It's been just about two months since we left the beautiful island of Hawaii. We've heard the same questions over and over. Do you miss Hawaii? How is it to be home? Are your kids happy to be back? Are you ready to go back? My answer is, we are all so happy to be home! Yes, we'd like to go back but not for awhile, we love Idaho. We are enjoying the comforts of life: our dishwasher, air conditioner, more space, our yard, and many more little things we missed while we were away.
Hawaii was a great experience that we'd never trade for anything. The mission was so amazing with many sites to see and we learned a great deal about the culture too. At the same time though, it was difficult in so many ways. As we neared the end and began to analyze all that we'd been through we had a realization that we've changed a lot. Before we left we had an exit interview with our stake president. He asked us two questions. What are the top 3 things we learned from our service? How has this experience strengthened our marriage?
It was interesting that he chose these questions because we had been discussing these two questions at different times throughout the month of May. We were preparing for the interview without even knowing it. I've written all about what I've learned in my personal journal and there are stories that I want to keep personal. But I do want to share the three things I learned here.
The top three things I've learned are:
1-I will never please everyone. I never need to worry about what others think of me; I only need to strive to live my life in a manner that pleases the Lord.
2-A better understanding of true humility. When we can really personalize the love our Father in Heaven has for us and the how atonement affects all aspects of our life we realize we are nothing without them it helps us stay humble. It's okay to have confidence in ourselves and the fact that we are on our way to exaltation. But, we must be doing all that we can to live our life for the Lord and see that only through Christ's Atonement will we ever have a chance to return. He is the only way to overcome Satan in our lives.
3-I can do more than I ever thought I could but only through the help of the Savior. At a point while we were in Hawaii I was so overwhelmed with every part of life and I didn't know if I'd ever feel good about anything again. But, through a lot of prayer and in the Lord's time I finally felt like myself again but stronger.
Overall I understand better how much the Lord is there in my life, in our marriage, and in our family. He is everywhere all the time. The only way to realize this is to open the door we put up between ourselves and Him. We all chose to come here and live. Heavenly Father gave us the agency to choose for ourselves while we are here. The Lord isn't going to invade our life to show us he's there because that would take that gift of agency away. The only way to see His hand in our life is to look for it.
While in Hawaii, any effort I put into seeking Him out was returned with peace, help, comfort, or anything else I needed at the time. I'm grateful for the knowledge I gained while away. I know it will help me throughout my life. I'm grateful for the opportunity we had to serve and hope to do better to live my life in a way that is pleasing to my Father in Heaven.
