I was lied to!!

A couple weeks ago my sister training leader asked me how I would describe my mission in one word. I responded, "Hard." She then went on to describe all the wonderful times we have on our mission, how much they help us grow and how much fun we can have! She asked me again "so now how would you describe your mission?" "HARD!" I responded calmly:) It is true. Missions are hard! So very very hard!
When I would ask others about their missions I always heard the most inspiring and joyful answers. I began to believe that missions were always wonderful and exciting. It never crossed my mind how exhausting and troublesome missions were. I was very much lied to! I also now realize how grateful I am that missions are hard! I would not lean near as much if my mission was easy. It reminds me of a quote by Elder Jeffery R. Holland

Anyone who does any kind of missionary work will have occasion to ask, Why is this so hard? Why doesn’t it go better? Why can’t our success be more rapid? Why aren’t there more people joining the Church? It is the truth. We believe in angels. We trust in miracles. Why don’t people just flock to the font? Why isn’t the only risk in missionary work that of pneumonia from being soaking wet all day and all night in the baptismal font?

You will have occasion to ask those questions. I have thought about this a great deal. I offer this as my personal feeling. I am convinced that missionary work is not easy because salvation is not a cheap experience. Salvation never was easy. We are The Church of Jesus Christ, this is the truth, and He is our Great Eternal Head. How could we believe it would be easy for us when it was never, ever easy for Him? It seems to me that missionaries and mission leaders have to spend at least a few moments in Gethsemane. Missionaries and mission leaders have to take at least a step or two toward the summit of Calvary. (Missionary Work and the Atonement)

For anyone who is venturing off to become a missionary or who is wondering who those missionaries are, just know that being a missionary is hard! But it allows us to come closer to our Savior and to understand just a small piece of His suffering. I love being a missionary and having the opportunity to grow in such a concentrated time frame. I love my Savior and I love His work.