Dear Stefan,
Today is your farewell. Usually saying goodbye is something sad, but right now I’m just so happy for you. Yes, it’s going to be 2 hard-working years, but the mission will shape you like nothing else can at home.
2. Consider your mission as an important chapter in your life and not as a detour. Enjoy every single minute. Your family loves you and will wait for you. Until then so many people will love you as a member of their family.
3. Your worthiness doesn’t depend on others’ behavior and decisions.
4. Just talk, talk and talk. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. You will be the first one to speak the language fluently.
6. Bring as many investigators to baptisms as you can. I have never met anyone who didn’t cry for the first time, including me. Life-changing experience.
7. Be there and be open when they need your help. I know they will.
8. Investigators will want to know a lot much about you, your family and your country. But they love to share their culture as well. Ask them. Talking about these things is so much fun and a great way to learn.
9. Family photo is a must. Every investigator is so excited about it. And your beautiful family will be a huge hit.
10. Don’t be discouraged when nothing seems to work. You have already planted little seeds. They will blossom one day.
+1 If you can, play the piano or sing hymns, you will be the coolest missionary ever.
Let me finish with my strong testimony on missionary work.
I know it is important.
I know the church wouldn’t be the same without it.
I know it can change lives.
I know the verse below is TRUE:
Hebrews 13:2 “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”
Good luck, Elder Lehnardt!
May God be with you,
Noémi
Annie
Oh, I love this. Chills.
Lisa
Simply speechless…love every photo and every word.
k
what an incredible post. my eyes are teary as i imagine him doing this work. i have never met him (nor anyone in your family) but the spirit is felt most strong in this post. he is going to so so great! ♥
p.s. i just LOVE the pin board, was that a gift or another one of your incredible ideas??? it’s a great idea, more on that please!
Christie
Beautiful letter, photos, and hearts. Love.
ellen
every missionary should read this post! it’s beautiful.
Chocolate on my Cranium
Noemi, such a poignant testimony to share with Stefan {and us!}.
Kim
Best of luck to Stefan. I hope you will post about his adventures!
Tracy
Crying. Beautiful. xo
Alison
Such wise, beautiful words.
Cath
Um, bawling. That verse from Hebrews did it. Noemi, you are such a noble soul. And Michelle, these photos capture the beauty of all you have done over the years to prepare Stefan. He is so blessed to take you with him in his heart. xo
Kayci
This is such a beautiful letter.
I love your blog, Michelle, and don’t usually comment but just admire from a distance. I decided too, because I know a missionary headed to Budapest, Hungary. I am going to tell her about your blog, hopefully that is okay.
Thank you for sharing a glimpse in to your beautiful family and life.