So I report in five days! AHH! As my report date approaches it becomes more real. What actually made it an official reality was what happened on Tuesday. On the 21st I was set apart as a missionary. Even though I still had a week before I report I had/have to obey the missionary rules as best I can. (Minus me posting on my blog and getting on Facebook). The funny thing is, is that I already miss movies. Here I was going to go watch Star Trek and Epic before I go and I can't now... -sigh- Well it was the price I paid eh?
Being set apart by my Stake President was a wonderful experience. He blessed me with peace, safety, the gift of tongues, love and other things that put my busy mind to rest. I am excited to gives these coming years to the Lord but it will (already has) definitely require sacrifice and dedication on my part. That is why I was grateful for the comfort my blessing gave me.
Today I got my MTC address! For ALL of you that read my blog remember you already promised to write me! So here is my address so that you can.
Sister Charlene Bailey Durfee
JUL08 CO-DENN
2013 N 900 E Unit 322
Provo, UT 84602
And this is the address you will write to when I'm in the field, unless I tell you otherwise.
Sister Charlene Bailey Durfee
1250 Main St
Broomsfield Colorado 80020
The email rules also changed just recently so you can also email me on charlene.durfee@myldsmail.com. I get to email once a week on my P-Days. When it comes to email though I will first email family.We only have limited time to email so if I don't respond right away don't be offended. I will try my hardest to email you back. If I had a choice I would prefer you write me instead of email.(:
I also thought I would post my farewell talk on here.(: It is a little long, just to warn you(:
"For those who don’t know me, my name is Charlene
Durfee. Now, normally I wouldn’t want to start off my talk with the typical,
“For those who don’t know me…” but seeing as that there are so many new faces
that I don’t know they probably don’t know me. In fact just this last weekend
in the Relief Society News Letter that we get every week I noticed that my name
was in the list of Young Women making the transition into Relief Society even
though I graduated two years ago. However, I understand the confusion. Many
times people mistake me as the younger sibling to all my little sisters and
brother, expect for Rosamund but that’s only because she hasn’t passed me in
height yet. Though that is coming soon, she keeps on measuring herself to me
just waiting to pass me up like everyone else has.
I’ve been currently attending BYU and this past fall
semester I was going through some hard trials. I couldn’t shake the feeling
that I wasn’t where God intended me to be. Then in October, our wonderful
President Thomas S Monson stood up and announced the missionary age change. For
me, the call to serve came immediate. In March of this year I will be gathering
Israel in the Denver Colorado North Mission speaking Spanish. These past few
months I’ve been studying hard so that I am prepared to gather Heavenly
Father’s children. I never knew how great of a responsibility missionaries had.
To me, they became more of super heroes in my eyes. That is why I think the
topic assigned to me to speak about is absolutely perfect.
To The Rescue, this
year Liberty Stake theme, is my topic today. It is also the title of an April
2001 priesthood session talk given by our prophet Thomas S. Monson. That source
will be the foundation of my talk today.
In his talk he starts
off by saying, “Brethren, (or sisters) the world is in need of your help. There
are feet to steady, hands to grasp, minds to encourage, hearts to inspire, and
souls to save. The blessings of eternity await you.” It might just be me but
when I read those few lines I got a little teary eyed and thought the huge
responsibility we have as members of the Church to reach to those who can’t
enjoy “… The blessing of eternity…” like we can. Every day as I watch the
people around me function without the gospel I am in awe. I couldn’t even
imagine if I didn’t have the gospel in life.
The responsibility to
gather is not just for those who don’t have the gospel but to those who have accepted
the gospel but have fallen away. President Monson once got a letter from a
husband who had strayed from the iron rod. It reads,
“Dear President
Monson:
“I had so much and now have so little. I am unhappy
and feel as though I am failing in everything. The gospel has never left my
heart, even though it has left my life. I ask for your prayers.
“Please don’t forget those of us who are out here—the
lost Latter-day Saints. I know where the Church is, but sometimes I think I
need someone else to show me the way, encourage me, take away my fear, and bear
testimony to me.”
President John Taylor
warned us, “If you do not magnify your callings, God will hold you responsible
for those whom you might have saved had you done your duty.” I for one do not
want to be held responsible for those who I couldn’t bless because I lacked in
my duty.
