Welcome Home!

I Arrived home on the 19th of September. It was great to see my family again. I was released the next day

Meeting my family at the airport in SLC

over the phone. We thought I would only be home for a month at the most, but one month has tuned into anther, then another. It was weird going to church without my name tag, or sleeping by myself in my own room. I felt like I was doing something wrong. I made my brother go downstairs with me when I first got home. I didn't know what was happening. Everyone talks about how Cache Valley smells like cows and chickens. I've never been able to notice it...Until I got home. Yup it stinks. It only bothered me for a day or two.

People often ask me when I'm going return to the the Maryland Baltimore Mission. My response is usually when the Lord wants me to. I really have no idea when I'm going to return. We all thought I was only going to be home for a month, now we are sitting at 4 and 1/2 Months of being home. I've had many blessings promising I will be healed and return to my mission. It's all in the Lord's hands.

I found this person on familysearch, then took him to
The Temple did all the work in ONE day! 

I also often get asked what I'm doing to stay busy. I usually say nothing much. People then give me a weird look and say something like "I'm surprised your dad isn't keeping you busy." Believe me it is hard not doing any thing.  I haven't been able to work or go to school. We never dreamed I would be home for so long. Having mono I cannot do  much. I don't have energy. I can do a little and then I have to go and sit down and rest. I don't feel like I the strength to get a job. I cannot go to school because I don't know when I'll be returning.  Only God knows when I'll return, I want to be ready to return when he is ready for me. So what have I been doing to keep busy besides Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter? The thing that has been keeping busy is by engaging in and loving FAMILY HISTORY! It is something that can easily be done while lying in bed or on the couch.  I've found over 70+ Names to be taken to the temple! Elder David A. Bednar, of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles said in the October 2011 General Conference: "I invite the young people of the Church to learn about and experience the Spirit of Elijah. I encourage you to study, to search out your ancestors, and to prepare yourselves to perform proxy baptisms in the house of the Lord for your kindred dead (see D&C 124:28–36). And I urge you to help other people identify their family histories. As you respond in faith to this invitation, your hearts shall turn to the fathers. The promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob will be implanted in your hearts. Your patriarchal blessing, with its declaration of lineage, will link you to these fathers and be more meaningful to you. Your love and gratitude for your ancestors will increase. Your testimony of and conversion to the Savior will become deep and abiding. And I promise you will be protected against the intensifying influence of the adversary. As you participate in and love this holy work, you will be safeguarded in your youth and throughout your lives."  I love how he said that our testimonies of the Savior will grown and we will have protection against the adversary. What an amazing promise. This has helped me out so much. This has keep me on the strait and narrow path. Satan works hard to try to keep young men from serving or in my case from returning to the mission field.  The promise from Elder Bednar is real. After I Find the names I will attend the Temple and do the work for MY ancestors.

(Source: LDS Church)

I have had the privilege of attending the temple at least weekly if not more. Attending the temple gives you spiritual strength. Worshiping in the temple blesses you both physically and spiritually. Attending the temple has really helped me feel peaceful and content with what is going on in my life right now. It helps me remember that God has a plan for me and he loves me.

Another thing that has keep me busy is by spending time with my Mother. It has really been a blessing to be home and getting to know her better. Before I left on my mission I wasn't home a whole lot. I was constantly running. Leaving early in the morning and getting home late at night.  I've been able to spend cherished time with her. I knew what everyone was getting for Christmas, I went shopping with her quite often (Even though I really don't like shopping).

My parents own a Landscape Construction Business. The Office is based out of our home. I've been able to help with some of the office work by answering phone calls, entering into the computer invoices and receipts, payroll and many other tasks.

I've also been able to spend time with my Dad. He drives a semi truck long haul during the winter. When I was younger I use to go with him often; so I was thrilled when I had the opportunity to go with him again. He was going to go up to Canada twice in one week. So I decided to go with him. It was an enjoyable trip. We were able to talk a lot about our missions and our experiences. It was a blessing to be able to spend time with him.

Background to Returning Home

Sister Richards, Me, and President Richards
(First Day in the Field)

I had been serving in the Maryland Baltimore Mission. I started my mission on July 3, 2013. I was scared to death, as I'm sure many others where. When I entered the MTC  I was thinking"What am I getting myself into?!?" I'd hate to admit this but I cried when I left my family at the curb that mid summer day. My escort took me to my first class and I have never regretted my decision to serve.

I have loved my mission, it has been such an amazing experience. I have had many hard times; while at the same time have had the best of times. I have really learned to trust in the Lord. It really is his work.

 I had the privilege to serve in four WONDERFUL areas before I got sent home on medical leave these are my areas:

1. Harper's Ferry, WV. From July-October 2013
2. Winters Run (Abingdon, MD and Bel Air, MD) October 2013-January 2014
3. Kent Island (Stevensville, MD and Chestertown, MD, "The Easter Shore") January 2014- June 2014
4. Woodstock, VA June 2014-September 2014

I have loved each and everyone of my areas. I have made some amazing friendships that I will cherish forever! I feel blessed to have known so many amazing people! I have been able to see many people enter the waters of baptism, and have seen people come and partake of the sacrament for the first time in many years. Both experiences are amazing and sacred. I love the feeling that comes as you witness both those miraculous events. I'm grateful for the blessing it has been to be an instrument in the Lords hands.

