Gary’s Mission–#write31days

First let me say that I belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. That is the actual and proper name for our church. Our church is often referred to as the LDS Church, or the Mormon Church. This series of posts was at the request of some of my friends on Facebook. You can read more about that here–on my Landing Page or introduction for the Write 31 Days Challenge.

I thought it might be easier to share about Gary’s mission if I asked him a series of ten questions. So I will post my question, and then his response. I also managed to get a couple of pictures from him of his mission. He couldn’t find his photo books quickly, but he still managed to find a couple to share.

Where did you serve your mission?

I served in the New York Rochester Mission. It has now been split into two missions: New York Rochester and New York Utica.

When did you serve your mission?

March 1988 to March 1990

How many areas did you serve in and where were they?

6–Rochester City, Pulaski, Syracuse, Loweville, Norwich, Buffalo.

How many companions did you have? Are you still in contact with any of them today?

11–I am friends with a couple of them on Facebook, and a few others who I didn’t serve with as companions but were part of my mission.

What was your favorite thing about your mission?

I have two things! The friendships that were forged with those I was blessed in meeting. And being a part of a mission that had so much Church History…I walked where Joseph walked.

What was the hardest thing about your mission?

Losing myself in the service of my Heavenly Father. Two years is a long time to completely give of yourself for others with no compensation. Keeping your life solely focused on serving your mission is hard. There are so many distractions, but when you are able to lose yourself and selflessly serve your Heavenly Father, it is easier to overcome the hardships.

How did your mission change you?

I learned better study habits (reading and applying scriptures), communication and people skills. I had to learn how to trust and exercise faith in my Heavenly Father. I had to put to use the things my mother tried to teach me. Can you imagine a 19 year old kid not ruining 7 white shirts by not separating his clothes when washing them? How about cooking and doing dishes? I definitely had a lot of personal refining moments on my mission.

What do you miss the most about your mission?

The people and the food. And I miss the beautiful fall colors of Upstate New York.

If you could do anything on your mission over, would you?

I would follow the rules and guidelines with exactness.

What did you learn about yourself while serving your mission?

That I could do hard things, especially when I placed my faith and trust in the Lord.

Share your testimony about serving a mission…

There are so many things that I learned from my mission and I am very grateful for all I learned. First of all, I wanted to serve a Mission. I never felt that it was something that I had to do. It was hard at first being away from my family and friends, but as I put my faith in my Heavenly Father, I knew I would be okay.

I spent those two years of my life sharing the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ to those who would listen in Upstate New York. I met and talked with people from all walks of life. I remember when I first opened my Mission Call thinking of New York. I was going to the concrete jungle. Funny thing, I spent almost 18 months in rural New York. In fact, in one area, I even helped milk and feed cows.

In sharing the message of the Restored Gospel, there were many who didn’t want to listen or wouldn’t even give us Missionaries the time of day. Yes, I had doors slammed in my face, threats of calling the local authorities, and gentle suggestions to get off of their porch. But there were those who did take the time to talk with us, to listen to the message that we had to share. And in time, they accepted the challenge to be baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Those were the times that made it all worth it.

I have a Testimony of Jesus Christ. I know He lives and is my Savior. How grateful I am for the time I served Him as a Missionary in New York.

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