Monday, 1-16-12
Emily,
Hello there! I’m so glad that you emailed me. I just was
reflecting on the past two years of my life. As I thought about the last two – can you believe it’s been
two years since I started the missionary lessons?! I keep the pamphlets that they gave me during the lessons
and also the Book of Mormon you gave me – I keep them in the apartment – but
it’s just really crazy to think about how much my life has been blessed from a
few college students who weren’t afraid to share what they knew to be true. I
remember driving up to General Conference together and how I got to meet your
Grandparents and I remember when your Grandma said to me, “Don’t forget to plan
a mission in there”, after I told her what I wanted to do, and I laughed at
her! Ha, well we’re both laughing now.
I wish I could remember her name. Before I left your Grandma’s, the lady you called your “Aunt
so and so” but she wasn’t related to you, came out to the car and bore her
testimony to me really briefly about prophets and how she knows how I feel, and
I never really knew why, but that always stuck with me. And then on top of that – your loving
parents and their guidance and friendship. You’ve just really blessed my life and I am amazed at how
well you followed the mission protocol as you helped me progress – I mean you
really followed it almost exactly and probably better than the missionaries
did. I bet you didn’t even know
how much you did. Ha! I can’t believe it’s happening!! I can’t believe I am a missionary right
now. Without you and Nichole and
Chris, and everyone else, there is no way I could be here right now. You have been instrumental in my
relationship with God. When I went
to Utah from MN, I was going to figure out what principles were. I never thought that I would find
God. I never thought in my whole
life before, or even after, I got baptized that I would be as happy as I am
now. To go through the temple and
make those Heavenly Promises and know in my heart that it is just the
beginning. Elder Case (*Emily’s
insert: Elder Case was the primary Elder who taught
Justin the discussions.) has just gone home, which is weird to know that for a
few weeks I got to serve at the same time as the rookie who taught me how to
have faith – what will the next two years bring? So much to do – so many to teach – so many blessings that
Heavenly Father is longing to give them.
I am so humbled that someone like me who rebelled so aggressively
against Heavenly Father, could be allowed to take part in this Work and Glory –
the thing that He holds so precious in His giant heart. I remember how bad you wanted to serve
a mission and how much you love the gospel. As far as I am concerned, you’re a better missionary than a
lot of us. You served faithfully
and you have helped me in ways I can never explain. I will be forever grateful, and when I say forever,
you know what I mean J. The blessings of the gospel in this
life have been innumerable. I can
only imagine what is coming for you and your dear family. I can never repay you for what I have
received, but I can try to pay it forward to the other lost lambs. At the last day, when we all meet
together with Him our Dear Savior, I hope it will be made crystal clear to you,
the lives you have blessed by your faithful example. Please continue to do what you do and be who you are as a
loving wife and mother. I hope all
is well with you and I’ll see you in a few years. :) You rock!
Your Friend,
Elder Behnke
Chris Bowler's Mother continually updates a blog for Elder Behnke: Go read about him at: elderjustinbehnke.blogspot.com
Chris Bowler's Mother continually updates a blog for Elder Behnke: Go read about him at: elderjustinbehnke.blogspot.com
