Wow, it's been a while since I last posted. Life gets busy!
This past Tuesday I had the opportunity to take one of my friends up to Hartford, Connecticut where we were able to see the temple. He is someone that is very special to me. I was visiting my family in New Jersey and I heard that he was in New York! I knew I had to visit him.
So, we decided to go on a road trip to Connecticut to go see the temple. My friend (his name is Mark), and I were catching up and spending time talking to each other when I flashed back to a mission experience.
He's originally from Manti, one of the areas that I served in on my mission. I met him on one of the temple walks that my companion and I used to take. We met on the temple grounds and stayed friends.
The reason I bring this up is because I have mentioned before how difficult that area was for me. I thought about why I loved it so much. Missionary work there was almost impossible as most of the people there are members of the Church. And at the beginning of my first six-week transfer up there, my companion and I got into a car accident which hindered how much work we could do in a given day. Even though this was a very trying time in my mission life, I look back on these times with fondness and happiness.
Why you may ask?
Because I wasn't alone.
Now, that may sound stupid or crazy; of course I wasn't alone. I had another guy with me 24/7! I was never alone as a missionary!
But during times of trial, sometimes people feel like the heavens are closed or God isn't aware of what they are struggling with. I have felt that way myself sometimes. But as a missionary serving in Central Utah in 2016 far away from my family and friends, I did not feel that way. Not only because of the wonderful people that live there that are just plain awesome, but I knew that my Heavenly Father was aware of me too.
So, for those of you that may be struggling, remember: You Are Not Alone. You have a God that loves you and that is aware of you. You have friends and family to turn towards. You have people that are willing to serve you. You are never alone.
This is the Hartford temple. It's beautiful!
