Tyson's last email as a Missionary. 12/3/09

Well Family just as most of you have noted, this is my final email to you as missionary.
First I will start with the sad note so then I can talk just about the good stuff. Sorry to hear about the Utes game. Sounds pretty rough.

Now on to the other things of life. As much as I have tried to avoid it this has been quite the time of reflection. I cannot believe that it is basically over. Our schedule is pretty packed so time will fly by. Mom made a reference in her emails to the question of, “what if I had not served a mission?” The funny thing is that I have been thinking about that. I know I would not be anywhere near who I am today, that is for sure. I might just be semi-active in church and have a very faint testimony. I cannot believe the difference in my head when I compare the two different versions of myself. The one that decided to serve a mission and the one who justified his way into not serving a mission. With the one that did not go, all I see is a kid that is full of missed opportunities, self centered, and to be honest no real idea about his purpose in life. A kid that fills his time with distractions and the unimportant things of life. May I just bear my testimony that Jesus truly is the Christ the Savior and Redeemer of the world. He truly did snatch me from the lost state that I was in. I am just blown away with what has taken place in my life over the past two years. Who I am today is nowhere near who I was two years ago. How I love this gospel and how it is mercifully given to us. I am grateful for the sacrifices of those that have walked my path before me to pave the way. Many have given their life to this message, including the Prophet that was chosen by God to restore the precious message of the restoring of Christ’s very church to the earth. But what I am most grateful for is the Atoning sacrifice of my Savior Jesus Christ. I cannot believe how much He has done for me - to allow me to overcome so many weaknesses and to be so patient with me. I have so much love for my Heavenly Father, My Savior Jesus Christ, and absolutely I am grateful for the Holy Ghost which testifies of their divinity. I am amazed at the things I have seen over the past two years. Someone asked me recently "so what do think your parents will think when they see you." I said "I hope they don’t recognize me" and after a pause I then was taught by the spirit and I said, "But I hope My Father in Heaven can recognize me more fully now." I was taught something very important by that comment. I am in the process of becoming the true potential of what my Heavenly Father knows I can and should be. I love this Gospel and I am so grateful for it. I will never be able to repay what I have been given. I will always be in debt, isn’t it wonderful?

I love you all.
May God recognize you more fully.

Love,
Elder Andrus