Farewell Talk:
What I Have Learned From My Father and How I Will Use It On My Mission
- Hermana Cordova- June 25th, Las Vegas Nevada Mission, Mexico MTC (10 days!!!)
- Dad: Elder Cordova-Veracruz Mexico
- Things I have learned:
- Follow through on promptings -*Story about the lady who had been praying about what church to join.* the missionaries felt inspired all day to visit the dead end, dirt road cul-de-sac, my dad and his companion followed the spirit’s promptings by the end of the day. The lady opened the door and said, “I was waiting for you! I was on my way to go to the church down the road. I’ve been praying to lord to send me a sign of where I should go to receive a blessing and to find the true church”.
- The lesson that I learned for this experience is that no matter how daunting a prompting may sound, it is important to follow right away. If these missionaries had decided not to follow the spirit this sister would not have received the answer to her prayer!
- My journal entry: “I always brush off my promptings, I think someone else will do it, and yet I always end up making a split second decision that puts me in the position to serve.” (Heavenly Father’s work obviously) “I am so thankful that my Heavenly Father has not given up on me yet. I have not learned to act as soon as I receive promptings. But one day I will not question when He asks me to do something. I will learn how to receive the revelation that He Shares. Heavenly Father listens and loves each of His children. That to me is evident in the little acts of service that He inspires me to do. I know as I follow His promptings that He will trust me to listen and follow, and He will know that I am a willing and able servant”.
- Stay motivated-Often when things get hard, it is easy to forget why you wanted to do something in the first place. I love these quotes and I know that when I have hard days I can look at these and remind myself why I chose to serve. "All missionaries, younger and older, serve with the sole hope of making life better for other people." -Elder Russell M. Nelson. Clayton Christensen, “We share the gospel because we know it will help others become better, happier people.” My dad has always told me that when I make a commitment I have an obligation to keep it. There have been times during the school year, and at work when I literally feel like I could not go on. Times when I have dramatically exclaimed to my dad,”Dad, I can’t do this anymore. I give up. It’s just. TOO. HARD.” Because my dad never lets me wallow in self pity he firmly tells me, “Lauren go back upstairs, stop whining, and get back to work.”
- I know that there is going to be hard days on my mission, day when I will want to give up and go home. However, I know my father’s words will be a constant source of strength when my motivation may not be as strong. I know that even if I have a hard day, that I can CHOOSE to have a positive attitude, pray for strength, and “get back to work”.
- Share the story of the sister missionary, with the twisted ankle, didn’t want to go on. They found the family waiting for them and now they are an eternal family!
- Service- I admire my dad for giving up many Saturdays to help people move, and also literally running to give someone in need a blessing. As a missionary I will have countless opportunities to render service for others! I am so excited to follow my dad’s example and serve with all my heart. The following are a few quotes from modern day prophets concerning service:
- “We must never ignore or pass by the prompting of the Spirit to render service to one another.”– M. Russell Ballard.
- “Dedicated missionary service returns a dividend of eternal joy which extends throughout mortality and into eternity.”– Thomas S. Monson.
- “Behold, I say unto you that because I said unto you that I had spent my days in your service, I do not desire to boast, for I have only been in the service of God. And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.” (Mosiah 2:16-17)
- Poem: “Father, Where Shall I Work Today? “I asked the Lord, “What shall I do?” And my love flowed warm and free. Then He pointed me out a tiny spot And said, “Tend that for me.” I quickly replied, “Oh no, not that. “Why no one would ever see. “No matter how well my work was done; “Not that little place for me.” The word He spoke, It was not stern, He answered me tenderly; “Ah, little one, search that heart of thine. “Are you working for them or me? “Nazareth was a little place, and so was Galilee.”” – Meade MacGuire 16
- Financial Responsibility-My dad is an accountant, so of course I have to add some kind of reference to numbers or math in this talk! From the time I was little my dad taught me how to take my earnings and give 10% to the Lord, from there I made my own budget. Now, for those who know me, I am NOT a mathematician, in fact I loathe math. However, I learned to love budgeting. Just like I did when I was little, the time came for me to start preparing for my mission so I made a budget plan. I’ve been following my budget for almost 10 months now, and I have seen miracles as I have diligently paid my tithing, and learned how to live frugally.
- Be prepared for hard things- There are many experiences that my dad shared with me about his mission where doors were literally slammed in his face. And when people would yell and scream at him and his companions for no reason. In one of my institute classes from last year my teacher share Alma 2:28, it says, “Nevertheless, the Nephites being strengthened by the hand of the Lord, having prayed mightily to him that he would deliver them out of the hands of their enemies, therefore the Lord did hear their cries, and did strengthen them, and the Lamanites and the Amlicites did fall before them.” This scripture teaches me to CHOOSE to accept hard things. One of my favorite scriptures that has helped me in difficult circumstances is found in Alma 1:25, “Nevertheless, the Nephites being strengthened by the hand of the Lord, having prayed mightily to him that he would deliver them out of the hands of their enemies, therefore the Lord did hear their cries, and did strengthen them, and the Lamanites and the Amlicites did fall before them.” The Lord strengthens His people! How cool is that? He hears our prayers and he helps us overcome our enemies!!!! I know the Lord will strengthen me, protect me, and help me every step of the way!!
