Not in Kansas Anymore

I love movies from Hollywood's Golden Age, and one of my favorites is The Wizard Of Oz.

After a tornado transports Dorothy and her dog, Toto, to the mystical land of Oz, Dorothy utters the now famous line, "Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore."

Shortly after arriving to Tennessee, I shared Dorothy's sentiment: "I've a feeling I'm not in Utah anymore." As I walked down hallways in the crowded Nashville Airport, I realized I'd be spending the next two years of my life in a place I'd never been before, away from family, away from friends, away from home. The realization was at once painful and exciting.

I've lived in Tennessee for five months now. This place isn't so foreign anymore. The culture isn't as different as it used to be. Most importantly, I love the people here much more than I used to. Now, Tennessee didn't just happen to change in this five months, and neither did its culture. By and large, the people here probably haven't changed much, either.

So why is the geography and culture more familiar to me, and the people more lovable? It's because I've changed. I've done a lot of changing in five short months, and I expect I'll change even more in the next 19. I've grown closer to my Father in Heaven. I've become more aware of my strengths and weaknesses. I've had to develop patience and understanding. Neither of these traits are easy to develop!

I'm not in Manti, Utah anymore, and while that place still owns my heart, Tennessee will get my full attention for the next 19 months. I will continue to learn as I strive to develop Christlike love for others. I will continue to work to bring others unto Christ. My purpose as a missionary—but, even more basically, as a human being—is to love and serve everybody:

Yea, and from that time even until now, I have labored without ceasing, that I might bring souls unto repentance; that I might bring them to taste of the exceeding joy of which I did taste; that they might also be born of God, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. (Alma 36:24)

I really miss my friends and family, but I'm grateful that my Father in Heaven loves me enough to provide for me this most important experience of my life. My mission has meant everything to me because it is teaching me the most important lesson I could learn—how to love.