A Letter from my cousin

So my cousin Bryan is coming home from his mission this week and he sent home his final letter. His words have been on my mind all week as I've pondered exactly what my "sights" are set on. I think his letter is very indicative of the great missionary he was and the amazing man he's become. It fills me with excitement (and a little bit of dread) at the thought of my children leaving me to go on their own mission and coming back grown, mature men. I know that as we follow the Savior and do His will, our lives will be overflowing with happiness and joy and peace. And as hard as it will be to see my boys go, I can't wait to see them follow in their second cousin's footsteps. Here is a part of the letter that really touched me and made me ponder:

This has truly been the greatest blessing in my life. I have learned so much these last two years and I'm grateful to the Lord for allowing me to have these experiences. I just wish that it didn't have to end. It reminds me of the story in the tenth chapter of Mark. In this story (verses 46-52) blind Bartimaeus is begging by the wayside and he hears that Jesus of Nazareth is coming by. So he calls out, "Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me." Those around him tried to stop him from yelling, but he persisted and cried louder, "Thou Son of David, have mercy on me." Finally, Christ, as he always does, came mercifully near and asked him, "What wilt thou that I should do unto thee?" Bartimaeus' response was so perfect the Lord could not refuse him: "Lord, that I might receive my sight." Christ responded, "Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole." The story beautifully concludes, "And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way." To me this is a story about us all. We, like blind Bartimaeus, are crying out for mercy because we have become blinded to the things that are most important. And Christ, as he always will, comes tenderly near to hear our plea. But, to be sure we are ready, he asks, "What wilt thou that I should do unto thee?" or in common speak, "What do you want?" And our response must be like the blind man's: "Lord, that I might receive my sight. Please help me to see things as they really are: Thee, myself, the world. Help me to see what's really important." And with a response like that the Lord can't refuse and he will help us see. I feel as though I am in the position of blind Bartimaeus. I have been granted the gift of sight over these two years. Right now, despite my imperfections, I feel that I see things--God, myself, and the world--more clearly than I have ever seen them before. I'm scared to come home because I'm worried the vision I have may become clouded and filled with things that are unimportant. It has been an honor to "follow Jesus in the way" over these last two years. It has forever changed my life. Please be patient with me as I come home and realize that, although I am coming home to many things that I love, I am leaving behind a work, a calling, and a people that I love with all my heart. I am so grateful to have good family like all of you who have showed me all the love and support that I could ask for. I am grateful for the Savior and I know that the only way that we will truly "see" is by living according to His teachings and staying close to His mercy. The Restoration is real and this is not just a church that we belong to, but it is in fact the Kingdom of God on the earth. What a blessing. What a tremendous honor it is to represent the Savior, if only in our small ways.

Welcome home Bud!