1 Down, 51 To Go

That is a two week period. I only have to do 51 two week periods more and then two years will be up. Crazy, huh? the math doesn't really seem to add up but i promise it does.

So first thing's first: This week has been a bit of a roller coaster. The kind that goes up and down then up and down. Like many roller coasters, when you get off, you vomit your brains out. That just might happen to me due to the two day headache I've had that refuses to cease. All in all however, I think I've been able to get off this roller coaster and had desires to stand in line for it again. I really have had a lot of good experiences this week.

So at a fireside, we sang "A Child's Prayer" for the closing song. The Spirit was so strong there. It was so amazing to hear 2000+ missionaries singing a testimony of God and how He hears and answers our prayers and it reminded me that as missionaries, we sometimes have to have the faith of a child. It was very cool. Elder Bleazard and I have also had some amazing Teaching appointments this week. One with a Mock investigator we met with last week and this time, our lesson went way better. We got her to make commitments to pray about Joseph Smith and read and pray about The Book of Mormon. Then, last night, we met with a teacher to practice teaching the plan of salvation. He told us when we were finished that it was an amazing lesson. He commended us for the personal experiences and scriptures we shared and told us they were all perfect for the situation he made up and that he had never even heard one of the scriptures before but that it was "PERFECT".

Yesterday afternoon, we had a large group meeting to discuss how baptism is central to our purpose as missionaries. It completely changed my attitude. I know now that I can be a successful missionary no matter what Connecticut's statistics are. If I set worthwhile goals and earnestly seek to achieve them, I can fill baptismal fonts. I know that I just need to be diligent and try my hardest and the Lord will provide the rest. It was such an amazing meeting.

However, it paled in comparison to last night's fireside. Robert D. Hales came to speak to us with his wife and it was one of the most amazing experiences I've ever had. He talked about how obedience is requisite to having the spirit and the Spirit is requisite to missionary work; especially baptism. It was so great to hear from a prophet of God talking to me not as 1 in 13 million members of the church but as 1 of 2000 young people preparing to serve the Lord. His message felt very tailored to me and it was an experience I will always carry with me. One thing he talked about was being a mission president in London. He said he had a prima ballerina, a concert pianist, and a star basketball player as missionaries who were all told if they served missions, their careers would be virtually over. He commended them for choosing missionary work but then went on to say how we had all made sacrifices to be there. Whether we gave up scholarships or other educational opportunities or whatever it was, everyone sacrificed something to be at the MTC. He then said that whatever we sacrificed could not possibly be worth what we would gain from our mission. I know this was a true statement. I don't think I sacrificed that much to be here. At least I didn't let anything go that I can't have when I get back but I know this will be the most worthwhile experience of my life.

I love this work. I love being here and I can't wait to get to the field. Thanks to everyone who is supporting me and praying for me. I love all of you and I feel your support. Thanks for everything. Next time I email, I'll be in Connecticut so look forward to that!

All my love,

Elder Cody M. Jardine