Dear Heavenly Father,
Well, my time is up. 18
months have come and gone. 18 months in which I promised to give you my
all, represent your Son, and wear His name proudly.
I can´t help but laugh when I
think about what I used to say. That school was more important.
Remember how mad I would get when others hinted at the idea of a mission?
Not required, not expected, not for me.
But you knew my heart.
I think Nauvoo is when you
first lit the flame. And as time passed by, with a comment here, and a
special moment there, you kindled the fire within me. Little by little
until you dumped on the whole gallon of propane with that famous announcement
of October 2012. But you never rushed me. You let me go at my
pace. To study, pray, investigate, and analyze every solution, every
possibility. And when I was ready. When I was willing. When I
was humble after the long process. You let me know what you had planned
for me all along. Thank you for that Easter morning. Thank you for
those Jerusalem bird songs. I have cherished that moment for these past
18 months.
And so the girl who always said
no, said yes. And look at what´s happened since.
Use whatever metaphor you´d
like. Refiners fire or a pruning gardener, I´m not the same as I
was. What seemed like so much time turned out to be so little when filled
with the experiences that you´ve given me. And now I find myself begging
for more. Not wanting to go home. Denying the idea that there could be
anything better than working in your vineyard.
I´ve met people and I´ve loved
them. They've changed me and I hope I could help them in return.
I've learned a language, a culture, new music, food, and candy. My heart
arrived here Caucasian, but It´s going home brown. And after all that has
been said and done, the lessons, the contacts, prayers, and testimonies; I just
have one question left for you.
Did I do okay?
Did I do what you had planned
for me to do? Did I use your sacred time as you wanted? I messed up
a lot, I know. And I´m sorry for that. But I did what I
could. I put all I had on the altar. Was it enough?
I know you wont be able to tell
me until I see you again, but I hope I can hear you say, "Yes"... or
even better, "Sí." But until that day comes I want you to know
that I´ll keep working. You´ve made me a tool in your hands and I want to
stay that way forever. I´ll go where you want me to go, do what you want
me to do, BE what you want me to BE. I´m not perfect, I don´t even feel
good; but I´m trying and I´m asking you to help me.
Don´t let me forget them. Don´t let me forget this
time. Let it burn forever in my little brown heart. And if it´s not
too selfish of me, don´t let them forget me either.
Your servant and daughter, forever and always,
Hermana Eden Lance
"Un relevo como misionero de tiempo completo es un
llamamiento como misionero de toda la vida."
I shouldn't be crying, but I am. You have touched my heart with your testimony and you have opened a window onto my soul. I am so much older than you, I am your grandmother, for Heaven's sake, and still you teach me, you eclipse me, and I love you even more because of that. Chin up Fair Hermana, the Lord knows you well and loves you dearly. Well Done.
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful prayer, Eden. I will share it with each of your cousins and it will stay in my heart always. I am proud of you and I know Heavenly Father is too.
ReplyDeleteSister Lance, I have been reading your blog ever since I found out that my son would be going to the Tijuana Mexico Mission. He arrived in Mexico last November. Your words helped me to understand what he will/is experiencing. I doubt you know my son, Elder Mark Larsen (although I believe he was in Ensenada at the same time as you), but he, like you, is working hard to serve the Lord and to be an obedient servant as he shares the gospel. This particular blog post was so beautifully written (as all you blogs were) and I will truly miss reading about your mission experiences. I now that the Lord does know your heart and that he would tell you that you have done so much better than ok. I'm certain that your beautiful example and love of the people of Mexico have touched and changed lives and generations. I wish you the very best as you move on to your future endeavors, it is clear that you will continue to be a Christlike example to others and successful in whatever you choose. All the best to you and Thank You for sharing your mission experiences!
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