Map Re-do

 When a missionary enters the Missionary Training Center in Provo Utah, one usually takes their picture pointing at their mission on a giant map. I either didn’t remember to do it or simply never had the opportunity. I was only there for 12 days when the norm was at least 14 if not longer due to learning languages. I remember walking by the map, but there were so many Elders and Sisters there that it was quite overwhelming. Crowds were everywhere constantly. It’s amazing that anyone knew where to go. Anyways, when I arrived to Washington, my first area was Richland in the Tri-Cities. At my Zone Leader’s abode there was a huge map. They stayed in the basement of a member family named the Ostlers. They are well known and extremely successful. Their large house was impressive. You’ll definitely see more of their house on this blog as far as the missionary section. I had many fun days there on Preparation days and exchanges with the Elders. At certain times missionary companionships will switch around for the day to shake things up and offer opportunities for training and support. 

Here at the Ostler’s giant map, four months into my mission, I finally got my “MTC” photo :)

2018 - A NEW YEAR

Dear beloved family and friends, the end of 2017 is upon us and the prospect of the new year is ahead.

At this time of year more than any other, we celebrate the birth and life of a man who changed our world forever. This man's name is Jesus Christ.

No living man has been more hated. No living man has been mocked, reviled or rejected as this man because He claimed to be the son of God. 

Jesus Christ was a humble man. Born to a carpenter and a virgin in a stable, Jesus grew to become the most profoundly influential leader that this world has ever known. 

He taught. He lived. He healed. He encouraged. He persevered. He served. He loved. He died, but He lived again.

He is our perfect example.

Because this humble man with a divine mission chose to come to our world and serve, we have the opportunity to live a life like He did. We can choose to have hope in life after death and of being with our loved ones again. 

He loves me and knows me by name. I owe everything to him. As we move into the new year let us take a moment to reflect on this incredible man and strive to remember Him always. 

My hope is that you feel the spirit of God and that the love of our Savior may touch your heart.

I know these things to be true and share these thoughts with you in the sacred name of Jesus Christ.

PREPARE TO SERVE

The decision to leave home for an extended period of time to serve God as a missionary was a relatively easy one for me.

Growing up I felt fairly indifferent to the idea of one day serving a mission. I really didn't want to at one point. However, as I approached my last year of high school in late 2012 to mid 2013, I began to feel it was the right thing to do.

(Senior Photo, Lindsay Kay Photography)

There were several things that began prompting me that I should go on a mission. One of the strongest began when a large surge of hype about serving missions began to enter the hearts of my peers and other young people around the world after President Thomas S. Monson's historic announcement that lowered the church's age policy for young Elders and Sisters.

Here is that announcement:

"...effective immediately all worthy and able young men who have graduated from high school or its equivalent, regardless of where they live, will have the option of being recommended for missionary service beginning at the age of 18, instead of age 19... able, worthy young women who have the desire to serve may be recommended for missionary service beginning at age 19, instead of age 21."

"We affirm that missionary work is a priesthood duty—and we encourage all young men who are worthy and who are physically able and mentally capable to respond to the call to serve."

-President Monson

-

This announcement changed the lives of many of my peers who were now able to serve at a younger age. Many prepared themselves to recieve their assignments and promptly left just after their high school graduation!

Despite the energetic hype surrounding me, I firmly held to the plan that I wanted to leave at age nineteen. It had been the standard my whole life and at the time of the announcement I was only a few weeks away from turning eighteen. I still had school to finish and I also needed to make sure that I was prepared spiritually and financially in order to heed this special call.

That's right. You heard me correctly; financially prepared.


(Senior Photo, Lindsay Kay Photography)

A mission is not a cheap experience in any sense of the word. After I graduated High School my family made a quick move out of state and I began working at my local Subway Cafe as a "Sandwich artist".

For several months, creating custom subs, washing dishes, manning the drive-thru, preparing pre-cooked meats, slicing veggies, rotating storage, cashiering through painful lunch rushes and baking bread became part of my normal routine.

This job helped me save enough money to help me get on my mission. Though it was challenging, I look back fondly on the learning experiences I had and many wonderful people I had the pleasure of forming lasting friendships with.

During this time, I began meeting with my local Bishop to begin the process of becoming a missionary. Lots of interviews and paperwork!

One of the most special means of preparation for my mission was to enter the Temple to make sacred promises with God to serve Him and love those around me.

Many of my close family members were able to be with me that day to see me go through for the first time. It was one of the most special and spiritual experiences of my life. I will never forget the special spiritual impact this experience was.

Finally, after months and months of appointments, long hours of work and anxious anticipation, a white envelope with details of my assignment arrived in the mail...

...and my anxiety began to increase.

WASHINGTON

Hello! I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

For two years, I was known as Elder Brinkerhoff, a full-time missionary. 

Welcome to my blog!

Here I will share stories and insights I experienced over the course of my two-year service in the great state of Washington (July 2nd 2014-July 5th 2016). I want to document these fun and profoundly precious moments that mean so much to me in a way that I can look back and remember but also so I can share it with you!

I am grateful for the many opportunities I have been given to serve in my small capacity. Growing up, I was very active in my religious youth group. I was able to feel a sense of purpose begin to form as I began to understand my Duty to God. I remember many service projects and leadership positions that pushed me and moulded my understanding of what it truly means to love and serve others.

I have been blessed with tremendously supportive parents and inspiring role models. Not everybody has that blessing, so I try not to take them for granted. Without them, I never would have been able to experience my personal growth and spiritual understanding that now means so much to me. They have carried me through my hardest days. From my earliest days of existence learning to walk to my current days as I strive to find my place and purpose in life.

I look back on my mission trip with many different feelings; feelings I never expected. A mission truly is a metaphor for life. I felt that so many times. I experienced some very low emotional lows, and the highest of emotional highs. My mission contained lots of profound "bookend" experiences, if you will. Things that felt repeated or felt like they paralleled in unique ways from beginning to end. I've done my best to document them and remember them. There are a lot! I don't know if everyone experiences something of this sacred nature, but this pattern, I think, was God's assurance that He is aware of me and that where I was at given times truly was divinely inspired. It requires a lot of faith to continue forward when God calls you to do something. Usually it's not easy, but always worth it as I have found in my own life.

I have so many people and other blessings to thank for the success I experienced on my mission. In no way am I trying to elevate myself or pat myself on the back for anything I did during my time as a full-time missionary, but to share with you the incredible cleansing power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ that I've experienced in my own life. There are so many incredible miracles to bring to light. I truly feel that I have been able to accomplish the will of God and His personal mission for me as I elected to be an instrument in His hands to help others return to Him.

I know that God listens. He is always there. He has a plan for you. Have the courage to seek after that plan. It is a life-long adventure, but it is worth it.

I dedicate my words to God and testify of them in the name of Jesus Christ.