Mission Experience

Highs and Lows

Jack L. Brinkerhoff

A mission is strange experience,

A trial and a test,

A mission throws at you the worst,

Yet, Teaches you the best

                I’ve never been so happy,

                I’ve never been so depressed,

                I’ve never felt so forsaken,

                I’ve never been so blessed.

I’ve never been so confused,

Things have never been so clear,

I’ve never felt my Heavenly Father so distant,

He’s never been so near.

                I’ve never been so discouraged

                I’ve never been so full of hope,

                I feel I could go on forever,

                I’ve come to the end of my rope.

I’ve never had it quite so easy,

I’ve never had it quite so tough,

Things have never been so smooth

Things have never been so rough.

                I’ve never been through such a deep valley,

                I’ve never been to so high a peak,

                I’ve never felt so sure and strong,

                I’ve never felt so weak.

I never had so many ups,

I’ve never had so many downs,

I’ve never had so many smiles,

I’ve never had so many frowns.

                I’ve never been so lonely,

                I’ve never had so many friends.

                Boy! I hope this is over soon!

                Gosh! I hope it never ends!

~~~

Mission

-Author Unknown

As I stare out the window,

Tears still in my eyes,

I see the vision of those I love,

As we said our last goodbyes.

The flight was long and tiring,

As two questions plagued my mind,

Do I want the life that’s ahead of me,

Or the one I left behind?

You see twenty-four months is such a long time,

For going door-to-door,

In my reflection, I thought

There must be something more.

I struggled down off the plane,

Looking for a friendly face,

When a man called Pres. said:

Son, you’ve come to the right place!”

I sit reflecting once again,

As this day is my last,

Please, Lord, it isn’t fair,

The time went way too fast

As I stare out the window,

Tears still in my eyes,

I see the visions of those I love,

As we said our last goodbyes.

The flight was long and tiring,

As two questions plagued my mind,

Do I want the life that’s ahead of me,

Or the one I left behind?

~~~

To Our Missionary

Evelyn S. Grant

Courage, my son, and don’t forget,

That God is with you in every step.

You take for Him in a righteous cause,

Such as teaching His sacred and holy laws.

There are souls out there waiting to hear

The message you carry of faith and prayer;

Of a God who dwells in the heavens above,

And rules the world with the spirit of love.

Forget all worries and earthly care,

And put your soul in the message you bear.

Discouragement is always the devil’s tool

But show him quickly that you are no fool,

Get down on your knees in humble prayer;

God’s encouraging Spirit will meet you there.

There are souls out there in the mist and fog

Who are waiting for you and your message from God;

For He has love for each child that he owns,

And wants them back in His heavenly homes.

Be not discouraged, no matter how hard the way.

But deliver the message God wants you to say.

~~~

The Lord, my companion and me

Lula Anderson

The Lord, my companion and me,

Are a great combination, we three;

For where He would lead us we go willingly,

The Lord, my companion and me.

The Lord, my companion and me,

Have a work that is endless, you see.

For the good, honest soul must be gathered we’re told By the Lord, my companion and me.

The Lord, my companion and me

Must pull as a team, constantly.

If we would have power, we will remember each hour It’s the Lord first, my companion, then me.

~~~