Thoughts on Being a Missionary by Sister Chamberlain

Since we have been on our mission (almost 5 months) we have come to appreciate how senior

couples are desperately needed all over the world. There are so many wards and branches that long for experienced people in the gospel. We have come to appreciate that being called as Public Affairs missionaries does not mean that is what we do all the time or even most of our day. We serve here in the Asia Area Office, which means we really do wear a lot of hats. It makes for many experiences.

We serve as temple workers once a week. That is a highlight of our week. We get to serve in a temple that services 1/2 the world and 11 different languages on a regular basis. There are temple missionaries here but they still need more help, so we are privileged to do that. 

We serve in a branch with Filipina sisters, which means we wear many hats on Sundays. For instance I have played the organ in Sacrament meeting and last Sunday I had to last minute practice with the choir to perform a number in church that very day. I serve as a Self Reliance facilitator, which is a two hour lesson every Sunday for two hours before church. Chuck serves as a branch presidency 1st counselor, which means he may conduct Sacrament meeting and then go teach a Sunday school class. He also sings in the ward choir. Then of course there is the accounting that goes on after the meetings.

We also help out with other missionaries and their projects, which might include fixing food, doing dishes, or whatever grunt work is needed. 

This sounds like a lot of things and it looks tiring to even read this myself but I have learned that being a missionary means you have a mantle associated with that calling that is a feeling I have never experienced in my life. The Spirit carries you through the day and you have more energy than you should have. You work long hours and go to bed so tired you fall right to sleep. But somehow those 7-8 hours of sleep totally renew your body and spirit to start a new day.

 

I don't know how it works but I can see that serving a mission feels like you have a closer and more direct connection to the Lord. It seems that inspiration comes more readily and feeling the love of the Savior for others flows more easily than at home. It is a feeling and experience that I want to relish every minute I have it.

 

Serving a mission is the best Self Development course available. The Lord knows exactly how you can serve in your calling and assist those around you. He also knows the areas of your life that need a little help and we are given opportunities to grow and learn from others.