Well, here we are. I never would've thought that this day would come. But it has. My two years has come to its close. I'm really not too sure what to say during this email. I feel like there is so much I could share but I don't know where to start. I guess I could just start by sharing my reflection talk that I gave at my last ZTM.
"Elders and Sisters, I never really thought that this day would come. I remember sitting in this very chapel, a brand new missionary in training, while I listened to the powerful final testimonies of other great missionaries. At the time, they seemed like superheroes to me, someone who would not and could not be stopped. I remember sitting in awe at the experiences they shared or the testimonies they declared. And now here I am, in there shoes, standing on the other side of two years, doing the same thing. Time really does go by too fast. And I will say, I definitely feel like no hero. So I will count this as a spiritual disclaimer. I do not intend to blow everybody's mind with any kind of elevated, eloquent doctrinal declarations, nor do I intend to recite some poem that I've spent long, hard months to prepare. Rather, I'd like to simply share my testimony of some basic truths and principles I've learned during these past two years. And I hope that they may be of at least some use to each of you, as they have blessed my own life immeasurably.
Alma 29: 1-3 reads, "O that I were an angel, and could have the wish of my heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people.
Yea, I would declare unto every soul, as with the voice of thunder, repentance and the plan of redemption, that they should repent and come unto our God, that there might not be more sorrow upon all the face of the earth.
But behold, I am a man, and do sin in my wish; for I ought to be content with the things which the Lord hath allotted unto me."
I've pondered a lot on my mission about what it means to be "content with the things which the Lord hath allotted unto me." And what I've come to know is that to be content does NOT mean to be idle. No matter what our circumstances in the work may be, we have to keep moving forward. We are running on a treadmill here, and God is the one who adjusts the speed. But no matter how fast or slow that belt is moving, if we stop, we are going to fall behind, and eventually fall off completely. Being content means to accept and use to the fullest the gifts and talents that the Lord has given us, while not becoming bitter because of the things that we don't feel like He's giving us. I have learned this lesson in my own life. My voice is not one of great power or persuasion, and I too like Alma, did desire to speak with the "voice of thunder," to "shake the earth." But in spite of weakness of speaking, the Lord has compensated me by giving me an increased capacity to love and find the good in others. And that has made my experience here all the more rich. Continually strive to be content, but not idle, striving to become better, but not giving up if the results don't immediately appear. God will compensate us for our weaknesses. See Ether 12:27.
Doctrine and Covenants 42:6 talks about preaching the Gospel two-by-two. It is the Lord's patter, and all of us are given companions to fulfill that pattern. Elders and Sisters, I cannot emphasize enough the importance of loving, serving, and listening to your companions. Simply put, if you and your companion are not unified and are not developing a friendship, then your efforts in the work will be in vain. You will not find joy in the work and you will not be as effective. On the other hand, if you ARE friends with your companion, and you are united in purpose, drive, and desires to be obedient and humble, then there is NOTHING better! I am confident in saying that I've developed precious and strong relationships with each of my companions. And those relationships will extend FAR beyond the length of full-time missionary service. Heck, even into the eternities! And my wish is that you will be able to enjoy the blessings and happiness that come from such friendships. If you are looking for weaknesses and faults in your companions, guaranteed you will find some. If we were perfect, we'd be Jesus. But don't let those weaknesses and faults take priority over the good and wonderful people that we are all trying to be. This principle is something that has blessed me greatly, and will continue to bless me in the next chapter of my life. So, love, serve, and listen to your companions. I understand now why President Blickenstaff loved that bullet point so much.
