Elder May: Chapter 102

It’s really hard to believe that Elder Hayden will be home in less than 22 days.  We are busy getting ready for him to come home with finishing his bedroom and getting things situated for his return.  We are beyond excited and blessed to read the 100 things that he learned on his mission.  Some of them made us laugh, some of them were a sigh of relief and others made our hearts swell with joy and eyes well up with tears.  If you have a moment, it is really an amazing list – these 100 or so reasons are the whys we give up our sons and daughters for 2 years.  We love him, we miss him so much but we are oh, so proud of him! Enjoy!!

Chapter 102:

1) Zone Conference!
2) Exchanges!
3) Dinner!

My sentences to start the email are getting lamer. But that is what happened this week!

We had zone Conference and there were a couple pictures posted on Facebook for that. It was my last zone Conference on my mission. That means I bore my final testimony in a zone Conference. But it was fun! We talked about our desires to teach and to baptize and related it to Nephi building a ship. We are 20 year olds given a near impossible task. To “teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and Son and Holy Ghost”. That’s pretty overwhelming if we don’t know who has given us that charter. It’s our Father in Heaven. The person who wants us to succeed in this life the most. With any trial or task we are put through, we can look to the One who has given us our life. When you feel like you’ve been dealt a bad hand, you can look at the one who dealt the cards. Pray to the Father and he will give you help.

We got to go on exchanges on Friday as well. After we served at our local food pantry, we were able to attempt to get in contact with some people we are teaching, give a blessing to a wonderful member family going through a hard time, and visit with another family in the ward.

Then on Sunday, after a powerful fast and testimony meeting, another wonderful family volunteered to make us dinner. They made my Sunday favorite, Roast Beef and Mashed Potatoes! It was delicious!!!

I sent my mom a list of 100 things i have learned on my mission. This week I have my “departing” interview with my mission President in which we go over what I’ve learned, some goals I have made, some plans to go through with those plans, etc., for an hour. It will be my last interview as a missionary which is crazy but exciting.

I love you all and will talk to you later!

100 Things Iʼve Learned on My Mission

-Elder May-

1.     Jesus is the Christ

2.     He wants us to succeed

3.     We succeed if we full heartedly try

4.     Heavenly Father answers prayers

5.     Heavenly Father usually waits for us to show real intent  before answering our prayers

6.     I need to go to college

7.     I need to get a stable job

8.     I never want to be homeless

9.     If you don’t have a plan in your life, make one and allow it

to be changed if necessary

10.   Technology is advancing to hasten the work of the Lord

11.   Patience is a divine characteristic that should be prayed for often

12.   Marriage should be a practice of helping to make one another their best selves

13.   Marriage outside the temple is NOT worth it

14.   We should marry the person that is the most spiritual and the most beautiful to us

15.   Joseph Smith saw God The Father and His Divine Son

16.   The Book of Mormon is the word of God

17.   Satan will try anything to get you to doubt your testimony

18.   Missionary work is done in many different ways

19.   Heavenly Father never withholds love from us

20.   We separate ourselves from His trust through sin

21.   God can’t steer a stagnant soul

22.   Spiritual Gifts are real and nearly innumerable

23.   I can and have blessed lives

24.   Families can be together forever

25.   Christ paid for and understands all things

26.   The Godhead and their angels sustain

27.   We are inexpressibly important to Them

28.   We aren’t going to know everything in this life

29.   Without the Gift of the Holy Ghost, testimony can fade quickly

30.   I am incredibly blessed to be a member of the Church

31.   The priesthood is available to all who ask for it

32.   Being a leader is important

33.   Being a follower is important

34.   The best leaders are the best followers of Christ

35.   Listening usually more important than speaking

36.   People are naturally friendly

37.   People can feel whether or not you care about them

38.   The purpose of life is to return to God and bring others with you

39.   There is life after death

40.   Countless people are waiting for us to do their temple work

41.   Attitude is a choice

42.   I chose to come to the earth at this time for a purpose

43.   I was valiant in my testimony in the Pre-Earth life

44.   I am valiant in my testimony in this life

45.   Being offended is a decision

46.   Gods work and glory is in Moses 1\39. Our work is to follow the commandments (D&C 11\20)

47.   The priesthood is real

48.   The Holy Ghost is with us always

49.   Obedience to the Gospel is not very difficult

50.   Being converted and stalwart is better and easier than being lukewarm in the Gospel

51.   God purpose is missionary work

52.   Being a husband and father is a divine and godly calling

53.   Charity and love are the catalyst for all other Christlike attributes

54.   What the Gospel of Jesus Christ is

55.   Why the Plan of Salvation is put in place

56.   The doctrinal importance of the Restoration

57.   Satan has many counterfeits of the true gospel

58.   My faith doesn’t waiver with the change of leaders

59.   We do need to pray to know if our leaders are inspired of God

60.   Christ is not the back-up plan. He always has been our Plan for Salvation

61.   It is often better to take a moment and collect your thoughts before trudging headlong into something

62.   How to deal with stress

63.   How to deal with opposition

64.   How to be extroverted

65.   How to love and live with others

66.   How to voice opposition

67.   The role of technology in our lives

68.   How to share the gospel

69.   That I would be lost without the Gospel

70.   This world is crazy

71.   It is best to always drive defensively

72.   I can pray and receive answers to prayers

73.   How to recognize the Spirit

74.   How to have an effective study session

75.   My opinion does matter

76.   If I try, I am able to get along with anyone

77.   I care for other people

78.   How important family is to me

79.   I don’t really want to live far from a temple

80.   The ideology of a mission had to come from divinity

81.   The sacrament should be our highlight of the week

82.   I always want to be an active and participating member of the church

83.   What it means to be a son of God

84.   The difference between joy and happiness

85.   That prioritization is better than time management

86.   The character of the Godhead

87.   The peace that comes from an eternal family

88.   How to minister to others

89.   The simplicity of service

90.   The principle and purpose of priesthood keys

91.   The meaning of Christ being our advocate and Savior

92.   How to read the Isaiah chapters without getting really confused and/or skipping them

93.   The effect that music has on our lives

94.   How faith can sustain us

95.   Nothing is good in excess/ all things should be done in moderation

96.   The importance of fasting

97.   Faith should be placed in the power of the Lord

98.   The will of the Lord is always for the best

99.   Christ suffered for our pains, temptations, and afflictions so He can succor is

100. Gods Plan is His way to have as many of His children back that choose to be there