"The fruits of our labors"

There is a scripture I love on the inside cover of a book of emails from my mission:

"Now behold, we can look forth and see the fruits of our labors; and are they few? I say unto you, Nay, they are many" (Alma 26:31)

I smile whenever I read this verse because I remember several times on my mission when I wondered if I would have many "fruits" or what those fruits might be.

Today, I see them. So. Many. Fruits. The blessings from my mission just keep coming.

Last Tuesday marked four years of being home from my mission. In some ways it feels like more. Especially when I think about everything that has happened since that day I had to take off my name tag. Yet, in other ways, I feel like I just got home. The same anxious feelings about what might be coming in the next year. And wondering what my next "mission" is going to be.

Here are a few big things that have happened since my last post in March 2018:

• Graduation ceremony from BYU (April)
• My sister Teagan's wedding in Alabama (April)
• I got engaged, accepted my first full-time job, and ran a half marathon all within 24 hours—what a day! (July)
• My sister Callie left on her mission to Temple Square in Salt Lake City (October)
• I married my best friend in the Bountiful Utah Temple (November)

I married Jacob Walker on November 17, 2018.

It has been a year of SO many blessings. I'm still very much tied to my mission experiences in California and Brazil—the people, the language, the culture, and the memories—and I see evidence of that every single day. 

My husband Jacob and I are currently serving as Primary teachers in our ward in Murray, Utah and we love it. One of the boys in our class in Brazilian. There are a few Brazilian families in our ward that we can practice our Portuguese with. 

A few weeks ago, we went to visit my Sacramento mission president and his wife, President and Sister Lewis. That experience was so special as we remembered experiences from the mission and I reflected on the interviews I had with President Lewis and what he taught me. 

Watching Callie grow on her mission has also been a special experience for me. I've felt so much joy as I've seen Teagan, and now Callie, go on missions and dedicate their might, mind, and strength to serving the Lord. There is nothing I want more for my younger siblings than to have the chance to feel and know the truth of the gospel as they serve as full-time representatives of Jesus Christ. 

I am also reminded of my mission every day at work. I have the privilege of working for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where my testimony of revelation is strengthened daily. I often ride the train home at the end of a long, busy, but very productive day and think to myself, "After everything I've seen today, how can this not be true?" God lives. This is His true and living church. President Russell M. Nelson was called of God to be our prophet at this specific time and He is guiding us under the Lord's direction. The Quorum of the Twelve are also prophets, seers, and revelators. They truly are witnesses of Christ and I can feel it every time I'm in a room with them. 

I believe that every good thing that's happened to me in the last four years is a result of my missionary service. As I scan back through the posts on this blog, I remember the feelings I had at different moments when I wondered if it would all be worth it—the sacrifice, rejection, and struggles you feel as a missionary. I was brought to my knees time and time again as I pleaded with the Lord to help me know how to best help His children. 

Was it worth it? The answer is a resounding YES. And it still is! The fruits of our labors are MANY!

The biggest blessing, by far, that I have received because of my mission is my husband. I remember coming home from my mission and thinking I would get married within the next year or two. When that didn't happen and I struggled with dating experiences, I was discouraged. Jacob came into my life at a time when I least expected it. He was well worth the wait. He, too, served a faithful mission that changed his life and strengthened his testimony of the gospel. It is so comforting to know that I can be sealed to him forever and we can raise a forever family in love and righteousness as we follow the Savior. 

Can't wait to see what this next year has in store for us!