Tuesday, January 3, 2017

January 3, 2017

Hi Everyone,

All great things come to an end. This is my last letter as a full time missionary and I can't really believe it. I would love to just sit here and write down everything I've seen and learned but 1) I wouldn't have time, and 2) I don't think I could ever put it into words.

I love my Savior Jesus Christ. I have come to know Him here in Guatemala and I will just continue to keep coming to know Him for the rest of my life. I will be taking off the missionary badge but it will forever remain engraved upon my heart and I will never be the same. I have walked the road to Damascus. I have been hit on my back a hundred times here in the mission and only here I could come to know Christ more fully. Only when we are pushed to our extremity are we able to know Deity. The mission was a process of stretching and growing. It was a process of losing myself, getting rid of the mirror in front of my face and replacing it with a window to see others.

Matthew-10:39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

Getting lost in the Lord's work has been the greatest thing I have ever done. He has made me into something so much greater than what I could have made myself into. He is the great Carpenter who is always ready to carve and polish us into something beautiful. 

I love the mission. I have loved spending days on the grind diligently looking for people to teach. I have loved having the Holy Ghost guide us to someone who needs the Gospel. I have loved teaching and feeling the Holy Ghost testify of my words. I have loved the look in an investigators eyes when he is feeling the power of the Spirit. I have loved seeing them change their lives 180% degrees. I have loved seeing them dressed in all white and the joy in their eyes after they feel forgiveness, and they feel clean. I love the mission. Its the best thing that I have ever done. It wasn't a sacrifice, or a duty, it was a privilege. I feel so blessed to have served. The Atonement has changed me. 
Thanks for all the support that you all have given me. I love you all so much. It will be good to be able to see you all. 

I'll be giving my 100% until 4pm Saturday. 

Elder Buhrley

3 comments:

  1. Dear Elder Buhrley and Family :)

    Hi, this is the Griffin's...Elder Griffin's family:) We are so grateful that Benjamin was blessed to have you as his Trainer, Elder Buhrley. We will all be forever grateful to the Lord for that tender mercy! Thank-you for your wonderful example and inspired mentoring of our son. His whole mission will be affected for good because of who you are and what you taught him as his companion.

    Thank You!!! Much Love, Benjamin's Family, The Griffin's

    P.S. We may be a little late for but we were wondering when you are having your homecoming. We would love to come if it has not already happened.

    P.P.S. The kids are dying to meet you. We would love to have you and anyone you want to bring (family, friends, roommates etc) over for dinner to see mission pictures and hear stories about your time in Guatemala...and especially of Benjamin/Elder Griffin!

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  2. I forgot to add...Our contact info is:
    griffin.tyler@gmail.com (Benjamin's Dad) & kiplin@gmail.com (Benjamin's Mom)

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