Hello everyone. I'm new to this blog idea, it's something I've never done, but it seems to be the "in" thing to do, so I thought I'd hop on the bandwagon and start my own. I figured I might be able to accomplish some good while I'm here, so here I go.
My name: Sam Emery. Age: 21 (at the time of this post). I'm the oldest of eight, I attend Brigham Young University, and I just completed a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I served in the Ohio Cleveland Mission, Spanish speaking. I was one of the few Spanish speakers, so that was a privilege. Since that was the most recent thing I've done and a huge part of my life, I might reference it a bit frequently. Bear with me, I'm still going through the adjustment phase.
Most people ask what it was like coming home to everything after two years of normalcy abstinence. If it's just an offhand question I usually give an offhand answer. The truth is that it was something of an ordeal, but in a good way. I knew that it was coming, so I braced myself, and it's been going really well so far. It was a definite time of change. Imagine living a routine for two years, where everything is structured and planned for two years, and then suddenly being thrust back into the real world and left to fend for yourself. You know the who, what, where, and why, and then it all changes in about 12 hours. All too often we (the RMs) find ourselves wondering what on earth we are supposed to be doing. It's an excitingly terrifying transition. For me, I found that since I left, everything that could have changed did. And I do mean everything, from my likes and dislikes to family and friends and even to my outlook on life. I still wonder what it is that I'm supposed to be doing with myself at times, but it's gotten better. I think that coming to BYU right away was one of the greatest decisions that I've ever made. It's made the transition that much smoother.
Truly, I've been blessed more that I really deserved. Blessings for faithful missionary service were always promised, and I assumed that they were just part of the package. Little did I know how many I would receive in abundance. When I got home I literally had nothing. I had three suits,a ton of ties, two changes of normal clothes, a trip to school planned, and I was broke. Within a week I had an apartment, clothes (and lots of them, thanks to a benevolent Grandma and some assistance from my stylish cousin in law), money, books, classes, and everything I was going to need to make it though the summer. I was worried about the social transition and whether I would be able to make it through the post-mission awkwardness, but that melted away pretty quick (I think). Sure it was really hard for the first week or two, but since then I've been riding high. Life has been great. I love my Heavenly Father for all he has done for me, and I hope that I can somehow continue my service for him. I need those blessings and I know for sure that he will grant them.
I won't say that I just love being here with all my heart. It's been four weeks since I got back, and every single day I wish I could go back to the Spanish branch in Cleveland and just be a missionary again. It's not that I'm desperate. I do love being home again. But there was nothing like being a missionary that I've ever experienced. It was just a constant feeling of satisfaction. I knew that I was exactly where the Lord wanted me to be, and that was a really comforting thing. We were doing exactly what the Lord wanted us to do, and we were making a difference in somebody's life. What could be better than that? It was an amazing experience, and it really did miracles for me as well.
But, home I am. And now that I'm done bearing my soul, I'm going to go watch the world cup. Thanks for visiting.
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