Elders and Sisters, I'm sure most of us are familiar with the story of the vikings, who in an act of pure bravery, burned their ships when arriving to conquer a new land. Why would they do something so strange? Because the vikings new that there was no retreat. If they left their ships in the port, then there would always be at least some thought of going back. But no. Their mindset was that they were either going to conquer or die trying. There was no going back. Their previous lands are nothing to them now. They have new goals and purposes in mind. And because of this, the vikings were some of, if not the most, successful conquerors and fighters in history. Because there was no giving up. Elders and Sisters, we are to be like the vikings. Regardless of what our past lives may have included: hobbies, interests, habits, mistakes, sins. All of that is behind us now! I am not the same person I was when I stepped off that boat those two years ago. And every time I've wanted to turn around and look back, I realize that there is NOTHING to go back to. I've burned that ship! The timbers of the past are nothing more than frail ashes that crumble under the slightest pressure. I've given up almost everything I have, and everything I was to be to the point that I am now! Was it easy to look back and see the past life burning? OF COURSE NOT! But because I was willing to let it all go, the Lord has blessed me and made me stronger for it. Elders and Sisters, retreat is not an option here! We go forward and conquer, or we die. That's all there is to it. So don't give up. God knows what we're doing. He will be on the front lines with us, our leader and captain. And He will be there to lift us when we fall, as all do at times. And then we keep marching forward. "Behold! A royal army, With banner, sword, and shield, Is marching forth to conquer On life's great battlefield. Its ranks are filled with soldiers, United, bold, and strong, Who follow their Commander And sing their joyful song."
And Elders and Sisters, it is on this point that I'd like to end. I know that Jesus Christ lives, and that He is our commander. He is our perfect example. This is HIS work. It's not mine, it's not yours. We are simply humble tools for Him to work with. He will hasten the work in HIS time, not ours. Elders and Sisters, all the time in the world would not be sufficient for me to express my love of the Lord. Very simply put, I, like all, am an imperfect person. I have made mistakes. I have weaknesses. And there have been some low points in my life, and even in my mission when I felt like giving up. But, thanks to the Savior, in His love, mercy, and grace, and His infinite atoning sacrifice, He's lifted me out of even the blackest, darkest times of my life. And I'll never be able to repay Him or thank Him enough. I stand proud to have been His witness for these two years. He has made me the person He wants me to be. And He continues to do so daily. I feel that my testimony of Him echoes that of Elder Bruce R. McConkie in saying that I am one of His witnesses. And I too, "in a coming day shall feel the nail marks in His hands, and in His feet, and shall wet His feet with my [own] tears. But I [too] shall not know any better than, than I know now, that He is God's almighty son, that He is our Savior and Redeemer, and that salvation comes in and through His atoning blood, and in no other way." I love this Gospel. I love the people of Taiwan, whom I've been assigned to labor amongst. This is a beautiful part of God's vineyard, and it has been my privilege to serve here. I love all of you, regardless of if you've been my companion or I've simply talked to you in passing. You have all taught me great lessons and I'll be eternally grateful to all of you. And when we meet again, what a sweet reunion it will be. I thank God for my mission, and for all of the blessings he has bestowed upon me. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."
I have loved my mission so much. I have learned so much about myself, about the Gospel, about life, about countless other things. I have had such choice experiences and memories innumerable. I have made so many great friends here. But most of all, I've come to know God and Jesus Christ in even greater measure. I've seen the fulfillment of ancient prophecy, seeing the "marvelous work and wonder" roll forth in this beautiful country. Leaving here will not be easy. In doing so, I leave behind a part of my soul, a part of my heart, and a part of my love. My heart has changed, and I am becoming more and more the man God needs me to be. My mission may not have appeared perfect in the eyes of some, but it was perfect for me. And I've loved every precious moment.
Thanks for all of the love and support to all of you over the past two years. I will miss any of the mission friends I've made, but it won't be long before we meet again. And to my precious family, "In the quiet misty morning, when the moon has gone to bed, when the sparrows stop their singing, and the sky is clear and red. When the summer's ceased its gleaming, when the corn is past its prime, when adventure's lost its meaning, I'll be homeward bound in time. Bind me not to the pasture. Chain me not to the plow. Set me free to find my calling. And I'll return to you somehow. If you find it's me you're missing, If you're hoping I'll return, to your thoughts I'll soon be listening, and in the road I'll stop and turn. Then the wind will set me racing, as my journey nears its end. And the path I'll be retracing, when I'm homeward bound again."
God bless all of you, and God be with you till we meet again.
Sincerely,
Elder Chase Joseph Millett
雷龘鬱長老
P.S. (One of the biggest miracles of my mission occurred last Saturday. I'll let the picture do the explaining.)
Sister Shi overcame her Sabbath Day concern, and she was baptized this last Saturday. And her son is now a progressing investigator. Mission accomplished.
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