As you come to the one-year
mark of your mission, I am sending you a camel to remind you how far you have
come, and where you are going. There are many similar characteristics of a
great missionary and a camel…..
The
first is the "hump". Yes, you have crossed the mark and now are over
the hump of the first year. But remember
the hump of a camel is used to store food for the long journey. Camels can go for long periods of time without
food, but he must store his food in his hump.
A missionary has learned from so many experiences, but a wise missionary
will store the knowledge he has gained,
and put it to greater use the second half of his mission.
Another
important symbol, is what the camel does to be prepared to carry his load for his Master. A camel sometimes protests his heavy load, but he drops to knees for his Master, and once
started, he patiently carries his
load. As a missionary sometimes the
load seems heavy and difficult to carry.
But when you drop to your knees and succumb to the Master's will, he will carefully lead you and you can bear
the load patiently, and do your Fathers in Heaven's work as he would have you
do. This is why the camel's knees are
heavily padded. As a Missionary, your knees
are calloused from the many hours of kneeling in prayer.
The camel
has high set eyes that enable him to see long distances. A missionary has his eyes set on higher
things, he follows the Spirit. That enables him to see the Children of God,
those who are seeking answers, and he teaches them the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The camel
has broad, two-toed feet that keep it from sinking in desert sand. A missionary has a broad knowledge and a firm
testimony of the Gospel. This enables
him to teach with boldness and stand firm in his testimony. The people you teach do not yet have the
blessing of such a sure-foot, but as you teach with love and the Spirit, you
will help them gain their own testimony that will help them walk on firmer
ground. One that will lead them back to
their Father in Heaven.
So you
see, a Missionary has a lot in common with a camel. Put this camel where you can see it
often. Dedicate yourself to do as the
camel does. Serve your Master well and
patiently over the long journey. You
have come a long way, there is still
much ground to cover. Continue to move
forward, serving with love, until your
mission is complete and your Father in
Heaven will say, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant"
I am very proud of you and all you have
accomplished this year. Continue to be
faithful, obedient, and dedicated and you will always have great success. Heavenly Father blesses his missionaries and
leads His work. Walk in faith and trust
in Him –- he knows your needs and will sanctify your service. I LOVE you so very much! Mom♥