My Mission--In 10 Posts or Less

This is a series of posts that will go through a few of the experiences that I had while on my mission. They are true and they are accurate. I have tried to make them as honest as possible, while protecting the names of those who are involved. I am writing these things down in a public setting for two reasons: (1) To keep a record of my experiences in electronic format and (2) to tell my story to the world.

*Warning* I've tried to "smooth" over some details, but read at your own risk.

Getting What I Wanted

In the Mormon culture, we're told to accept wherever the Lord will call us to serve. I knew I would go anywhere, but if I was going to move away for 2 years, I wanted to go somewhere I would enjoy! So, I kind of made a wishlist.

I prayed that I would go somewhere that:

• Had castles
• Spoke a foreign language
• Had a great history
• Was in Europe

When I finally received my call to the Portugal Lisbon mission, I knew my prayer was answered! Portugal is in Europe, has a great history, they speak Portuguese and they have castles! I was ecstatic.

Most of my friends had left and gone on their missions, so I was home alone for about 3 months with my family. Granted, I love my family, but they were bugging me and I am sure that I was bugging them.

A few months before my mission, I wrote in my journal, "I still struggle with you-know-what [I was too afraid to use the word homosexuality], so I am a little afraid to go on my mission. But, I know with the Lord's help, these feelings can be diminished."

The MTC (Missionary Training Center)

Apparently, about 7 days into being at the MTC, I wrote "A mission is a great thing for me. It's going to help with me and my struggles. I know it is. It already has." Boy, was I in for a surprise!

One day, I was a little late getting ready in the morning so the showers were a little emptier than usual. I stepped in and was immediately scalded from the hot water that was apparently un-adjustable. Now, I don't want you to think I'm a freak, but here's what happened.

When I was in the MTC, the Tree of Life showers no longer existed. Instead, they had created stalls around the "trunk" of the tree. However, near the faucets was a space in the stall so the board could connect to the other board. In that space, I could see into the other persons stall and vice versa. That morning, as I was showering, I noticed something strange. I looked through the little opening and saw the other elder--who I did not know--hmmm...to put it lightly...flogging uncle fester...if you know what I mean.

Honestly, I couldn't take my eyes away. I don't know if he was looking at me through the same space or thinking about his girlfriend, but it was distracting. He finished and I quickly stepped away from the water that pooled around my feet before it went into the drain. I stopped my shower, toweled off, and quickly got out of there as fast as I could before I figured out who it was.

I tried not to think about that experience for the rest of my stay at the MTC and the rest of my mission. I wrote in my journal, "I've seen something happen at the MTC that makes me pray that the elders who are struggling with M will hopefully get over it. But, it kind of sparked some old flames..."

When Elder Samburg* came into the MTC those small flames grew into a fire.

~End of Part 1

*name changed out of respect.