These past 2 years that I have had to serve the Lord have been amazing! I don't think I could have done anything else to grow so much! I have learned so many things on my mission and I would love to just share a few of these things.
1. "It's not whether the storm will hit or not, but it's about what you will do during the storm." In life we all are going to face trials. That is a given, but it's about how we react to trials. If you react to them with a good attitude and with faith, it may seem hard at that time, but eventually you will come away a better person. But if you have a poor attitude and the why me attitude, then you are going to be dragging through it. I have done both. I have had the why me attitude, and it just makes it ten times worse than it would if I had only had a good attitude towards the trial.
2. I have learned personally that by keeping the commandments that you will find joy in what you do. I was talking with a missionary and we were talking about disobedient missionaries. They seem to do just as well as missionaries that are being obedient. In my mind I couldn't understand why. You always hear that obedience brings blessings, but exact obedience brings miracles. But I just wasn't seeing that. In my mind I thought as long as I am working hard that it's okay to do what I want. When that was happening, you know what? I was not happy with the work. I would say this sucks and I wasn't finding that joy! I had a pretty good awakening and began on a new path. The miracle that I witnessed when I made that change with my attitude towards the work!! I freaking love missionary work! It's the greatest thing ever. If you asked me that when I wasn't at my best I would probably say playing football was ten times better. But that has changed! The miracles that we can witness by being obedient is a state of happiness and that goes a long with the first thing I learned.
3. I have learned that the Atonement of Jesus Christ is real in our lives! It doesn't matter where you are at right now in life, but the thing that matters is what direction you are heading. For example, if you are a drug addict and you are on a path of repentance and change, that is what matters. If we are heading back to Christ he is always waiting for us with his arms wide open to receive us. He won't force us to come back to him, we always have our agency. Sometimes we will be given trials to humble us, to help us hit rock bottom so that we will realize we need to make that change. But as long as we are making the trek back, it doesn't matter how fast or slow you are going, or even crawling but as long as you are heading in the right direction is what matters.
Those are few of the many lessons that I have learned these past 2 years! I have loved the people here in Mississippi and in Louisiana. They have treated me so great! I am for sure leaving a part of my heart here, but I am super excited to be home to make the next steps in life. Thank you for everyone that has supported me! I have felt it so much and know that you have or will be blessed for it! And thank you for all those who actually read through my emails I sent out each week! Y'all are the real MVP's! I get home in 2 days 5 hours and 45 minutes! I am so excited to see my family! Like it's unreal!! I love each and everyone of you!!!
Love Elder Corbett
