Here Comes The Sun

Yatehee,

It has been an amazing week here in Crownpoint. Despite how amazing it is, and how good I like everything to sound with these emails, there are still a lot of times where things are very difficult. For those of you who have served a mission, you will understand when I say that the mission is a roller coaster and will take you all over the place. For those of you who haven't and are just getting bits and pieces here and there, here is another piece of a day in the life of a missionary. Every single day holds a brand new mindset, emotion, and spirit. I'm sure most of you know somewhat how it goes with the actual work, but the most mysterious part of missionary work is what goes on inside our hearts, minds, and spirit. 

Coming out into a new area to serve, I meet and find new people everyday. As I sit and meet with them to get to know them, I receive an added perspective to this life and the children here upon the earth. I hear all the time about the trials and challenges that people face, and wonder to myself how in the world I personally would handle the situation. We come to love these people very very much and find great joy in their successes, and great sorrow when Sunday comes around and they don't show. It is a tear jerking journey when you put your entire heart into helping these people who need something you have and they just aren't getting it. You wake up, you pray for them, study for them, eat food so you can use your body to help them, plan out the day for them, drive to them, sleep for them, give all you absolutely can to help these people see an everlasting truth. Sometimes our efforts pay off, other times it doesn't seem so, and amidst it all, we are giving every thought, feeling, and desire for them. 

THis work is the most demanding on the planet, because it is the most important on the earth. So why wouldn't it demand so much of us? Why wouldn't we give our absolute all and be completely drained for such a cause that will solve every problem in the world. How can I make such a claim about EVERY problem in the world being solved and not have people come running for it? Of course I know, there are reasons, but logically, it is the absolute smartest thing to do.

Don't have very much time, but I know this work is true, and is the absolute greatest thing I could possibly be doing. I hope it is helping some of you, because mission is not the end of my service. Nor will by existence on this earth be.

Love you all!

Elder Sandberg