When times get tough. ***80 Days before my Mission***

November Something, 2013

The Czech Republic

I leave in eighty days for my LDS Mission to the Czech Republic. Ill actually spend the first two months of my mission in Utah, learning the Czech Language and learning how to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Czech people.

I am so excited for the mission. Especially the destination. I cannot think of a better way to spend the next two years of my life. For those of you who may not know much about LDS missions, I am paying my own way and will be living in country. I won't be staying with a host family and I am not required to do this.

People are people and the Czechs aren't aliens. Their language and history are much different from my own but I know without a doubt that I will not want to leave them in the end. I will embrace them and they will embrace me.

I am so excited for this chance to serve with all my heart and energy. I am so excited to have the constant companionship of the spirit. I am excited to give my all to bring old spirit friends to the gospel, that we might be able to be together forever in the celestial kingdom.

I hope to remember this sincere paragraph I wrote during my institute study when times may get difficult.

"We need not shrink or feel embarrassed when we do not know the right answer to someone who is a cynic, a critic or a sneering mocker of the gospel. The spirit is a sensitive, truly unique thing, it cannot just be explained at the drop of a hat. Those who ask for explanations with a sincere heart and real intent will be helped along by the very spirit in their understanding of our spiritual knowledge. When facing opposition, we may not be able to teach the hard hearted what we know. But we needn’t be afraid, embarrassed or ashamed of our inability, so long as we leave them with our testimony of what we do know, regardless of how well they understand us."

Following my return from my mission, I have formulated a plan to join the Air Force or Air National Guard as a Pararescueman. It is my mission and my purpose to search, rescue and heal the weak and broken. I can think of no more nobel call than to do my duty, that others might live.