The Woodstock, VA. Missionaries at the Oriels Night 

August 29, 2014. The "Oriels Mormon Night"  All the missionaries in the mission and many members all attend the Baltimore Oriels baseball game! Its a hoot to say the least. Its a time for all the missionaries to get together and watch some baseball! Its such a fun time. However I was not having fun. I was starting to feel sick! It started with the normal aches, start of a fever, and all the dreaded feelings we all feel when we are starting a cold. I couldn't get sick. Too much to do, too little time. The next day I woke up exhausted! I felt like I got hit by a bus. I blamed it on being up late and getting up early. I took a nap during lunch and went on with life. All that week I was able to keep working, I just felt really tired. I just pushed though it thinking: "This is normal missionary exhaustion." I kept going. Until I hit a brick wall on Sunday, a week later. I was sitting at our amazing Ward Mission Leaders house having a weekly correlation; planning and coordinating our weekly efforts with him and the sisters in the ward.  Everyone looked at me and could tell something was wrong. They told me I needed to get help. I tried calling Sister Richards, she is over all medical issues in the mission, but got no answer. So I decided to go home and sleep; and boy did I do that! I got a hold of her the next day. She put me on bed rest, no shopping, no laundry, no preparation day activities to try and get better. She made my companion do everything for me. She told me to be a slave driver. I'm very grateful for a wonderful supportive companion.

E.R.'s are terrible! 

Jacob Ingham, Me, Elder Zaugg
They went out to work, while I stayed home and rested

Later that day I talked with the mission doctor on the phone and he decided to send me to an Insta-care. They took a strep test and then squeezed my finger as hard as they could to try and squeeze out a little blood to test for mono. Both were negative. They sent me home and told me I will be better soon. The next day I ended up in the Emergency Room. They were running more tests and trying to figure out why I felt awful and had no energy at all. They took several vials of blood. They tested for cancer, Lime disease, Mono, and many other diseases. Everything came back normal. So they sent me home and told me to get some rest. I continued to rest and stay home. My companion would go and work and I would stay and get babysat. We had a wonderful ward, they were very supportive and helpful. They would bring us dinners at night and scheduled many splits for us. They were a blessing. I feel very blessed to have been in the Woodstock, VA. Ward when I got sick. I don't know what I would have done without them. Jason Wright and Jerry Clipp,  members of the Woodstock ward keep my parents very updated, and supported us. They both made sure we were well taken care of. Jacob Ingam, a recently ordained  Elder was another HUGE help. He was such a blessing. As you can see in this picture, he was another missionary. He spent countless hours with us; making sure the work was not hindered with me being sick.

My AMAZING Companion

A week after I first went to the Insta-Care, we deiced to try one more doctor. I went and for the first time I really felt like she really wanted to help. She listed several symptoms and asked which of the symptoms I've


experienced while being sick. She then took more blood and tested for Mono again!! She said the results will not be back until Wednesday. So I waited, got the call and she said she diagnosed me with Mononucleosis. I talked with President Richards that night we both prayed about it and first thing the next morning we both decided it was best for me to go home. I really could not sleep that night. I was really stressed out. I didn't completely know what to do, but I did what I felt like God wanted me to do. Friday afternoon I boarded a plane for Salt Lake City, Utah not knowing what was in store for me.

Saying goodbye was a lot harder than I realized. I was sad; I was leaving what I loved. I was leaving dear friends. Don't get me wrong, I was excited to see my family and friends again. I was content with it because I knew with all my heart it was what the Lord wanted. That is all that matters. In "Preach My Gospel" it says: "Humility is willingness to submit to the will of the Lord and to give the Lord the honor for what is accomplished. It includes gratitude for His blessings and acknowledgment of your constant need for His divine help. Humility is not a sign of weakness; it is a sign of spiritual strength. When you humbly trust Him and acknowledge His power and mercy, you can have the assurance that His commandments are for your good. You are confident that you can do whatever the Lord requires of you if you rely on Him. You are also willing to trust His chosen servants and follow their counsel." 

(Credit: LDS Church)

That phrase keeps running though my head. It is the willingness to submit to the will of the lord. As I was on the airplane I talked with this couple, they, too, were members. They too had a daughter come home early from her mission. They were telling me to NEVER forget the Lord is aware of you and has a plan for YOU. That is something that is very important to remember, but easy to forget when "bad" things are happening.  No matter what goes on in life God is aware and is in charge. It may not go the way you planned or hoped. You just have to humbly trust him and know that it is for your benefit. Through the Atonement all that seems unfair in life can be made right. The Savior has gone though all things, there is no emotion he has not felt, there is no sickness he has not endured. He is there for each and everyone of us. Trials will come our way, as they have mine. We just have trust in him with all our heart. I love the scripture in Proverbs 3:5-6, it says: "Trust in the Lord will all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy path." I think that is also something that is important to always remember. We need to trust him. He knows best.