1 Year ✅️

As I was set apart and began my mission one year ago, I was touched by the outpouring of love and counsel that I had received from friends, family, and leaders that shared with me the importance of what I was about to do and the journey on which I would embark. One quote that called my attention and has continued to inspire is that of Neal A. Maxwell. It goes something like this:

"The same God that placed that star in a precise orbit millennia before it appeared over Bethlehem in celebration of the birth of the Babe has given at least equal attention to placement of each of us in precise orbits so that we may, if we will, illuminate the landscape of our individual lives, so that our light may not only lead others but warm them as well."

As I began my own transcontinental trajectory, deciding to serve a mission, I felt the light of others in their personal and divinely placed orbits, as well as my own in the lives of others. I am truly in awe with the way God has led me to those that have changed my life, a beautiful colliding of course. One way that I have seen that is through the diversity of people I have taught and which with I have conversed. I have taught those from Paraguay, Peru and Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, Bolivia, not to mention Spain. Many of those of who I have had the pleasure of meeting were not even here in Spain when I arrived in early August of last year. We truly have met thanks to a guidance beyond my comprehension. I love the metaphor of an orbit; it does not mean we will shine to all, or that we may change the world, but that in our small and heavenly guided trajectory, we may truly and deeply touch the lives of others. 

On the other hand, on the macroscopic level, here are some of the numbers of the year!

- Served in 4 areas

- Had 8 Companion from 4 different countries

- Spoken to people from at least 50 countries 

- Contacted in the street  ~5000 people

- Learned 1 language

- Walked ~1300 miles 

I will gratefully say that the mission has been the hardest thing I have ever done. I have been stretched in ways I didn't believe possible and I stressed, and cried, and whined, and rejoiced, and honestly hoped some days would never end. Throughout all of it I have relished every experience helping me in my own personal growth. 

I have enjoyed the great company and example of wonderful companions who have, with and without saying it, shown me both my strengths and my faults. I have made great and lifelong friends and along with hopefully learned great and lifelong lessons.

I would first like to share this scripture from Isaiah in context of what is to come this next year. I have seen great blessings and have enjoyed the experiences of what already seems like 2 years. With that said, I have faith that the best is yet to come:

"For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him."

Isaiah 64:4

This last one is actually the scripture verse I chose for my mission. I'm not sure I ever got to explain what called my attention so much. For the months upcoming to my mission after I had already received my call and the Spanish flag hung there in my room, I began to feel great doubt. I questioned everything to a point where even the most basic beliefs began to crumble. Through a process of prayerful searching, both spiritual and intellectual, I began to relearn those basic principles that I had lost. Now I look back on that mental struggle as a blessing. One, that I was able to gain a stronger testimony, and the other is that I know now how important it was for me to come to Spain. I have realized that often before decisions of great importance come great opposition. I am grateful I decided to continue with my decision. I can't think of my life if I had given in in that moment. 

There is much we don't understand. There is so much I have to learn and sometimes I worry because of that. I hope with that context you may better see the importance of this scripture to me.

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye are little children, and ye have not as yet understood how great blessings the Father hath in his own hands and prepared for you;

And ye cannot bear all things now; nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along. The kingdom is yours and the blessings thereof are yours, and the riches of eternity are yours."

D&C 78:17-18

In summary, this has been the most life-changing, difficult, incredible, year of my life. 

10/10 Highly Recommend 

Elder Dougall