A Life That is Faithful, A Life That is True

              I have had an incredible week! I woke up this morning with so much gratitude in my heart. I had so many opportunities to become better and learn from the people around me. I made new friends and was able to see friends I hadn’t seen in a really long time (Welcome home Max!). I have been thinking a lot about the people the Lord puts in our lives and why He does it. I have a strong conviction that all the people the Lord puts in our lives are meant to teach us something. There have been so many people in my life who have helped me get to where I am today, and continue to help me become all that I want to become. They are tender mercies from a Father in Heaven that loves me. At the end of my mission, I wrote a poem that stands as my pledge to all those who have made me who I am. I had always struggled with how I would ever repay all those that had done so much for me until one day I realized the most powerful way to show my gratitude: live a life that honors all that they taught me. With that feeling in my heart, I wrote the following:

Faithful and True

I’ve often thought what I could give

To you who taught me how to live

From parents, leaders, teachers, friends

To God himself, my thanks extends

You taught me courage, strength, and love

As though directly from above

Faith and hope and service too

How to be faithful, how to be true

Your words and actions, my course’s guide

And never failing at my side

You’ve shaped my life that I may be

All that the Lord desires of me

You gave up time and energy

That my mentor you could be

A northern star throughout my life

Ever constant through trouble and strife

How can I repay sacrifice?

When such a gift is without  price,

Then in my heart comes what I could give,

“All my love through the way I live”

And so I promise you my all

To rise and stand even if I fall

To firmly pursue the given course

Making love my driving force

To bless and rescue all in reach

And give to all that me beseech

To do my duty and fulfill my part

That I might gain a shepherd’s heart

To lose my life to save a soul,

Lift a heart, and make one whole

To cast off Satan’s wicked bands

That on earth I can be Christ’s hands

To be a man who gives his life

For the happiness of child and wife

With virtue, kindness, and gentle care

I’ll lead my family through earnest prayer

Yes, I cannot give you gifts of gold

Nor could such things my real love hold

So my gift of thanks to you

Is a life that is faithful, a life that is true

I am so grateful for all the angels in my life who take the shape of parents, sisters, cousins, uncles, aunts, grandparents, friends, coaches, leaders, and teachers. All have made an indelible impression upon my life. Thank you. I promise to honor this pledge to each one of you.