Men are That They Might Have Joy
Holy cow! I cannot believe how great I've felt the last few days! Like I said previously, it's been a long first month. A lot of this sadness came from a fear that Landon would get so busy in the work that he'd forget all about me. I was also afraid that with his new life, I'd get left behind. I mean, he's going to have the most amazing experience and I felt like it would change him in a way that we would no longer be compatible. Goodness gracious, am I silly!!

 

This time that you have apart can honestly bring you closer together if you let it. I know that it will still be difficult at times, but I can honestly say that I am more in love with Landon today than I was when he left over a month ago. Somehow, by sharing his experiences as a missionary with me, I feel a sense of accomplishment. As his testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ grows, mine does as well. I can see the joy that the gospel has brought to him as a missionary and I know that it can do that for all who accept this gospel. I can't feel luckier to have a guy who knows the importance of serving the Lord full time for two years. I know that when we rely on the Lord and have faith in His Plan of Happiness that we can truly find happiness throughout every part of our lives.

Tips for Other Missionary Girlfriends
- Reminisce on all of the wonderful times you and your fella have had
- Read his letters and see how his testimony is growing while he is on his mission (this one has really helped me)
- Keep a separate journal specifically for your elder to give him when he gets home. My journal to Landon has a bunch of mushy stuff that I don't want to send him, but need to get out in the open. (I keep mine on the computer because I'm moving around a lot and don't want to accidentally misplace it)
- Although it may be annoying to other people, it's alright to get all decked out in missionary girlfriend attire. I've got a pillowcase, missionary Build A Bear (that I made with Landon before he left), a slideshow of him and me on my computer, and a bunch of pictures that I will put up as soon as I get back out to school.
- Try to only send supportive messages to your elder. I know it's so tough because we are girls and like to talk about our feelings, but this IS NOT OUR TIME. This is the time for him to give completely to the Lord. We need to remember that this is where they are supposed to be and help them as they are going through all of these new experiences.
- Constantly tell your missionary how proud you are of him and all the accomplishments that he is having. In my tape that Landon just sent me, he told me that he could not tell me how much it helped him that I was being so supportive. There were missionaries he knew that didn't have such supportive girlfriends that were having a much more difficult time.