The Qualifying of the Unqualified

Once again-- I've put off writing this email until the last second.

So yet another hectic email? "Coming  riiiiiiiight up!"

So to be honest, my remarks on how my emails will be constructed tend to reflect on how the week has passed. Without fail, there's always something that takes a common theme of the week, or we have something going on all the time.

But every week that goes by, I begin to realize how much the remarks from my MTC President come to mind. He was asked at one time, how do you manage to fit everything into a schedule.

"You don't," he replied simply, "if you prioritize your tasks, everything that needs to get done, will."

So I've begun to learn throughout the course of my mission the purpose is less about 'doing everything' and more about 'doing everything you can'.

I couldn't look forward to the day of meeting my maker and saying to him, "I didn't do everything." However, I look forward to looking at my Father in Heaven and saying, "I did everything I could."

"For we labor diligently [...] to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do."
- 2 Nephi 25:23

This week has taken the theme of feeling inadequate and constant reminders that I am imperfect. In a positive lens, I am thankful for that since I learning the simple principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in a more personal and holy way.

Then a reminder of which God qualifies those he calls.

Last week, we had the announcement that transfers would be in two weeks from then, and we would find out that Saturday where everyone will be going.

I got a call from the Mission President the Friday night before, which tends to mean that you'll be getting a new assignment or some form of leadership adjustment.

I recall answering tentatively, "Good evening President!" Of which he replied with a greeting.

I don't know if he realized what a curve ball he was about to throw at me.

He began to discuss a request I had made to meet with a friend during midday of Preparation Day. Of which, he gave approval.

"Do what you need to do to keep the day productive. Either suggestions you said about adjusting your work hours will work."

"Okay. We'll plan on that."

"Also, as a precursor to transfer calls, we wanted to let you know you will be transferred down to Cyprus and if you would be willing to be the Branch President in South Nicosia."

AH! What in the world? Where did that come from!?

I recall my hands shaking and peering over at my companion, who overheard the conversation (what am I supposed to do? I didn't know it was going to go like that!), performing in silence all the shocked emotions I would have done if not for the phone in my ear.

Regardless to say this next transfer will certainly be an adventure and I'm really looking forward to the "qualifying" aspect of the "called" part of God's plan.

To be quite frank, I don't feel ready to do something like that; let alone, I was very content with keeping my mission experience simple after already having come home and returned. I mean, how much crazier can you go than that?

The irony of the entire situation, and as I've stated before, I write bullet points throughout the week so I can remember specific stories to write in my email. That is, if I remember to write the bullet points at all. But this week, I took the time to write this near the beginning of the week, far in advance of the call priorly mentioned.

I'll quote it, for simplicity's sake:

"Remember the hardship I had in Cyprus when I arrived and how bad I wanted to go back home. I didn't feel I fit in, I couldn't talk to anyone. I'm so glad I didn't quit.

I fear the person I would have been if I hadn't returned to my mission. Not because he would have been a bad person, but these last 6 months have changed my character. Imagining myself without that is not something I like to dwell on. I'm not perfect, not even close. But the desire to be better is kindled in my heart. And I love the missionaries."

To be frank, I don't even remember the context of which these two paragraphs came to mind. But I seem to remember the passionate feeling of it. I really am thankful for how much my character has begun to grow. The idea of serving in a calling in my home ward, such as in the young men's or something, scared me. Now the desire to be an instrument in God's hands is a blessing in of itself.

But I will be honest-- I am so frightened of this new assignment. I remember one of the first thoughts in my head after the call with the Mission President:

"Oh, I have to do ADULT things now!"

I don't know if I will do everything this calling asks.

But I do know I will work to speak to my Father in Heaven in prayer and say, "I did everything I could."

I've been meaning to study the New Testament recently, and I recently recall a remark made in Acts.

Peter and John are arrested, and are being questioned. As they are, the Sadducees remark,

"...they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus."

I don't think my situation compares to this at all. But I will take comfort in the fact that the original apostles were normal men. It was through the power of God they were made to do and testify of remarkable things.

Anywho, I'll see if I can take time next week to actually write about some of the events rather than the ramblings of a random Greek missionary.

I love you all, and I wish you the best of weeks-- God willing.

The weather is wonderful here, I cannot deny it! I am anticipating the HEAT though... We'll see what happens!

Elder Dylan Hansen