The past couple months leading up to leaving on a mission have been filled with reading books such as
Jesus the Christ, The Holy Temple, Articles of Faith and
Preach My Gospel. All of which are really great reads, regardless if one is preparing to go on a mission, and even if you're not LDS I would recommend reading any of them if you wish to learn more about the subjects that they talk about.
And of course I've been reading in the Book of Mormon, I just finished a particular studying style where I mark each name used to refer to Jesus Christ, (hint, more than 1000 references!) also marking all His words and when there is reference to His life or mission. It has been a fantastic experience that has strengthened my testimony of Jesus Christ.
Since the beginning of the month has been especially busy getting ready, shopping for clothes and stuff, catching up on Institute readings, learning more about relationships from a couple excellent mentors, learning Spanish, finishing preparations and mission training and putting everything in order. I've also had the special opportunity to work at the Provo Temple. The work done there is so sacred and amazing, the spirit is always there so strongly. I hope that everyone will be able to receive the blessings that are received there and to become closer to God.
I've been trying to use my time to the best, bringing the phone around with me to listen to conference talks for Institute whenever I'm not engaged in something, listening to relationship helping CDs while exercising and on the elliptical, trying to not just stand around doing nothing, always being involved in good works and preparations.
I keep making lists and adding to them as I find things that need to be done. And I'm accomplishing the things on them because I consistently accomplish my goals.
A couple neat experiences from today and yesterday are these: Yesterday after my Temple shift I was waiting for my ride to come out to the lobby. As I was waiting I was watching people come and go, looking for people I knew and spreading smiles around. And then I looked over to the other place that people were coming out of, and I saw the parents of my buddy I had been with when I was a councilor for Special Needs Mutual! I'd had it in the back of my mind to call them since that was my only contact method I had for them, but then all of a sudden God helps us to meet up in His house! Then tonight I had an interview with a councilor in the Stake Presidency, and as I was at the Stake Center I ran into the missionaries, whom I'd been meaning to try and go out with on exchanges, so now I should have that opportunity before I head to Peru!
A few tools and techniques that have helped keep me in good spirits and focused on good things are these, first of all, prayer and scripture study. Prayer has become more meaningful for me when I imagine myself or envision myself sitting down and talking with Heavenly Father face to face, it has helped me build a stronger relationship with Him to actually see what I picture Him to be, instead of just praying out into space. Focusing prayer towards Heaven is great and I've done it many times, certainly better than just giving a quick, rote prayer for whatever you're needing; however, I've found a stronger relationship with actually praying (talking) to God face to face, especially when I am genuinely thankful for things I've been blessed to receive from Him and the talents He's given me.
Scripture study is so insightful if you'll just look. Too many times I just scan instead of looking. As I've been working on finding references to Christ's name, words and mission it had helped me dig deeper into the scriptures and find more meaning in them. Find what works for you.
A couple other things that have helped me stay positive instead of sinking into the despair that likes to find preparing missionaries is each morning and night, right before and right after going to or getting out of bed, I'll declare who I am. I've taken negative comments that I've been being told, by myself, others or the little voices in my head, and I've turned them around and doubled them into two positive statements about myself. So instead of my handwriting sucks, which I've said for all but the first couple years of being able to write, I say that I create beauty and my handwriting is elegant! And guess what? It's changed! It's legible now! I can write quickly and clearly, my letters flow! I've also changed my health and energy, my observance and use of time, my ability to sleep and alertness, becoming decisive and confident. And now I'm working on consistently accomplishing my goals, having good sleep habits, being patient and forgiving, being discerning and perceptive y hablo Español con claridad y fluidez! (this last one is key for learning a language for whatever reason, say that you can speak the language you're learning with a couple good adjectives attached, and say it in the language!)
I also have a vision board, a success journal that I'll write at least 10 successes from the day before I go to sleep, a vision statement that says who I'm becoming as well as a black journal to capture all the negative thoughts that try to invade my head and putting them in their place, on paper, visible to me as evidence that there is an enemy and he wants to get into our heads to make us hopeless and useless. I could write a ton about all these tools, I could share more on all of them, prayer, scripture reading and declarations included; but for the sake of yours and my time I'll refrain right now. But I would love to answer any questions that you have about any of them, or about anything that I have written or will write about preparing for and serving a mission as I head out to the field.
Know that God is there for you. He won't force you to do anything, but as you desire to improve yourself and become more like Him, He will bless you with what you need for you goals. Speak positively, your words shape your reality. Go and do, a half a step and sometimes the thought of a step will start to bring Heaven's help, and as you keep going it just gains momentum and it will take you on the ride of your life. Live long and prosper, and go make it a great day!
