Mmmm...Humble Pie!

Recently we had a zone training in Great Falls MT.  This was my first time at a zone training as an Assistant to the President.  We left from Billings and had to get up and hit the road around 5:10am or something to that effect as the meeting started at 9:30am (Mountain Daylight time).  We made it there alright and the ride was absolutely breath taking at parts.  It was such green beautiful country.
    We made it there with no difficulty the meeting commenced; I sat nervously, anxiously awaiting for my turn when it came.  I thought of things I might say, or what would the Elders and Sisters like to hear?  As I went through it in my head I came to the point that I felt I was prepared and this was going to be a cake walk.  I mean come on all I had to hit on was exercising in the morning and companion study.  Well soon enough it was mine and Elder Catron's turn to speak.  We had planned on being brief and our presentation wasn't going to exceed fifteen minutes.  Piece of cake right? More like a piece of pie...very humble pie.

     I felt like a frozen deer in the headlights up there!  I felt like I was stuttering and going all over the place with my thoughts.  I then started to ask an Elder about his work out routine in the morning, this wasn't planned and he looked like a deer in the headlights too.  I was so embarrassed with myself, but I think I learned the lesson the Lord was trying to teach me.    I may be making more of this than there really is, but I felt like I had butchered it.  I think the words President Hinckley shared with someone who did something similar in a different situation, are appropriate.  "If you would have went up [to speak] the way you came down, you would have came down the way you went up"  Those are the wise words of a prophet!  And boy is it true.
 

Highs and Lows of a mission.

The author of this was unknown but I think this poem is more accurate than ever in describing the indescribable feelings that the mission gives you.  This poem is entitled "The Highs and Lows of a mission"

A mission is a strange experience
It is a trial and a test.
A mission throws at you the worst
Yet, teaches you the best.
I've never been so happy,
I've never been so depressed.
I've never felt so forsaken,
I've never felt so blessed.
I've never been so confused,
Things have never been so clear.
I've never felt my Heavenly Father so distant,
He's never been so near.
I've never been so discouraged,
I've never been so full of hope.
I feel I could go on for forever,
I think I've come to the end of my rope.
I've never had it quite so easy,
I've never had it quite so tough.
Things have never been so smooth,
Things have never been so rough.
I've never traveled through more valleys,
I've never ascended more peaks.
I've never met so many nice people.
I've never met so many freaks!
I've never had so many ups,
I've never had so many downs.
I've never worn so many smiles,
I've never had so many frowns.
I've never been so lonely,
I've never had so many friends.
BOY, I hope this is over soon,
GOSH, I hope this never ends.

AMEN to whoever wrote this!  I definitely can say I have experienced every line from this poem on my mission.  I am so grateful I made the decision to come out on one, and that I have the opportunity to serve the Lord full-time for two years!  If you're debating whether or not you want to go on a mission then hear my words.  I say GO!!!!!!!!  IT IS THE BEST TWO YEARS!