We just received this email from Mitch. I guess they let him contact us one last time before he leaves tomorrow. All I can say is WOW, he has grown so much. I am so proud to call him my hijo.
The time is here!
In 12 hours I will be
headed on a bus to the Mexico airport. My time here at the CCM has finally
coming to an end. Where has the past 6 weeks gone!? I feel like I have
hardly even been gone at all. I am so grateful for the things I've
learned here and the experiences I've had. I want to share a story with
you but first I'll confirm stuff about my flight. I leave the CCM at 3:00 Monday morning and will arrive in Arizona at about 9:00 in the morning. Then I
won't leave for California until about 11:00. Sometime between those two
flights I will try and call you from a pay phone or something. I would
love to hear your voices and I'll try calling all of the numbers I can
remember. Also I think I am going to get a cheeseburger the second I
touch down. Also if it happens that I don't get a hold of you or can't
speak with you don't worry, I still love you all and will talk to you
the next opportunity I can.
Alright now for my story. In the morning we are taught
by Hermano Arevalo. He is a native of Mexico and served his mission in
Mexico as well. He is 23 and one of the most genuine people I have ever
met. We had our last class with him yesterday and I would have never expected it to be the way it was. After we
finished up grammar and Spanish practice, Hermano Arevalo started to bare
his testimony with the story of Moroni and Lehi (Captain Moroni and General Lehi in the
book of Alma) when they battle with the Lamanites. The Nephites were
better armed and had stronger weapons, but after the Lamanites had
seen the dire situation they were in, they began to fight like
"dragons". The Nephites began to be frightened and wanted to flee.
Seeing their fears Moroni began to remind them of the families, their
liberties and their purpose. Hermano Arevalo reminded us that sometimes we
might be afraid, we might want to run. But we need to always remember
our purpose and our families. He told us when he served his mission his
dad thought he was the best missionary in the entire church. He saw
everything that was good and had faith he could do anything. Hermano
Arevalo found strength in this and continued to fight harder and harder
each day of his mission.
After he finished his lesson (the spirit was already
so thick my eyes were watering) he began to go around the room and
personally give us praise and advice as we departed. Through teary eyes
he expressed his love and admiration for us. That we were "gran
gurreros" (great warriors) just like Moroni and Teancum. When my turn came he looked at me with tears running down his cheeks and a smile on his
face and said "Elder Bagley, usted es el capitán, como Moroni" (You are
a captain, like Moroni). He went on to praise my leadership abilities
and the potential I have to lead other "warriors". I couldn't help but
remember the words Dad use to say to me before a rec basketball game, during a
huddle or on the car ride over, "Mitch, you need to make plays and open
options. As point guard it's your job to make things happen." At this
point my body was on fire but my mind was calm as the spirit brought to
remembrance those tender memories I have of Dad. Through teary eyes and a
full heart all I could tell Hermano Arevalo was "Gracias, gracias por
todo" (thank you, thank you for everything). If this already wasn't
enough of a profession of God's love for me I was asked to give the final
closing pray. Tears bathed my knees and hands as I gave the most
heartfelt pray I have ever offered. The spirit was so strong and my
words were no longer my own. I truly felt like Moroni praying for his
troops.
I leave tomorrow.
To a place where the people don't know me, don't know my language, and
don't know my passion for the gospel. It will be hard and there will be
days when I want to leave. Days when my doubts and fears fight back like
dragons. But, I am a captain. I am a leader and a son of God. The work I
am doing is divine and this is my time to grab my sword and my
testimony and fight. There are people out there waiting just for me and I
can't wait to find them. I love you so much Mom. Everything I am is
because of the kind of family I was raised in. You and Dad did alright.
Can't wait to tell you about California!! :)
Con Amor
Elder Bagley
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