Endings and Beginnings

Right now I am almost at a loss for words.  There's so much going on within my heart and mind that it seems nearly impossible to share even a portion of it.  But, you all know me, I will try my best. 

Memories, ah....good times!

It's here; the end has come.  The eighteen month journey is at it's close.  Over the last few weeks I have found myself laying awake and reflecting upon my mission, my life as a sister missionary.  I see the faces of each person I have met, the people I have loved, the people that have changed me more than I have changed them.  I love them.  I cherish the bonds I have made and the spiritual moments shared.  It's like nothing else I have ever experienced.

Though this chapter in my life is ending, a new one is beginning; my life as Brittany Nestman.

What will life be like at home?  Most likely it will be much like it was before the mission: church, work, school, family, friends, and dating (o.0).  Something I have found myself asking is "what will be different?  What is it that I am taking home from all of this?"  Yes I'm taking home all my memories, cherished thoughts and feelings, but what else?

Reflection and Growth

Happy Cinco de Mayo!  Today marks a big mission landmark for me, one year of being a missionary.  For an Elder, this would be the half way mark (aka the "hump").  As a Sister it marks two thirds of the mission.  Tragic and sad, but it's the life of a Sister Missionary.

At zone conference yesterday we were privileged to hear the testimonies of  a couple of our soon-to-be departing missionaries and listen to the words of wisdom they had to share.  Listening to them made me reflect back to who I was before the mission, just one year ago.  What changes have I seen within myself since then?  What kind of person have I become?  One thing rang true to me, I don't want to be who I used to be.

To backtrack a little, I wasn't some horrible person.  Never a "rebel" or a "wild child."  Just your typical 21 year old LDS girl.  Made good choices and didn't do anything contrary to church standards.  I went to church, went to some activities, and read my scriptures occasionally.  Not overly dedicated or tons of effort put into my religion.  I knew it was true and all that jazz, just didn't give it the priority it deserved.  My evaluation of this person, pathetic!

Pit stop on Highway 1

One year on my mission has made me a whole new being.  I have grown in more ways then I can ever possibly hope to explain or try to convey.  The person I am now is far superior to the pathetic being I was before.  This may sound harsh, but it's true.  There has been a change from within me. 

"1Behold, he changed their hearts; yea, he awakened them out of a deep sleep, and they awoke unto God. Behold, they were in the midst of darkness; nevertheless, their souls were illuminated by the light of the everlasting word..."

There is a light within my soul that I didn't know was missing.  Now that I have found it I don't ever want to lose it.  "Onward and upward;" no turning back to who I was.  This change has happened and is all attributed to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  The Gospel of Christ changes lives.  It makes an okay life amazing and an amazing life even better.  If you haven't yet, I invite you now to come unto Christ and make that change in your life.  He invites all men everywhere to "2follow thou me."  To follow Christ's example and be baptized.


"3Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I know that if ye shall follow the Son, with full purpose of heart, acting no hypocrisy and no deception before God, but with real intent, repenting of your sins, witnessing unto the Father that ye are willing to take upon you the name of Christ, by baptism—yea, by following your Lord and your Savior down into the water, according to his word, behold, then shall ye receive the Holy Ghost; yea, then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost; and then can ye speak with the tongue of angels, and shout praises unto the Holy One of Israel."

If this is your desire, please please PLEASE take the steps necessary to follow Christ.  Meet with the missionaries and have that change of heart too.  I know it will bless your life forever.

Q&A

Hello Sister Nestman!  I got to go to Utah last weekend, and I saw one of my missionaries, who has now returned home. I was telling him that you have 2 brothers who are on missions too! I told him that your Mom must be missing her kids sooooo much! All three are gone at the same time! You know what he said? He just smiled... and said, "she must be soooo blessed!"
I just love missionaries and their families so much for what they are doing and sacrificing. It would make me so happy to hear how your Mom has been blessed. So, if you know... would you please tell me? Thanks!

After I was asked this question, I shot a message off to my mom asking her what her thoughts were.  This is her response:

Well here's the deal.  As parents we are charged with the calling to raise you up in the ways of the Lord.  The church teaches us that raising our kids and teaching them about Christ, our Heavenly Father, and the gospel, is our number one priority.  We made a commitment before coming to earth to do this. Your dad and I take that very very seriously.  So we have tried to raise you as the Lord would have us and then the rest comes down to free agency.  All three of you have it and you chose to spread the message of families can be together forever through the Church of Jesus Christ.  All we did was try to do all the Lord asked of us in teaching you and trying to be good examples and you three made your own choices.  Our joy is knowing you are building the kingdom of God.  That's our greatest blessing and joy.

I love my mom and the testimony she has.  She is my hero!  When I grow up, I want to be just like her.  She knows what the Lord expects of her and works daily to do it.  All of us could take a page from my her book and just do what we should.  Thanks mom.

Wait, did you say 3?

2 Corinthians 13:1 reads: "...In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established".  My parents either seriously internalized this scripture, or are poor planners.  Currently they have 3 children serving missions around the world.  We joked as I was growing up that this could potentially happen, but didn't really think of it as a reality at all.  The day I decided to serve my mission was the day we realized that we would be serving for at least 9 months all at the same time.

Blogging

This is the first time I have ever done a blog.....So here goes :)  I am very honored and excited to be an online missionary.  What an amazing opportunity to share the gospel with those not only in my mission, but around the world!  I know that our Savior, Jesus Christ, lives.  Joseph Smith was God's chosen Prophet for the restoration and that the Book of Mormon is "another testament of Jesus Christ".  I know that Thomas S. Monson is the Prophet for this Dispensation.  I love this work and know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the only true church here on the earth today.