A Two Year Dream

Thus has ended my two year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. These past two years has felt simply like a dream. It slipped right by and before I knew it, here I am at home typing my "concluding" mission entry. It feels like yesterday, December 9, 2009 that I typed my first entry as a full time missionary, and within that span of time, I have seen many miracles and amazing things happen. I served my last year in two areas, and they became my two favorite areas. Kaneohe 3/6, and Lihue Kaua'i. The Kaneohe 3/6 area was such a terrific area and I truly learned how to love others, and how to develop charity towards my fellow brethren. I served 7 months in the Lihue ward, where I found many people who became like my family.
My whole mission was filled with people who would change my life, and I hope that I have changed theirs. When I first began, the hardest thing I did was to say goodbye to my family and leave 19 years of my life behind. Now after two years, the hardest thing I had to do was say goodbye to my other family in Hawai'i. To put the official stamp on my last entry I would like to post lyrics to a song titled "The Hardest Thing I've Ever Loved To Do"

The hardest thing I ever loved to do
was letting go of everything I ever knew
nineteen years of dreams left in my room
as I buttoned up the jacket of my suit
The hardest word I’ve ever loved to say
was goodbye to my mom and walk away
choking on my tie and on my tears
as I walked down the hall into those years
the sweetest song I’ve ever loved to sing
filled the MTC on angel’s wings
the chorus filled my soul 5000 strong
and I wished it would just go on and on
the firmest hand I’ve ever loved to shake
was my trainer’s with that big grin on his face
he grabbed my bag and put his arm ‘round me
and whispered
"I’m gonna work those Mr. Macs right off your feet"
The hardest words I’ve ever anguished for
came just before some lady slammed her door
my trainer left me hanging out to dry
ans a minute of painful silence rolled right by
but the hardest tears I ever loved to cry
fell as I opened up my mouth and testified
between the tiny walls of a stranger’s living room
the Spirit told their hearts my words were true
the most wonderful sound I’ve ever heard
is the sound of water running in the church
as someone I’d come to love got dressed in white
my eyes saw their first glimpse of Heaven’s light
the hardest thing I’ve ever come to see
is a man down on his knees in agony
a drop of blood falls down on olive leaves
and for a moment he suffers there for me
the hardest thing I’ve ever loved to do
was getting on this plane and coming home to you
in a million ways completely torn apart
as a land so far away still owns my heart
in the most sincere prayer I’ve ever prayed
I thank my God for each and every day
for the blessing of the man I’ve come to be
as I walk up and kiss my mama’s cheek.

I am so grateful for the time I had to serve, and I know that God lives and He sent His son Jesus Christ to prepare a way for us to return to live with Him. I promise all of you if you follow His teachings and His commandments, you truly will be taken care of. I know this for a fact!!! I love this gospel and Jesus Christ. Mele Kalikimaka!!

P.S. Don't worry, I'll still be doing a blog :)