Mission- Where did you go and would you do it again?

[omegaseamaster75]

It is often described that the mission is the two best/worth while years of your life. What have your collective experiences been. 

 

For me I served in Mexico and can say besides my marriage and  kids it was the best two years. In fact I would go back and do it all over again with out hesitation.

[Guest]

I would have gone if the age had been moved back 20ish years ago. Hubby went to San Francisco/Oakland in the early 90's, and loved the work. He'd definitely do it again, and we hope to serve at least one mission together in the future. 

[Palerider]

Loved my mission and would want to go back and serve in Leeds England again.

[slamjet]

Mission was great, but I wouldn't want to go back and do it again.  It was incredibly difficult for me.  But hey, if I ever get remarried, I'd go. 

[prisonchaplain]

It wasn't the best two years of my life, but, apart from marriage and kids, it was the best six years.  :-)  Campus ministry in Korea, in the tumultuous late 80s to early 90s was a unique experience.  The country went from military dictatorship to a democratically elected civilian president, from a newly industrialized country to one that we look to with some envy.  If family circumstances allowed, I'd absolutely go back.  However, Korea circa 2014 would probably be like starting all over again--it has changed so drastically. 

[mdfxdb]

Bolivia, and yes I would do it again.

[Just_A_Guy]

Brazil.  It was--bar none--the worst two years of my life.

 

If I could re-live that period of my life, I'd still serve the mission again--because it was a formative experience for me, and I needed it--but I think I'd be a lot less concerned about whether I was outwardly deemed an "obedient" missionary.  I'd quit tracting, get far more involved in the congregations where I served (and INSIST that the bishop incorporate us in a meaningful way), spend 75% of my time doing community service, learn to tune out whatever my ZLs and APs said, take the initiative to implement new ideas/techniques without waiting for the go-ahead from the mission office, and blackmail my MP into not transferring me unless I'd been in an area for at least six months.  In short--I'd do it again; but I'd probably get sent home pretty early on. 

 

As a senior, with Just_A_Girl?  Yeah, we'll probably go.  She wants the experience (we got married before she was mission age), and I'd kind of like to go again and try to do things differently.

Edited September 2, 2014 by Just_A_Guy

[Wingnut]

+1 to everything JAG said about changes.

[mrmarklin]

Yes JAG, I too wasted a lot of time on my mission.

I went long enough ago that we didn't have all the silly rules extant today. If I had to serve under the current set of rules I would not go.

[Palerider]

I needed the Mission and my Mission President in my life at the time I went. I just learned a lot.

[classylady]

I served in the Germany Duesseldorf mission under a very strict and proper German Mission President.  We had rules placed on us that went above and beyond the regular mission rules.  I could handle it.  Some of the missionaries really struggled with those rules.  For example, we were instructed to only read the Book of Mormon.  I remember one of the General Authorities came and told our MP that the missionaries needed to be reading the other scriptures besides just the BofM.  I was happy to see that rule lifted.

 

My mission was the best two years of my life.  It was also the hardest.  Would I do it again?  Yes!!!  In fact, my husband and I are currently thinking of going on a full time mission in about two to three years.  I am so excited.  My husband did not serve a mission.  I think he's in for a big eye-opener and life changing experience.

[mirkwood]

Pennsylvania Philadelphia.  It was not the best two years of my life.  I think those who say that have very sad lives.  Of course I would go again, I affected people's lives, how could I not go and possibly deny them those opportunities?

[classylady]

I will always remember a homecoming talk given by a return missionary several years before my mission. I don't even remember his name. But, while bearing his testimony he said he could not explain the love he had for the people he taught, and the joy he felt at their baptism.  I remember thinking,"I want to feel that joy and that love." At my farewell, my oldest brother (a return missionary) spoke, and he said "If you knew how hard this is going to be, you probably wouldn't go." I was naive and had no idea what I was in for.  I had to learn discipline, which I admit is one of my weaknesses.

 

For me, the reason it was the best two years, is because of the Spirit I felt doing the Lord's work. With all my heart, I loved the German people I served. I have an affinity with anything German. I love visiting Germany (now 30+ years later) and hearing about the members I knew or taught while there. I can understand the joy Alma and Ammon had in the Book of Mormon at the conversions of the people they taught. I have felt that joy! We didn't have many baptisms in Germany, but the few we had were wonderful.

 

Was my mission hard?  One of the hardest experiences of my life.  I learned what my faults and weaknesses were.  There were many heart-breaking moments as well.  Not only did I experience love and joy, I also experienced deep sorrow and pain.  And, as I think about it, there were probably more sorrowful times than joyful times.  Also, the mission was physically exhausting. But the joyful times make up for all the sorrows and heartaches. I want to serve again. I want to again feel the joy of seeing someone I taught the gospel to, enter the waters of baptism.

[Urstadt]

Las Vegas West. No, I wouldn't.

[Daybreak79]

Canada Toronto East Mission (2001-2003) and yes I would do it all again! Best two years of my life? No, but I would say it was the best two years for my life.

[estradling75]

I served in the Washington DC mission.  It was the best two years of my life at the time.  I've since gotten married and had kids and so my best two years have altered accordingly.

[Blackmarch]

Michigan Detroit Mission and yes i would do it again.

[Windseeker]

Japan and yes.

 

What JAG outlined reminds me of the Best Two Years. My first companion was very much like the Senior Companion in that movie. He was super hard working and successful even though everyone mission wide was under the impression he was super wild. I ended up allot like him. My dream was to be dumped in a remote city and left alone, but the more I tried to avoid leadership the more it was given me. I'm grateful for my mission and even though it was hard I think it was the best two years FOR my life.

[Str8Shooter]

I served in the deep south. I would go again.