Last week was one
of the most difficult weeks of my life. I received a new area, and a new
companion. I felt like I was leaving home all over again. I left the branch I
had grown to love, the people that I had taught, and the friendships I had
made. It was extremely hard, and I thought quite a while about why I am out
here, and what I am doing.
I was struggling
for a couple days, specifically Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday morning we went
to President's training and interviews in Singen, about a 2 hour train ride
from my area. We showed up and were chatting with the other missionaries when
someone said, "Elder Hadfield, there's a package for you here!" I
looked and saw Sister Byington's name on the package and was really intrigued.
What in the world was Sister Byington sending me a package for? I learned that
my package had been delayed for quite some time in the German Post system's
center. They were going through the package and what not to make sure it was
safe. I went through the training and my interview, and put my package in my
bag and we went back to our apartment. Once we were back to the apartment, I
opened the package and immediately realized it was a Christmas package! I pulled
out the ties and hats to begin with and had a good laugh. I pulled out the
candy and the bleach pen that would immediately be used on my white shirt I
wore that day.
But then, what I
pulled out next was one of the most precious things to my heart, and something
I will never forget. I turned the package over and out fell several letters.
Letters from the Primary children, young men and young women, and my leaders
who I look up to as Priesthood men. I remember crying tears of such great joy.
I had been praying and praying and felt like I was receiving no answers and no
love. It was frustrating. As I read those letters from the people whom I love,
I received answers to my prayers. I felt more loved than I have in a long time.
I felt the love of my ward members wrapped around me like the Savior's arms. It
is amazing to see the ways the Lord works. He would let a Christmas package be delayed
for two weeks or more, so it could get to me the day I most needed it. I
realized what an inspired idea this was and grateful Klarise followed through.
I'm grateful to you more than I can express. I want to share my love with you
along with my testimony that I know that missionary work is the most rewarding
work on this earth. I could not be happier doing what I am doing. I know the
Lord loves each one of us and is looking out for us, even if we don't feel He
is. I know this Church is true. I love sharing that each and everyday. As His
special representative, I bear that witness. Thank you for being tools in the
Lord's hands! I love you.
Elder Sam
Hadfield
Friedrichstrasse
26
77654 Offenburg
Germany
Things to Remember When
You're Transferred – From Dad January 25, 2015
1. It's okay to miss the
area you left. As you connect with members and investigators in an area,
you learn to love them and to feel the love Heavenly Father has for them.
That makes it hard to leave and say goodbye. When you said goodbye to us,
you knew there would be a reunion. With some of these people on your
mission, there's an uncertainty about whether you will see them again.
That makes the goodbyes even harder. It's okay to miss them and even to
mourn a little bit when you say goodbye.
2. The mission
president's keys allow him to receive revelation about where Heavenly Father
wants you to serve. That's the way Heavenly Father gets you in the right
spot at the right time to meet the people whose lives you need to touch.
When we trust in the keys the mission president uses to do transfers, we are
trusting in Heavenly Father's ability to get us where he needs us. That
means, in addition to a sadness about saying goodbye, there is also an excited
anticipation for the new opportunities Heavenly Father has for you.
3. Every area needs
building. So, when you arrive you will sense immediately how much there
is to do. This does not mean the missionaries who left didn't do a good
job. It means there is always more work to do to build Heavenly Father's
kingdom. Don't let the fact there is a lot of work to do discourage
you. It doesn't have to all be done the first day in this new area.
Take it one thing at a time. Step by step you will be able to better
establish the Church in this new area. Your goal should be to leave that
area stronger than when you arrived. I served in 4 areas on my mission
and it seemed to me we were starting over in each area. That might have
been more about me because I was new and starting over there.
4. Don't let what you've
heard about an area be your only source about what that area is all
about. Area's get reputations just like people get reputations.
Sometimes our reputations are not deserved, and neither is an area's. And
sometimes our reputation may be well-founded but it holds us back from being
able to change, and so can an area's reputation. Go in ready to see this
new area with a new perspective. Respect the information you receive from
missionaries who have been there. Their experience certainly counts for
something. But don't be afraid to look at things differently. If
the area is going to grow in ways it hasn't before, it will probably require
new and better ways of working and changing the perception about that
area.
5. Each area has it's
strengths and weaknesses, just like we do as people. Spend most of your
time being grateful for the strengths. Heavenly Father sent you there to
have experiences you will never forget and those experiences will be etched in
your mind in the scenes from that area. So, be grateful for the time Heavenly
Father has given you to learn to love that area and the people in it.
6. Everywhere you go,
lift and build. Heavenly Father sent you to build the kingdom. The
way you build something is to be positive, to recognize the positive in others
and in your circumstances there. Help people to see how good they are as
children of Heavenly Father and how much better they can be if they give
themselves fully to the Savior.
7. It seems that going
to a new area, not knowing anyone, can lead to feelings of loneliness.
This can lead to feelings of homesickness. The cure for that is to deepen
your friendship with your companion and the members. If you can remember
to smile and laugh - even if it's not your true feeling, deep down, it may
brighten your entire day/week/month.
8. Remember that you can
do hard things. You were called to go do hard things. Heavenly
Father will stand by your side through those hard things. And the hard
things will teach you incredible lessons. Don't be afraid to face hard things.
Square your shoulders and do your best. President Hinckley's Dad's advice
is timeless, "Forget yourself and go to work." As you get to
work, you discover the good and the things you can do to make it better.
As you work on those things, you will feel better and better about this new
place Heavenly Father has given you to serve.
9. If suggestions 1-8
don't work, then drop your pants and slide on the ice. In other words,
don't lose your sense of humor.
