Dear friends and family,
The last few weeks, the
Spirit has instructed me that I needed to write another blog. After attending a
wonderful mission reunion and General Conference, I feel that the time has come
to do so.
To start off, I would like
to tell you of the experience I had Friday night, when I had the wonderful
opportunity of attending a mission reunion here in Provo. I was so excited to
attend beforehand that I even dreamed about days before; my hopes regarding the
reunion were not only fulfilled but exceeded beyond measure. It is hard to
express the joy I felt as I saw many of previous colleagues, who I had not seen
in quite a long time. Undoubtedly, there is a deep love that is created with
any individual who you have the honor of serving with. And, “what added more to
[my] joy…[is that] they [are still] my brethren in the Lord” though we no
longer be full-time missionaries (Alma17:3).
I have to be honest that
coming home has held some challenges, not because of a lack of blessings or
wonderful friends, but because of a longing to serve as I did as I missionary.
In the first few weeks I was home, I was strongly craving for a calling, a home
teaching assignment, or something. So, with that problem in mind I approached
the Lord and prayed sincerely for an opportunity to serve, and I got answers
all about in a day. I got a text asking me to teach Gospel Doctrine last week,
which I accepted of course, a text giving me a home teaching assignment, and
text informing me I had an interview with a high councilman, wherein I was
called to be a counselor of an Elder’s Quorum presidency (I say “an” because
there is more than one in the ward). I felt prompted as well that I should
pursue being a temple worker as well, and I have started the process for that
to be possible. You could say that my prayer was answered. Haha.
This last day as I attended
conference I heard words both said and unsaid that I wish to share with you. I
have learned that although I no longer wear a name tag upon my chest, that I
still wear one within my chest upon my heart. I too have learned that I can still serve
the Lord and His children, though I no longer be on my mission. And, I have
learned that though where I reside, what I do, and the language I speak is
different than before, that He still cares about me nonetheless. Indeed, He
cares about all of us no matter what phase we may be in within our mortal
journey. I suppose you could say that I learned that I still matter to Him.
Something Elder Cook said
earlier also resonated with me that I wish to bring to your attention. He said
something to the effect of: “Our time on Earth is very short, much like a
British summer.” I cannot tell you how many times I heard the same thing
regarding my mission over the course of the two years that I was away from home.
My mission president, return-missionaries, and many others always said that I
would be home before I knew it, that my mission in other words would end up
just feeling like a dream. During the many times that I heard those words,
though I did not believe that it was untrue, I lacked the perspective necessary
to really understanding what it meant. Now that I am home and see my mission in
the rearview mirror of the ever-moving vehicle of time, I understand what they
meant. I think perhaps, that we won’t understand what Elder Cook said earlier
until our time on Earth is over. But, though we may not completely understand
the words he stated earlier, it does not make them any less true.
Something that brings me
great joy at this time in my life is knowing whole-heartedly that I did my very
best during the course of my two-year mission in the Philippines. It gave me
great confidence and joy in reporting my mission to the high council, to my
stake president, and to my family. Though I was not perfect, I was perfect at
trying to be exactly obedient and serve the Lord to the best of my abilities.
How much joy will we feel if we end our mortal missions knowing the same? I can
only imagine reporting our lives to those that will judge us there, and being
able to feel the same type of peace -- that will be heaven.
I am grateful beyond
measure for my wonderful mission, and the many friends that I have now that
span both the country and the world. And, I am grateful as well that I have
this wonderful opportunity to be educated at BYU. I am enjoying it thoroughly
so far, and I know that this is where the Lord wants me to be at this time.
There is one more thing
that I wish to share with you as well, something that is and has been a great
source of peace to me. One day, in the last cycle of my mission, I was
pondering the fast-approaching day of my departure with a cocktail of feelings
that many of you may understand. I thought within myself, “I will miss being a
missionary.” However, just when that entered my mind, another did with it:
“This is not your last mission.” For that, I am joyful, and it is my goal to
always be worthy of a call to be a full-time missionary again when the time
arrives.
I know now more than ever
that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true. I know that the
Book of Mormon is true, and because of that fact I also know that Joseph Smith
was the prophet of the Restoration, the one eluded to throughout the
scriptures. And, above all, I know that Jesus is the Christ; I know that He
lives and loves us all, no matter who we may be. That will always be true.
Love,
Brandon (Elder Pulley)
President and Sister Rahlf with Brandon (Elder Pulley) |
Brother and Sister Armstrong |
Brandon and Daniel (Elders Pulley and Kane) |
President and Sister Jones |
Brandon, Riley, and Brandon (Elders Pulley, Olsen, and Navarro) |
Gabriel, Kimball, Daniel, Brandon, Anna, and Jessica (Elders Frei, Russel, Kane, Pulley and Sisters Allen and Stokes) |