I entered the M.T.C. 25 years ago today.

[_bcspace]

I wonder if living life in denial is so great?

When you're ready to tell us what it's like, let me know.

[_Phaedrus Ut]

I was bored and speed read a lot of the journals. Did you end up marrying any of the girls waiting for you or writing to you?

[_Zadok]

I was bored and speed read a lot of the journals. Did you end up marrying any of the girls waiting for you or writing to you?

While attending BYU the year between 18 and 19, I met and fell head-over-heals in love. We were sure our relationship could withstand the two year separation, and that we were destined to spend out lives together. Indeed, part of my motivation for going on a mission was because my then girl friend was so enamored with the idea of marrying a returned missionary.

We corresponded for the full two years. She was at the airport to meet me when I returned triumphantly. A few days later on our first date after two years apart, she told me that she had met, fallen in love with, and was engaged to be married to someone else.

Reminds me of the lyrics of "What a Fool Believes" by the Doobie Brothers.

He came from somewhere back in her long ago
The sentimental fool don't see
Tryin' hard to recreate
What had yet to be created once in her life
She musters a smile
For his nostalgic tale
Never coming near what he wanted to say
Only to realize
It never really was

She had a place in his life
He never made her think twice
As he rises to her apology
Anybody else would surely know
He's watching her go

But what a fool believes he sees
No wise man has the power to reason away
What seems to be
Is always better than nothing
And nothing at all keeps sending him...

Somewhere back in her long ago
Where he can still believe there's a place in her life
Someday, somewhere, she will return

She had a place in his life
He never made her think twice
As he rises to her apology
Anybody else would surely know
He's watching her go

But what a fool believes he sees
No wise man has the power to reason away
What seems to be
Is always better than nothing
There's nothing at all
But what a fool believes he sees...

[_mackay11]

17 years ago today.

How time flies...

[_Paloma]

Thanks, Tator, Ceeboo, and Zadok. I'm a little embarrassed about sharing that now. I didn't realize how much this thread would touch me and how emotional it would make me. Made my day better reading everyone's experiences. :-)

Seeing the powerful emotional effect that this thread's had on you reminds me of why I, a never-mo, have been so interested in reading about Mormon news and experiences over the last several years.

I got to know some LDS missionaries really well over ten years ago, and found myself providing as much support as I could when I learned of some of the challenges they were going through on their mission. There was one in particular who was struggling with painful issues at home as well as difficult situations on the mission field. (I won't go into detail as it's not my story to tell. But the intensity of my involvement then has lasted over the years and must continue to fuel my interest in Mormonism, as here I still am!) This one RM is still somewhat plagued by nightmares and has had extensive counselling, but has also moved into a much better place psychologically and emotionally.

So I know a bit about what a powerful effect the missionary experience can have.

[_Zadok]

I got to know some LDS missionaries really well over ten years ago, and found myself providing as much support as I could when I learned of some of the challenges they were going through on their mission.

People like you are true angels of mercy to these missionaries. PLEASE keep up the good work!!!

[_Dr. Shades]

mledbetter:

Thank you for sharing such a personal story. I can relate just a little bit; part of the reason I joined the Marines was for the same reason you went on a mission.

[_moksha]

My pre-frontal cortex came on-line before I reached the missionary age. However, if this had not happened, I would probably have a delightful story of the Dubuque, Iowa Mission. Think I would have baptized around 34.3 people, and would have assisted in talking at least one cow down from a barn roof. Does that sound about right?

Actually, I wonder whether a mission would have a positive thing for me. Some people have described it as the best two years of their lives while others, who I have spoken with at length while recovering from mental health issues which occurred on their mission, have noted how stressful it was for them

In the last 10 years, I have taken the initiative of bringing three sets of missionaries to McDonald's for burgers. I have enjoyed hearing them testify to me. I admire how they have dedicated two years of their lives for a cause they believe in so fervently. Wish the bulk of that time they could have spent doing volunteer community service. Over time they would have built a huge slush fund of good will toward Mormons that I could have vicariously shared.

[_Zadok]

My pre-frontal cortex came on-line before I reached the missionary age. However, if this had not happened, I would probably have a delightful story of the Dubuque, Iowa Mission. Think I would have baptized around 34.3 people, and would have assisted in talking at least one cow down from a barn roof. Does that sound about right?

Not quite. Going to Dubuque, Iowa would more likely have resulted in 3.43 baptisms, (just a simple decimal placement error), and getting the cow off the barn roof would have resulted in some rather extensive epistemological discussions with your companion, which if pursued logically could have created cognitive dissonance of a global proportion.

(Answering the question, "How did the cow get on the roof?" has been known to cause irreparable harm to young missionaries minds).

[_sock puppet]

My pre-frontal cortex came on-line before I reached the missionary age.

Lucky you. You cogitated yourself two years of life.