Aug 2

Answers to newspaper questions:
What excites you most about your mission?
What excites me most about going on my mission is having the opportunity everyday for the next two years of my life to grow close to my Heavenly Father, and that I'll be able to help others come closer to Heavenly Father as well. I'm excited to share the joy that I've received throughout my life because of the Gospel of Jesus Christ with others, so that they can have that joy and peace in the lives as well.
What causes you most concern:
What causes me most concern is not doing the best that I can at all times to help others find the joy in the Gospel. I do not want to allow one soul that I could have helped slip through my fingers. Each souls worth is great in the sight of God, "D&C 18:10-11." I want to help everyone that I can return to our Heavenly Father's presence and feel the love of our Savior in their life.
What do you want people to know about this journey you're about to take?
I want to let everyone know that although it may seem to them that this is a big sacrifice to give up 2 years of my normal life to do something that will be hard, stressful, and a total culture shock, to me it's an honor and a privilidge to serve the people of Madagascar as Christ would if he were here as a representative of Him. Things were not made easy for Christ while he was on this earth and as a representative of Jesus Christ I expect the same. The mission that I am about to embark on will not be easy, but it will be worth it.
Do you have any thoughts about being so far from your family? How will you cope with this?
I do have some thoughts on this. Although we may be far away physically, we will be close in spirit. When we go on a mission we make sacrifices...being away from our families physically, cell phones, tv, and for me, not being able to watch espn everyday. The way that I cope with this is by realizing that the Savior has gone through all of our pains and sufferings, large and small, and because of that he will always be there for me in my times of need and he will watch out for my family and bless them. I know this to be true because I've seen it happening already.