Thankful for the missionaries!

This past Saturday I ran into the elder that baptized me while I was at the temple. It was a tender mercy to run into him, to be able to catch up and tell him how good I was doing, and to be back in the presence of someone so important in my life.
I was reminded of how thankful I am to be a convert into the church, and to have found the missionaries!
 

Elder Anderson and I at the Denver Temple

 
I love the missionaries. Every time I run into an elder or a sister that I haven't met yet I go out of my way to introduce myself and I make sure I tell them "I am a convert!" Most of the time they get excited, and I don't always get funny looks. (:
Missionaries sacrifice 1 1/2 to 2 years of their life to serve the Lord. They leave the comfort of their homes, their families and friends, and all worldly things to dive deep into the gospel and help bring people like me to the truth. They experience harsh opposition, rejection, and rude-ness, and yet are able to find miracles every day as they watch the gospel change the lives of those they teach. Without the help of the elders who came to my door back in December, I would be lost, these guys have changed my whole life. Obviously, I have Christ and His atoning sacrifice to thank for the real change of heart I have been given, and I have my Heavenly Father and the spirit to thank too, but these missionaries really did save a life by coming to Colorado to share the gospel.

Elder Pedro and I on Mothers Day

I truly believe with every ounce of my being that Elder Anderson and Elder Pedro were brought to Colorado Denver North Mission to come and teach me. For two years the Lord had been preparing me to accept the gospel, and when I was ready, the elders came to my door, just to find little broken me. I was in a rough spot. I had a broken heart and a contrite spirit and I was searching for something real to bring the light back into my life. I knew right away I was ready for baptism when they came and taught me the first lesson. The spirit was so strong I couldn't deny it.

Elder Anderson and I before his transfer back in March

Today, I write a quick little post to thank the missionaries that have came into my life. I have gained friendships that I never knew I could, and have grown to love these crazy guys. I found trust, because they are the Lords people, and without them being at my side, I cant be sure my conversion far would be this solid.

Elder Pedro, me and Elder Fadika at Smart Cow having frozen yogurt before Fadika's transfer

I have two lovely friends leaving for their missions in the upcoming months. Not growing up in this culture, it is a bit of a shock to know that for 18-24 months, I wont be seeing them. No movie nights or uplifting, random text messages of encouragement and love. I have never really known someone to go off on their mission, nor have I ever been present for the process.
In a couple of weeks I will attend the farewell talk given by Dibe, who leaves for her mission in riverside California. My first temple trip was with this girl, and in 4 months I have watched her transform into such an incredible example, and the Lord made a wise choice calling her to serve.
In September I will say good bye to my buddy Ammon, as he leaves to serve in the Las Vegas West mission. In all my life I have never met anyone as humble, brilliant and flat out amazing, and seeing Ammon leave will be such a bitter sweet moment! I am so proud of my friends for their choice to listen to the Lord and to serve our king.

I am so blessed to have a church so strong in missionary work. God has a divine plan and his work IS hastening. This gospel is an incredible blessing in my life, and without the examples I have been given, I don't know where I would be. Today my heart is with the missionaries around the world, I pray they will have an abundance of the spirit, and be led to the people the Lord has prepared for them. I have a testimony of missionary work, and today I express my deep gratitude for their sacrifice.