If you are reading this, you are probably one of the handful of people that gets mad at me for never updating my blog. This, however, is extremely important, and I'm sure everyone will be excited to hear about it, though it may be bittersweet for some.
For the eight or so months I have had a pretty solid plan. It went something like this:
And then THIS happened:
Last Sunday was a Sunday unlike any other. As everyone in Hawaii knows, the Laie Temple has been closed for renovations for the past two or so years. Last Sunday, November 21, marked the Rededication of the Lord's Temple in Laie. I was there in the first session of the Rededication, and as I was listening to the Prophet speak, I felt a prompting whisper to me.
You need to leave for your mission.
I knew I was procrastinating my mission service. I had good reasons too. Everything was in place for me to return to BYU-H next January. My contracts were signed, my classes were registered, I was planning on founding a new club, auditioning for the musical, continuing my voice lessons. More than anything else, I was looking forward to Winter Semester on the Windward Shore of Oahu.
You need to leave for your mission.
I tried arguing with it, justifying my perceived righteous course of action. I thought I wasn't ready to leave. True, I was preparing in some respects, but what about people skills and appreciation of other cultures? What better place to hone those missionary skills than at BYU-H and serve a mission in the spring?
You NEED to leave for your mission.
I have friends here! I argued. Making friends has never been easy for me (despite what any of you readers might think). The Lord had blessed me with my friends at BYU-H after much praying and pleading on my part. Surely the Lord wouldn't want me to completely leave them in a month's time, and perhaps never see them again.
There are other people in the world who need you, and they need you now.
I tried everything to justify staying for another semester. So caught up I was in my own head that I couldn't even hear the words that Pres. Thomas S. Monson was speaking at the Laie Temple Rededication. And then the choir began to sing.
Immediately the Spirit of the Lord washed over me with overwhelming force. It was then that I knew.
I need to leave for my mission.
It took me two days to finally come to grips with myself. There was much internal murmuring, and my outward demeanor was an unhappy one. Many of my friends (who I knew I would be leaving behind, perhaps for good), asked to know what was wrong. I shook off their attempts at consolation, smiled a fake smile, and reassurred them that nothing was wrong. Knowing that my days of sun and splendor and adventure in Laie were numbered and few, I began to regret all the things I never had time to do. Sure, I had been cliff jumping, kayaking, waterfall climbing, mountain conquering, crab hunting, sky diving and such, but there was so much that I hadn't done, so much I wanted to do and never had the time.
That Tuesday I requested discontinuance for Winter Semester. I changed my flight reservations. I gave up on all the plans I had for next year.
Then I realized how STUPID I was acting.
My name is Daxon Tanner Levine. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I am a worthy bearer of the Melchizedek Priesthood and have the authority to act in God's name. God is my King and my Father. I am his son and he is looking out for me. He has a greater plan for me that is more wonderful than anything I can comprehend. My Savior Jesus Christ died for my many sins so that I may be found worthy to be numbered among God's elect. The Holy Spirit continually speaks to me and whispers revelation from on high. More remarkable still is that despite all of my faults I can still tune myself in to listen! The Lord has work for me to do and I may be an insturment in His hands to save more of His children. I cannot wait until it is convenient for me! When the Lord calls, I should have the strength to heed and to listen. Will I be asked to sacrifice? Yes. Will I find the task be difficult? Yes. Will the Lord multiply my blessings for my devoted service? YES.
On that note, my friends and family, I am pleased to announce that I have been found worthy to serve as a full-time missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. My stake president is submitting my mission papers this week! My Mission Call will make it home for Christmas before I do and my availability date is set for January 15th.
For the eight or so months I have had a pretty solid plan. It went something like this:
- Fall semester at BYU-Hawaii
- Put in mission papers around Christmas time
- Open Mission Call during Christmas Break with friends and family in Utah
- Winter Semester at BYU-Hawaii
- Leave for a mission (availability date April 15th)
And then THIS happened:
Last Sunday was a Sunday unlike any other. As everyone in Hawaii knows, the Laie Temple has been closed for renovations for the past two or so years. Last Sunday, November 21, marked the Rededication of the Lord's Temple in Laie. I was there in the first session of the Rededication, and as I was listening to the Prophet speak, I felt a prompting whisper to me.
You need to leave for your mission.
I knew I was procrastinating my mission service. I had good reasons too. Everything was in place for me to return to BYU-H next January. My contracts were signed, my classes were registered, I was planning on founding a new club, auditioning for the musical, continuing my voice lessons. More than anything else, I was looking forward to Winter Semester on the Windward Shore of Oahu.
You need to leave for your mission.
I tried arguing with it, justifying my perceived righteous course of action. I thought I wasn't ready to leave. True, I was preparing in some respects, but what about people skills and appreciation of other cultures? What better place to hone those missionary skills than at BYU-H and serve a mission in the spring?
You NEED to leave for your mission.
I have friends here! I argued. Making friends has never been easy for me (despite what any of you readers might think). The Lord had blessed me with my friends at BYU-H after much praying and pleading on my part. Surely the Lord wouldn't want me to completely leave them in a month's time, and perhaps never see them again.
There are other people in the world who need you, and they need you now.
I tried everything to justify staying for another semester. So caught up I was in my own head that I couldn't even hear the words that Pres. Thomas S. Monson was speaking at the Laie Temple Rededication. And then the choir began to sing.
Immediately the Spirit of the Lord washed over me with overwhelming force. It was then that I knew.
I need to leave for my mission.
It took me two days to finally come to grips with myself. There was much internal murmuring, and my outward demeanor was an unhappy one. Many of my friends (who I knew I would be leaving behind, perhaps for good), asked to know what was wrong. I shook off their attempts at consolation, smiled a fake smile, and reassurred them that nothing was wrong. Knowing that my days of sun and splendor and adventure in Laie were numbered and few, I began to regret all the things I never had time to do. Sure, I had been cliff jumping, kayaking, waterfall climbing, mountain conquering, crab hunting, sky diving and such, but there was so much that I hadn't done, so much I wanted to do and never had the time.
That Tuesday I requested discontinuance for Winter Semester. I changed my flight reservations. I gave up on all the plans I had for next year.
Then I realized how STUPID I was acting.
My name is Daxon Tanner Levine. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I am a worthy bearer of the Melchizedek Priesthood and have the authority to act in God's name. God is my King and my Father. I am his son and he is looking out for me. He has a greater plan for me that is more wonderful than anything I can comprehend. My Savior Jesus Christ died for my many sins so that I may be found worthy to be numbered among God's elect. The Holy Spirit continually speaks to me and whispers revelation from on high. More remarkable still is that despite all of my faults I can still tune myself in to listen! The Lord has work for me to do and I may be an insturment in His hands to save more of His children. I cannot wait until it is convenient for me! When the Lord calls, I should have the strength to heed and to listen. Will I be asked to sacrifice? Yes. Will I find the task be difficult? Yes. Will the Lord multiply my blessings for my devoted service? YES.
On that note, my friends and family, I am pleased to announce that I have been found worthy to serve as a full-time missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. My stake president is submitting my mission papers this week! My Mission Call will make it home for Christmas before I do and my availability date is set for January 15th.
