Wake Me Up When September Ends

This week has been both one of the fastest and slowest weeks of my mission. Looking back at what’s happened, it seems like everything we did was ages ago, but at the same time I swore that I had another week or two after this one.

I don’t know what to do with myself.

On Monday we had an activity as a district where we went to the beach at Tanza. It was fun.  We played volleyball and such. It was interesting to me to see all of the fishing vessels, seeing that we were on a beach largely intended for fishermen.

Just the volleyball…

Going-Home Missionaries

We also had Zone Conference on Friday. That was surreal: as a going-home missionary I was part of the program. Since the beginning of my mission, I remember listening to the testimonies of going-home missionaries. In Zone Conferences, those going-home missionaries have always been given the opportunity to bear their testimony. It’s somewhat awe-inspiring for a brand new missionary to hear, and I remember wondering what I might say. Suddenly, there I was at the pulpit.

Members of the branch and the missionaries.

Where has the time gone?

This isn’t real to me yet, that there’s only one more week for me to serve as a full-time missionary. I feel like I’m in a dream, but I’m not sure on which end of the dream, the start or the finish. It seems like any moment now I’ll wake up to the sound of the alarm clock going off in Mandaluyong, with Elder Velasco jumping off of the top bunk and starting his funny looking work out that he always did.

It’s been great.

Until next week,

Elder Crocker

Philippines Cavite Mission

Elder David Neal Crocker

“My purpose as a missionary is to invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end.”

A Few Questions and Answers:

My Zone at the beach.

The fishing boats.

I’m in the twilight of my mission.

Ready to take some light into the darkness…

Q:What are your plans for this last week of your mission?

A:The only plan I have for next week is to bear my testimony.

Q:Does it feel like you’re close to the finish line?

A:There’s no finish line. Who I focus on merely changes. I don’t plan on dropping my purpose “my purpose as a missionary is to invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end.” That’ll still be my purpose when I go home.

Q:How did your 11 appointments you mentioned last Sunday go?

A:The appointments were great. We’re doing a lot of good work. There’s more work to do this week.

Q:How will you spend your last evening in the Philippines Cavite Mission?

A:I’m planning on pulling an all-nighter before my flight so I can sleep the whole plane ride home. I’m hoping that’ll combat the jet lag.

Q:Will you go home with a temple recommend in hand?

A:Yes, but it’s my responsibility to get a new one from President Teerlink. Technically, the one I have from President Tye is only valid as I am a missionary.

Q:How’s your luggage holding up for going-home?

A:There’s a hole in one of them, but otherwise still pretty solid.

Q:Are you capturing some of your feelings this past week in your journal?

A:Of course.

Q:Now’s the time to give Him your all. Work hard!

A:There’s no reason for me not to work hard. The work will keep going.

I love you. I’ll see if I can get an email out to you next Monday, but if not, I’ll give you a big hug when I see you.