I recently returned from my full-time volunteer service in the India Bengaluru Mission. It has been almost four months since I am back, and yet, it feels like a distant memory. The transition back to normal life has been challenging, missing the routine, the companionship, and the daily adventures of full-time volunteer service.
In those initial days at home, I grappled with a sense of loneliness and a longing for the mission field. Feeling a bit lost, the lessons I learned in my service came to my rescue. I remembered the importance of relying on Jesus Christ, no matter the circumstances. This realisation helped me overcome the initial pangs of post-mission blues and encouraged me to lean on Christ and embrace the holy habits ingrained during my service. Recreating my service schedule, I began waking up at 6:30 am, engaging in personal and family studies, mirroring the routine that had become second nature during my mission. Despite the change from companionship studies to family studies, the structure provided a sense of purpose.
Adding to this post-service journey, I received a calling as a seminary teacher in my ward. This responsibility reignited the spirit within me, as I now share the word of God with young individuals. During my release interview, President Bushi said I was not returning home from being a full-time volunteer but transitioning into a new life. This sentiment has stuck with me. The principles he shared serve as a constant reminder that being a disciple of Jesus Christ does not end with the completion of a mission; it is a lifelong commitment. I feel blessed to have served for 18 months, experiencing the love and affection of the people I encountered.
The primary takeaway from my service is the testimony I gained in the love of God the Father, our Saviour Jesus Christ, and the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon and the restored gospel. I know that God loves each one of us and desires to help us eliminate darkness from our lives through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. My invitation to you all is to steadfastly press forward, hold to the iron rod, and honour the covenants made with God. In doing so, you will witness and relish the mighty works of God in your life.