- “Make the most of bad experience” -Missionary Meeting
- “Find joy on your mission-pray for others, get on your knees everyday”
- In 3 Nephi 19:9 “And they did pray for that which they most desired; and they desired that the Holy Ghost should be given unto them”. The holy ghost will be there through the hard days!
- Jeffrey R. Holland, None were with Him, “Because Jesus walked such a long, lonely path utterly alone, we do not have to do so”. I have a solid testimony of the power of the Savior’s Atonement!! He know my pain and weaknesses, and I know that He loves me despite my faults!! I can’t wait to bring the peace that I have into the lives of the people that I serve!
- I know that I am not alone!
- Prepare for amazing things-Alma 62:45, “Therefore, Helaman and his brethren went forth, and did declare the word of God with much power unto the convincing of many people of their wickedness, which did cause them to repent of their sins and to be baptized unto the Lord their God.” I know that my dad loves every single person that he met in Veracruz!!
- I know that there are people in Las Vegas right now, prepared and ready to receive the gospel. I am one of the super blessed missionaries, who get to serve in this area! I already love the people so much, and I cannot wait to meet my brothers and sisters! I have a testimony that as I prepare myself spiritually to teach them, that the Lord will guide me to his prepared children!
- Find your weaknesses and make them strengths-My dad is always encouraging me to try to be better. One example of this is his pressure for me to obtain a good education. He always tells me to strive for the “A” even when I am barely maintaining a passing grade. My dad doesn’t want me to have weaknesses, that is why he pressures me so much to transform my weakness and make them my strengths!! I am so grateful for that! Speaking of weaknesses into strengths, I would like to share one of my favorite talks of all time was given by Brad Wilcox, “His Grace is Sufficient”. I remember the first time I watched it, I was in my BOM institute class, and as I listened my heart began to change. It was literally life changing. I would just like to share a few quotes from this talk.
- “Christ’s grace is sufficient to transform us”. (Changing our weaknesses, helping us become more Christ-like people).
- “Grace is the enabling power of Jesus Christ. The grace of Christ is sufficient to cover ALL our debts”.
- The last quote from the talk reinforces what my dad has taught me, “Don’t quit, keep trying, don’t look for excuses and escapes-look for the Lord-search for the person who can help you, seek Christ”.
- “Learn from things that you’re not good at, and get better at them” -RM advice
- “Be yourself, the Lord has sent you to this mission. Use your strengths” Rm advice
- Always remember the atonement of Christ-
- Use the Atonement and repent daily. “Ask the dangerous prayer: Lord what do I need to repent of”-Elder Christofferson
- My purpose on my mission: Share the Atonement, testify, bear witness, show charity (love of christ), serve, and invite ALL people to repent.-President Pingree
- “Invite other to come unto christ by helping them. It is ALL about Jesus Christ”.-President Pingree
- Make a plan-My dad has taught me to make plans, to have a goal in mind, and to always be working toward something. He is always learning new things, and trying to perfect things that he has already learned. I love how hard he works to become a better person each day!
- Be worthy and ready! Be prepared! Make a plan!
- President Holland, “If you’re not tired, if you are not exhausted by the end of the night, you’re not doing it right”. (In regards to setting appointments, and teaching lessons on my mission)
- Be Obedient with exactness-I took the wording for this lesson from the pre-mission zone conference that I had the opportunity to attend a few weeks ago. Obedience in my family leads to freedom. Just like when we follow Heavenly Father’s commandments, we get freedom! Freedom from guilt, addiction, and pain. Being obedient has also given me more responsibility!!! I get the opportunity to exercise my obedience daily, to show that I am a worthy daughter, and heavenly daughter.
- Alma 41:10 “Do not suppose, because it has been spoken concerning restoration, that ye shall be restored from sin to happiness. Behold, I say unto you, wickedness never was happiness.”
- I know that as I obey my mission president that I will be blessed. I have heard many stories of the blessings that come from following rules and commandments with exactness.
- The Importance of Eternal Families-I love my parents!!!!! I'm grateful for the choices that they have made, that led our family to be sealed together forever!!!! I am so amazed every day by their love! I am so thankful for their support, as I've been preparing to serve a mission. I am comforted by the fact that I have the opportunity to help other families learn and accept the gospel!! I can't wait to invite others to make the choices that will lead them to one day become eternal families!!!
