Cauayan Philippines' Mission : Final Blog

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)