grasp. And it is God’s great desire to help us reach it..." 

[click here to read the whole talk ]