ONE YEAR LATER (Part one)

I had been waiting for this moment. I stood atop the stairs, waiting nervously. I looked to my left and the temple square sisters were busy studying. I looked to my right and Elder Marrott was stood at the top of the stairs. I was the last in line. Elder Hollingsworth, Elder Rangus, and Elder Shaw stood in front of me. Below me, I could hear the chatter of 40 young elders and another 40 people. I experienced 17 or so of these before. And each time, I had been at the bottom, waiting for the elders to come downstairs, finally it was my time.

The day started off great as I said goodbye to my companion of 3 months, Elder Showgren. I knew I would miss him a ton. We had a rocky companionship, but it ended on a high note. Elder Shaw and I were companions for the day. That brought back memories, considering he trained me and we spent two months together. We first stopped at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building to turn in our stuff and take pictures with President Fenn. We had our exit interviews, had lunch with everyone and then finished off by being released on our own. We spent the rest of the day visiting missionaries, packing and walking around Temple Square and City Creek.

But, as I stood at the top of the stairs, none of that mattered. A plethora of things fluttered through my mind. This gave me the opportunity to reflect on the last two years. We never thought I would survive the whole time. But, because of a mission president who believed in repentance and the atonement, I left when the Lord wanted me to leave. 

As I continued to stand atop those stairs, I looked towards the future. I was anxious for what the future would hold. I was going back to "normal" life. I was understandably nervous. I had spent the past two years living a completely abnormal life. Mission life is unique and is hard. I spent two years with a companion, on a strict schedule, following all these rules, and living a hard life. I had planned on going straight to college, finding a girl, and living life. But, life took a sudden turn.

In the middle of these thoughts, my time arrived. Elder Skaggs was about to see his family. I prepared, not ready for what was about to happen, not knowing what life would throw my way. I was about to embark into a whole other journey. Hoping for the best in my future, I trotted down the stairs into my mothers arms. The tears streamed, the crowd cheered and clapped. I looked around and saw all the elders I would miss and I created so many memories with them. However, I had to say goodbye and hurry on my way

We went to the Old Spaghetti Factory, said goodbye to my siblings, headed to the hotel and then went to sleep. We woke up in the morning and flew home. Got back to Temecula and I got released. I was finally not a missionary. It was a bittersweet moment. I immediately missed my mission. I missed the good vibes, feeling the spirit 24/7, missed the elders, my responsibilities, my district members, I missed everyone and everything. I missed Salt Lake. But, I was supposed to look to the future. I needed to look forward for the good that was supposed to happen.

When I arrived home, I had everything planned out. In two months, I would be in Rexburg, studying elementary education. Meeting new people, having in person class, and continuing to have fun. In five months, who knew? Maybe, I'd be on vacation with my family in Florida. But, in one year, February 25, 2021, I expected to be in Idaho. I expected to have a job, be living in Rexburg, hiking, tubing, playing in the snow, and having fun. I knew exactly what I was gonna do. NOTHING WAS GOING TO STOP IT. I was unstoppable. And surely nothing could stop it. Nothing at all. 

But, before we knew it, life was turned upside down. It changed. And nothing was the same...