The miracle of a mission is the miracle of change

Last week was incredible for our zone. We had 2 baptisms from the Samoan ward and 1 from another ward and it really showed not just the work of the missionaries but also the fact that the Lord has prepared people to receive the restored gospel. My companion Elder Newell and I are seeing miracles too with families in the ward and people that we meet with. 

We found one Maori guy who I could tell was just going through a really rough time with his family life and as we got talking about our message on Jesus Christ and especially his atonement and it really opened him up. He told us about how he wants to change some things in his life and we assured him that through our message he can definitely do that. It's experiences like that that really make me grateful for being a missionary because you get a glimpse on the missionary work that Christ did. My companion and I were just talking about our missions and the kind of impact that it has on someones life as they serve. He said something really interesting, he said that as you are obedient to rules and work hard the work of the Lord naturally changes you, you yourself just become better as you leave behind all other personal affairs and dedicate all your time and attention to serving the Lord. We talked about the change that a person can experience on their missions because he's finishing his mission very soon, and he told me that a mission is the best gift the Lord can give for a brand new young adult boy or girl who are trying to find themselves in this world.

 I'm experiencing a lot of miraculous changes too in regards to how I think about others, how and why I serve etc. The miracle of a mission is the miracle of change, that's one miracle that I will testify and email about most of all. D&C 4 focuses on the person serving a mission for the lord, and how he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not but bringeth salvation to HIS soul. I'm so grateful for what the Lord has done for me on my mission. Love Elder Kaanapu