In serving this mission I am committing 2 years of my life to serving my Father in heaven and the people of New Zealand. Maybe it's just because I'm so young but 2 years seems like a really long time. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't afraid of leaving. So much can change and so much will change by time I get back. Friends will grow more distant, primary children I taught will forget that I taught them at all and siblings could very well be married off by time I get back. Both of them. So why serve? Why lose 2 years of my life? Why go 7,000 miles away to a place I know hardly anything about other than the fact that we luckily speak the same language?
The simple answer is that I believe with my whole heart what I will be teaching.
I've come to know that I have a Heavenly Father that loves me, even if I sometimes try his infinite amount of patience. I know that He cares for me, that when I pray He hears me, that He is listening when I do and waiting when I don't. I know this because I've asked Him, I've cried and prayed to know He is there and he has answered my pleading. Although at times it takes a little faith, I know He will always want what's best for me. I hope during this time I'll be able to give my best for Him.
I've come to know that I have a Savior that also loves me, more than I can imagine. I've come to better realize his atoning sacrifice and how much I owe him. I've come to know how my sins have hurt him, how each and every one was another drop of blood he had to shed. As I've better understood the depth of his love for me, my gratitude and love for him have grown as well. Christ has such love for every one of us and I just wish I could show him an ounce of that love.
I've come to know that Joseph Smith was a true prophet, that his words are the words of my Heavenly Father to me. If I already know my Heavenly Father loves me then I know that He wouldn't leave His children without direction forever. Joseph Smith was the way by which He brought His truth to the earth once more. Joseph Smith was a prophet, and by that same token Thomas S. Monson is a true and living prophet today who leads Christ's church with his direction.
I've come to know these things because I've taken the time to see for myself, to start with the most basic doctrines and pray to know they are true. My conversion story isn't special in anyway other than the fact that it is mine. The testimony I've developed is my most sacred asset; without it I could not serve this mission nor follow the teachings of this church. It is the rock I lean on when the rains come tumbling down, when I begin to question my beliefs or the thought of leaving for so long. There are so many people I love, so many people that I will miss with all my heart but I know this is the course I should take.
I thank my Heavenly Father for the opportunity to share this testimony. I will be giving it my all as I serve in New Zealand, the land of the long white cloud.
