The Mission Leader Seminar and My Departing Testimony

Last week, all the mission leaders of our area were asked to travel to the area headquarters in Lima, Peru for a Seminar. The Peru Arequipa Mission is one of 34 missions that make up the South America Northwest Area of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It also contains more than 250 stakes and covers the countries of Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.  It is currently Presided over by Elder Jorge T. Becerra who is the Area President.

Despite the size of the area, we as mission leaders have become very close friends. We have all come to learn during our service that routine is elusive due to surprising challenges we are presented with each day.  Our missions vary greatly, but our shared experience gives us a unique understanding of one another as we cheer each other on.

New mission leaders from all over the world are called and start their three-year service in early July of each year. President Chipman and I will be finishing our mission in six weeks along with 13 other couples from our Area. This has made this year’s seminar particularly meaningful and emotional as president and I contemplate our departure and what our future holds. We are excited to go home to our family, but our emotions are more complicated than we would have imagined early in our service. Arequipa now feels like our home and the mission life is all we know!

During our recent seminar, the president and I were invited to share a brief departing testimony.  The following is the English version of the testimony that I read in Spanish:

Elder Jeffery R. Holland promised us in the MTC three years ago, “This will be the most rewarding conversion experience you could possibly ever have.” I testify that this is true. 

This is hard work.  It is relentless and exhausting, yet it has been such a sacred privilege because it is the Lord’s work. 

I have learned that just because God asks us to do something, he doesn’t pave the way or make it easy. This is because he is interested in our development and conversion as we learn to rely on Him to do his work, His way. 

I have had the gift of tongues,  but my Spanish is really, really bad. 

I have come face to face with my many weaknesses, yet I have been magnified greatly beyond my capabilities. 

I haven't seen angels, but I testify that I have personally felt their assistance daily for myself, my missionaries, and my family. 

I have studied and prepared talks and presentations for endless hours, and as promised, the scriptures have been revealed to me in ways that I have never thought possible. 

The young missionaries often present perplexing challenges, yet my ability to love each of them fully surpasses my understanding. 

Many times it felt like we were utterly failing. However, the revelation has been abundant, and it often was only apparent many months later when things miraculously worked out. 

I have never been more uncomfortable in my entire life, yet I have discovered that through my personal daily repentance that I can indeed make real lasting change and feel the healing power of my Savior. 

I never know what tomorrow will bring, but I do know in whom I can trust. He is my Savior Jesus Christ. 

I know that President Russel M. Nelson is God’s prophet today. I will follow him to my Savior.  

In the sacred name of Jesus Christ, Amen.