#MissionaryStoryMonday: My Second Area

I love my mission and every moment. Even those three months with the companion from hell that I would punch in the face today if I saw him. Most of my memories though are from my second area. It's not just that I had a great time there and was able to accomplish a lot of work, but I have a lot of fond memories from there because I was there for so long. And by long, I mean long.

I'm not exaggerating this one bit, but I was there for literally one year. HALF of my mission was in this one area. Companions and other Elders in the house would come and go, but I would carry on. And this was a small area. I would estimate approximately 2 miles by 5 miles. I really did knock on every door and most I hit twice. We could be contacting someone and then I would cut my companion off and we would leave. When my companion asked why, I told him that the person gave us a bad address because that's how well I knew the streets.

I had four companions there and we each enjoyed success. In fact, I was more successful as a missionary towards the end of my service there compared to the beginning. You would think it would the other way around due to burn-out from being in the same small place. But no, just the opposite (I was burnt out though).

The bishop there was great. The ward was great. We had an awesome apartment. Everything about the place was amazing. I was there so long I consider myself an honorary citizen of the city.

I always wondered though: why I was there so long? Other missionaries would joke around and say my picture of the Mission President's wall was behind the door so he always forgot about me. Now I had some thoughts as to why, but I was never sure. So during my exit interview with my Mission President before going home I asked him, "why was I in [INSERT AREA HERE] for so long?" I'll never forget his response: "I don't know, I thought you knew."

This has always stuck with me. The Lord has everything happen for a reason and each experience we have, whether good, bad, or neutral, is for our benefit. I also know that He will indicate to us the why behind it when we are ready and if we ask for the answer.