Homeward Bound

 Oddly enough, this will be the last time that I have to apologize for my very infrequent email updates. I've had a lot of time to think and reflect over what I would write here and what I would like to express. There isn't anything that I can say to fully convey the wonder, the joy, and the love that I've felt as I've done my best to serve the Lord. But, there's one thing that I can say. I will never be able to thank my Father in Heaven enough for this experience.

These last 6 weeks have been the spiritual climax of my mission. Elder Umoh and I got along incredibly well, and we accomplished many amazing things, even though we were there for roughly 4 weeks. He is such a kind and sweet guy, just wanting to do the right thing in the right way. I learned very much from him.

Lakota brought me a whole new perspective of Côte d'ivoire. Wherein Abidjan is often full of constant noise, obnoxious clubs, and endless cars, Lakota was a distinct and almost opposite difference in many aspects. Being a smaller village, it was always calm and quiet, essentially free of distractions. The people were also incredibly nice and welcome, no matter who they were.

These few factors, along with many others, allowed the Spirit to be completely unrestricted in our labor. This was something I had searched for my entire mission, but only found in Lakota. No matter what we were doing, whether it was teaching, finding, studying, or simply walking, the Spirit guided us and testified of the gospel time after time after time.

Even though there were many difficulties such as sicknesses, weather, the fact that over ⅔ of the village was gone on vacation, and various other challenges, we still were able to push forward, and the Lord opened our minds and hearts to how truly incredible work can be. I'm so grateful for the blessing that I had to serve in that wonderful area, even if it was for a short time. 

It often brings me to tears thinking about how much I've been blessed in my life, especially on my mission.

Fast forward a bit. Monday arrived, and it was a blur. We had lunch, interviews, and a testimony meeting with President and Sœur Lewis. It was wonderful. I was able to feel a love and joy very deeply during that time. Then, we left and went to the airport.

As the plane took off from Côte d'ivoire, I had a really strange feeling in my chest. I've left once before, and then I internally knew I was coming back. This time though, as we flew away, a piece of me stayed. Now I know that can be cheesy or cliche or whatever, but that's the most accurate way to describe what I felt. I've come to love the people on my mission so much, but especially the people in the Côte d'ivoire. I love them so much, and will miss them.

I'm currently on my last flight home as I finish writing this. After waiting in endless lines, sprinting from gate to gate, sleepless hours on long flights, and being a little bit sick (pretty sure one of the first inflight meals messed me up), I can finally focus more on what I want to say.

What I wrote is similar things to what I said in my last email, so pardon me please if some things are repeated.

The mission field is one of the greatest learning experiences that this life can offer, an opportunity to serve God by literally representing His Son. So many people have testified of the power of this experience, and how it changed their lives. I add my testimony to that. In most ways I don't know how it has changed me. I know that logically, I have changed, and when I'm home in a little bit here everyone's gonna think "wow, he's changed so much," even though I don't observe those changes in myself.

I do know one thing that has changed though, and will change my life forever. Before I left, I was a good person. I tried to help others, I tried to learn and progress in the gospel, and I had a small testimony of the church and that it was true. It wasn't much, but it was good. To have taken someone like me, who had such a small vision for what the gospel was, for how a mission would be, and understanding of what my purpose was, and have showed me what I've seen on my mission, I'll be forever grateful. My eyes have been opened to the joy of the gospel.

I have been so blessed, much, much more than I feel I deserve. I have seen people's lives change as a result of living the gospel. I have been blessed to be guided to people that I know have specifically needed me. I have learned a language, and I completely attribute that gift to be from God. My understanding of the scriptures has been enlightened, and I've been able to serve amongst the most wonderful saints and missionaries. I have been blessed with and grown a love for the people of Texas and Côte d'ivoire, this great work, and the Lord.

There are so many more blessings than what I've listed above, but that does in no way mean that there weren't any difficulties. Hô, y'en avait plein même. Many times I've been really sick. Uncertainty and changes of plans have been a part of every period of my mission. I've had moments when I've thought "am I even making any difference in anyone's life right now?" or "is it possible that I can continue?"

Just as with the blessings, there have been so many trials and hardships that have made things difficult for me, and sometimes really pushed my limits. But, in every situation that has done so, the Lord has always been there, lifting me up, guiding my steps, and helping all along the way. Somehow, the Lord has blessed me through the good and the bad experiences. I have learned so much thanks to Him.

The most important thing that I learned and greatest takeaway for me is the knowledge and testimony of my Savior that I've developed. He really is the Son of God. He really did die for us, and take upon himself our sorrows, weaknesses, and afflictions. I have a personal testimony that through Him, we can change, and become like Him. We can receive the remission of our sins through Him and return to live with our Father in Heaven again.

All these blessings that He gives us freely came at an unspeakable price: the infinite suffering of an innocent and perfect Son. He who always did what was right and spent all of his days in the service of others, was the one that had to suffer for us. He sacrificed everything that He had and everything that He was for us. Us who make mistakes. Who sin. Who are fallen and carnal. If anyone deserved the blessings of a holy and infinite sacrifice, it wasn't us.

Yet, he did it. For everyone. For me and for you. It is a gift that we will never be able to repay and a blessing we will never be worthy of. He did it purely out of his love for us: something that I will never fully understand, or be able to thank my Father in Heaven for.

I stand all amazed.

I will be forever grateful for the opportunity that I had to represent Him and learn of Him this closely. This experience has changed my life forever. I'm happy to come home, but sad to be released. Even though this moment in my life is at the end, my discipleship is not. The mission has set me on an incredible path that I will never leave. Although my time as a full time representative of Christ is up, I pray that my service to Him, and my future as one of His disciples is never ever over for me. I'm excited to see how I can serve Him and others after the mission.

I love this gospel, and I love the mission that I was able to serve in Côte d'ivoire, and in Texas. I testify that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ did appear to Joseph Smith, and revealed to him how to restore Christ's true church. The Lord leads it today through a living prophet. I testify that Christ does live, and because He does, we will too someday. He loves us.

I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Elder Lyman