Oh the Places We Go...

I know many of you have seen this video before, but I just have to share it and add some of my thoughts with it.

I originally tried to write everything I felt about this video, which just ended up being impossible. Not only because my feelings are too difficult to describe, but also because they are just too personal and sacred to post. Here are some things I would like to share though.

-The first thing that came to my mind was the incredible sacrifice the members happily made in order to participate in this production. Being familiar with the economic situation of the areas involved, those beautiful costumes were most likely sewn in some loving members home, while all the travel expenses also came out of pocket. People sacrificed time away from work, a lot of money for travel, and a lot of time to prepare such an amazing even, all for the love of the gospel. It is amazing.

-Although I do not know any of the youth interviewed, the video reminded of all the other amazing young members I knew in Kiev. I remember being so impressed that so many of the young people, whether they had been members for 3 months or 10 years, were as knowledgeable and familiar with the details of the gospel as I was and I was a missionary. They are choice spirits for sure, prepared to lead God's church in an area of the world where strong leaders are so badly needed.

-One girl says this is a gathering of Israel. I love to tell people this because not many people know it, but, while I was in Kiev, the first Stake in the former Soviet Union was established. And in turn, all of these Russian speaking members were finally able to receive their patriarchal blessings (you cannot receive your patriarchal blessing in a language in which you are not fluent). Three patriarchs were called and travel around the former Soviet Union giving blessings and what they found is that members there are from the ten tribes of Israel. I knew a girl from the tribe of Gad. A missionary I taught in the MTC wrote home from Samara, Russia saying that in their little branch, there was a member from every single one of the 10 tribes. As I've thought about this new temple for the people of that northern region of the world, I've thought about how at last, the lost tribes, after thousands of years, have their temple. It is very significant.

-My mission, to me, was a HUGE event that influences me every single day of my life. However, watching this video, I see how my efforts there were just a little drop in the bucket of a much bigger work than I even could comprehend at the time. A member once said to me, "You missionaries go home and forget about all of us and move on with you lives." What this video shows me is that, we, missionaries don't forget. Those members are still apart of something so important and most of them I served with I'm sure have forgotten about me. We serve and give everything we've got, but the building up of the kindgom really is the Lord's work. And I was just one small person who was lucky enough to be tethered to that for a small moment. And I still feel connected. And I am so grateful for all of it.