This responsibility is
a heavy burden. But the great thing is that it is not a load we have to bare
alone. Our Father in Heaven and Our Savior are there to help! Thank goodness! President
Monson goes on to quote the play Shenandoah, “If we don’t try, then we don’t
do; and if we don’t do, then why are we here?” There are many ways that we can
try to save souls, inspire hearts, encourage minds, grasp hands, and steady
feet.
While growing up in the church I relied on the
testimony of my parents. I DID have a testimony but not a full testimony. We
lived in Utah for 13 years of my life so I never really had an opportunity to
share the gospel or even be an example. That changes when you move to a place
where you become one of the few (very few) Mormons in your school. Surprisingly
I was a quiet shy person. There were many opportunities I could have invited a
friend to church or to an activity but I didn’t. I can’t count how many times
my mom would suggest it and I would say, “I don’t want to. I’ll just be an
example.” When I moved away and was on my own I couldn’t rely on my parents to
help me make decisions. It was there I began to really build my testimony of
Jesus Christ. I learned to trust in Him because he knows my heart better than I
do.
While during my many trials at school I came across
this scripture, it’s in Mosiah 24 during the time Alma the Elder and his
brethren are being suppressed by Amulon. In verse 15 it reads, “And now it came
to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made
light; yeah, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens
with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of
the Lord.” Submitting cheerfully and with patience to the ALL the will of the
Lord I finally gained my personal testimony. I also realized that being an
example was no longer enough.
President Monson continues, “The passage of time has
not altered the capacity of the Redeemer to change men’s lives—our lives
and the lives of those with whom we labor. As He said to the dead Lazarus, so
He says today: “Come forth.” Come forth from the despair
of doubt. Come forth from the sorrow of sin. Come forth from the death of
disbelief. Come forth to a newness of life. Come forth.”
Those lives we touch will be changed by our Saviors
love. In which President Monson says is the catalyst, the principle of love. It
can change lonely and suffering men into righteous and loved men. He also says,
“Another principle of truth which will guide us in our determination is that…
men can change. I’m reminded of the words of a prison warden who taught this
fact. A critic who knew of Warden Duffy’s efforts to rehabilitate men said,
“Don’t you know that leopards can’t change their spots?”
Warden Duffy responded, “You should know I don’t work
with leopards. I work with men, and men change every day.”
Reach out to lost loved ones, lost friends, make
strangers your friends, show them the light which you hold in your hearts that
they too can change. Abraham Lincoln said, “If you would win a man to your
cause, first convince him that you are his sincere friend.”
Our Prophet gives us counsel on other ways to reach
out, “There are other ways, as well, by which one might lift and serve. On one
occasion, I was speaking with a retired executive I had known for a long time.
I asked him, “Ed, what are you doing in the Church?” He replied, “I have the
best assignment in the ward. My responsibility is to help men who are
unemployed find permanent employment. This year I have helped 12 of my brethren
who were out of work to obtain good jobs. I have never been happier in my
entire life.” Short in stature, “Little Ed,” as we affectionately called him,
stood tall that evening as his eyes glistened and his voice quavered. He showed
his love by helping those in need. He restored human dignity. He opened doors
for those who knew not how to do so themselves.”
Do as President John Taylor asks and “magnify your
callings”. The wonderful Bishop of this ward is led by the Spirit who is
directed by our Heavenly Father. Our callings come from God. Be a friend, be an
example, touch lives. I hope that when I stand at the bar of God I can honestly
say that I did my best and that I can have a portfolio filled with people I
helped bring to this wonderful gospel.
Now since it is Mothers day, I want to express my love
to my Mom who has indeed saved my soul. Even during those awful teenage years
she was protecting me even when I refused to see it. I think mothers are
saviors themselves. I look at my own mom and watch at all the sacrifices she
makes for her children so that they can grow to know their Heavenly Father. Thanks
Mommy, for the love, the protection, the guidance, the foundation. I wouldn’t
be going to serve the Lord in Colorado if it wasn't for you.
And I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ
Amen."
This is also the last time I will post. BUT! My emails that I will write my family will be posted here every week. So don't go anywhere. I want to share my adventures with you!
I love you all so much! Thank you for all the love, the encouragement, the support. Hope to see you guys in 18 Months! <3
Char!
