Reflection Time with Dr. Drew

Dear Fellow Patients,

I know that it has been a while since my last letter.  I have been trying to think of something to write that would delight my patients.  Today as I was reading a church conference talk I knew what my next subject to address would be.  So here it is, I hope that yall with enjoy this as much as I enjoy yall.

I would like to talk about a subject that is very close to my heart.  It is a subject that is probably close to many of my patients hearts as well.  The subject is Missionary work. Missionary work has been a huge part of my life.  My family is a group of converts.  I am very thankful for the missionaries that taught my family the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.  As a young boy I decided that serving a mission was something that I longed for.  For those who are not of my faith let me first explain what a mission is.  In our church young men and women have the opportunity to serve a mission for our church.  For young men they can go when they turn 19 and serve for two years.  For young women they can go when they turn 21 and serve for a year and a half.  You are told where you will be serving and it can be anywhere in the world speaking any language. So now that we have that settled lets return to memory lane.  From a very early age I can remember the feeling of excitement when I thought about serving a mission.  I remember watching the missionaries in my ward, and dreaming of the day that I would get to wear a name tag.

As I started to get older this dream started to get closer and closer.  Once I graduated high school I felt like my dream was oh so close.  I had a countdown of when I could submit my mission papers and I prayed that it would come quickly.  

On December 12th 2006 I submitted my missionary papers.  I remember walking out of the Stake President's office with joy in my heart.  On December 29th 2006 I received my missionary call.  With my family all around me I announced that I would be serving in the Oregon Eugene Mission.  I also learned that I would be required to learn the Spanish language.  What joy I felt that day.  I remember going to sleep that night and feeling so close the the prophet of the church who had issued my call.  

On April 4th 2007 I entered the Missionary Training Center.  I said my goodbyes to friends, family including one of the missionaries who baptized my mother.  I remember the feeling of sadness I had when I left them behind, but I also remember the immediate joy as I walked down the stairs with all the new missionaries.

My dream had come true.  I was a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Shortly after entering the MTC I began to feel unworthy of being there.  I thought that I was not good enough to have the blessing of serving the Lord.  I decided that I would talk to my Branch President.  As I talked to him he smiled and said, "Elder you have told me everything about your life and I know that you are worthy to be here, and if I was a mission president  I would love to have you as one of my missionaries."  I felt better.  I felt happy again.  Then not long after the same feeling returned.  It got so bad that I could not eat and it was hard to sleep at night.  I was constantly worrying about my worthiness.  I went to the District President.  He told me to talk to him about everything I though I had ever done wrong.   I talked to him about everything that I had done wrong since I could first remember.  He told me the same thing my Branch President told me.  The feeling would not go away though.  I had to return home because  I had made myself sick because I worried too much.

My dream was gone.  I remember the sad feeling I had as I approached my father at the airport.  For months I struggled with being home.  I was scared of what people thought, and how they judged me.

I still hurt when I see pictures of missionaries, because I wish I had the chance to serve for two years.  I know now that it was not my fault and that I can be a missionary all of my life.  I am thankful for the roommates that I had out in Idaho that helped me realize this.  I am thankful for a loving Bishop that called me to be his secretary, because this gave me an opportunity to serve and learn about the church.  I know that the Lord lives, and that he has a plan for each of us.  I know that missionary work is very important in our lives.  I know that the restored church of Jesus Christ is on the earth today.  I am grateful for the opportunity I had to learn the Spanish Language.  I would like to bear my testimony in Spanish. I do not know how to do accent marks on the computer so please forgive me.  Se que JesuCristo vive. creo en el Libro de Mormon. Estoy agradecido por mi familia.  Jose smith fue y es un profeta de dios.  creo en el poder de oracion. En el nombre de JesuCristo amen.

I know that this post is not usual for Dr. Drew but I felt like sharing this. 

thanks

Dr. Drew