Greeting, talk about previous
talks, say thanks
Today in my talk I split it into
three main sections, where I started, where I am now, and where I hope to
be/going.
Since as long as I
can remember I have always had the desire to serve a mission for the Lord;
probably singing ‘I hope they call me on a mission’ with Jake Snyder in primary
furthered or even started my deep desire to serve a mission. In elementary
school I loved to sing at the chorus concerts. It gave me a certain feeling of
accomplishment. I never got a solo, even though I was the only boy who stayed
throughout the music program into middle and high school. From singing in
school to primary I loved all the songs about serving missions. Throughout my
childhood I knew that I was going to serve a mission, I just didn’t know when
or how. Although it was most definitely after I had grown a foot or two. I was
taught at a very young age that a mission was a very important thing for young
men and women to deeply consider. I can recall my dad asking me when I was
about 6 or 7 ‘Do you like girls yet?’ I responded with a resounding NO. His
reply was ‘Good! You’re not allowed to like girls until after your mission!’
Back then I gave no thought of this as a mission was many years away. I am that
sad to say that what my father told me has come to pass. Not that I don’t like
girls like a little 5 year old but I haven’t gotten into a serious (or any kind
for that matter) relationship at all. I now realize what he was telling me back
then and it showed me how important missions are. A couple years back I started to become
nervous. Being given larger roles in musical productions, playing soccer for
crowds and with the varsity team, and singing with choral groups has made me
anxious to not mess up, hence the nervousness. I always strive to do my best in
all that I do. I hold myself responsible for mistakes, shortcomings, and all
manners of negativity. I would always be scared that I would mess up in front
of the whole school, let my team down, or let myself down. So because of all
this stress I believe I became a nervous person. Even in my senior year after 6
years of musicals, main roles, many speaking lines I was still just as
scared/nervous as the first time I had a major role. This has made me more
conscious of why I was getting nervous before activities such as musicals or
talks. I was watching Doctor Who, a
fantastic television show, and the Doctor (who is an alien from a distant
planet and can travel through time and space that is played by a human
character) was talking to a young boy who was scared of a specter underneath
his bed sheets. It could have been just a friend playing a trick on him, or a
monster that the Doctor has been searching for. (Sorry you have to watch the
show) He told him “Are you scared? You see him on the bed. Look at it does it
scare you? ‘Yes’ Well that’s good. You want to know why that’s good? ‘Why’ Let
me tell you about scared. Your heart is beating so hard I can feel it through
your hands. There’s so much blood and oxygen pumping through your brain it’s
like rocket fuel! Right now you could run faster, and you can fight harder! You
can jump higher than ever in your life and you are so alert it’s like you can
slow down time! What’s wrong with scared? Scared is a superpower! There is danger
in this room and guess what its you! Do you feel it? Do you thinks he feels it?
Do you think he’s scared, nah loser.” So from this the Doctor is telling this
young frightened boy that scared is not something to feel bad about. In fact
scared helps us and even can bring out the best in us. So if we are scared to
do something we were given the ability to do it. Like in 1Nephi 3:7 “Read it” If the lord has commanded us to do something,
we can do it, even if we’re scared. I’m sure Nephi was a little hesitant to go
back to Laban’s house because when they first asked for the plates, he
threatened to kill them, but if we go forth in faith than we can do anything.
When I first
received my mission call in the mail I wanted to rip it open that second as I
have waited for it for at least the past couple weeks. But my parents wanted to
invite people over to share with the experience, so I waited a couple more days
and finally got to open it. Dear Elder Emerick, you are hereby called to serve
in the California Carlsbad Mission. This was somewhat a surprise to me because
I had guessed state wise the San Diego Mission which is exactly below my
mission. So it was a testimony to me that California was the mission I was
supposed to go to. But then a couple of
sentences down it said that I would teach the gospel in Spanish! This was
another testimony to me because I had prayed that I would learn a new language
on my mission. But I was also astonished to see that I would go to the Mexico
MTC, as I had also prayed to go another country on my mission. So I had
received what I had been praying for and the Lord’s will was also met by me
going to California, the place where I needed to be. I was so excited when I
read the rest of the letter, it told me of all the blessings that would help me
and my family while I was on my mission. I read the missionary booklet that
told me all the things I needed and since August I have been anxiously waiting
for December 31st. It has been awesome telling all my friends on
Facebook, Twitter, and at work what I’ll be doing and how great the next two
years are going to be. I am so excited to start my mission and embark on the
greatest journey of my life.
Now as I leave for
Mexico, then California I know that what I am doing is for the Lord. I know that
because he died for us that we can return to live with him and that’s why I
want to serve a mission. I want to share that message and the message of the
restored gospel. It won’t be easy, some days I will feel that this is one of
the hardest things I have ever done. But I know that these next two years will
be the best two of my life so far. I like it when I go out with the
missionaries and help them with their appointments. I can’t wait to learn
Spanish! I’m sure the Mexico MTC will be tons of fun and I will learn a lot
there. My parents have helped me learn how to study a little bit and showed me
a Spanish App that helped me remember some remedial Spanish. They have been so
supportive to me for my mission and they, along with everyone else have been such
a blessing. I will definitely remember your love while I’m out serving the
Lord. Thank you for everything you all have done.
Testimony
