Thoughts from Asher, RM (Returned Missionary)

Hello everybody!

       Well this is Asher McMullin - no longer Elder McMullin - coming to you from the McMullin family's dining room computer in Stoughton, Wisconsin! I got home from my mission last Tuesday around 10:45 AM and have been home with family since then. I wanted to share a quick last snippet of what my final week was like, and what it's like to be home after two years in Florida!

        My last week in Florida was a miracle filled, packed, emotional, joy filled roller coaster. We had a lot of good teaching opportunities and time to be out talking to everybody. One experience was on Sunday afternoon - we had a few minutes so we were out in a parking lot walking around before dinner. We saw a guy cleaning his car, so we went to talk with him. We had a great conversation and were able to pray with him, share about the Book of Mormon, and set a time to come back. Halfway through our conversation, while Elder Masino was talking about how the gospel has helped him, I was almost overcome with emotion, to the point of tears, when I realized that this was one of the last times I would be able to do this. All week, I realized how grateful I am for every day of my mission - for everything I learned and everything that I've experienced!

       On Monday, we drove the departing missionaries to Saint Augustine to walk on the beach and play sand volleyball. 

With Elder Masino, last comp and good friend.

That night, we had dinner and a closing meeting with President and Sister Lee. It was so good to be able to share and hear testimonies of how our missions and the gospel have helped us to grow. 

       Tuesday morning we got up early, drove to the airport, I hugged my companion Elder Masino goodbye, hugged President and Sister Lee, and hopped on a plane to Atlanta.

    As the plane picked up speed and left the Florida ground, I just felt overwhelming love for the people in Florida and gratitude for the conversion that I've watched people go through. After Atlanta, I flew to Madison, touched down, rode down an escalator, and hugged my family. 

What felt like the longest escalator ride of my life!

Ephraim has grown a lot over the last two years! It was great to see him again.

And of course, mom!

We drove back home and I spent the afternoon with my family.

We had time in the afternoon before I was released from being a missionary, so I showed Ephraim and Sylvia what we would do on the street; talking to somebody and tying it into the gospel!

Ephraim was a natural.

                                       

Sylvia (AKA "Bob" in this roleplay) may have struggled to take it seriously for a few minutes, but she's a natural too!

The more serious side shown here.

                                                       .

 We went to the Chicago temple on Wednesday - it was my sister Sylvia's first time going, and it was really special to be able to be there with her.

         Both sets of my grandparents came into town this weekend to visit, and to hear my speak on Sunday. I was asked to speak on what I learned on my mission, so I spoke about the doctrine of Christ - faith in Christ, repentance, baptism, receiving the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. That really is what I learned, and it is what I love!

It was great to see my grandparents again! They've helped me my whole mission and keep on helping me.

Grandma and Grandpa Chiddix

Grandma and Grandpa McMullin

   Saturday night we had a family dinner and party for friends at a local park. Ultimate Frisbee happened afterwards until the sun started going down.

Ephraim bringing some Welcome Home balloons to the party.

The grill masters in action.

Specialty brats from a meat shop in Appleton were a hit.

All the visiting family members at the family dinner.

 Ultimate Frisbee crew: Mattias, Tyler Romney, Jason Johnson, Asher, and Ben Johnson

                                              

       It's an interesting transition - it feels weird sometimes to look in the mirror and not have a nametag. It's weird to be able to eat meals and not worry about missing an appointment after dinner, or staying a minute too long. It feels weird to do things by myself, without a companion. It's weird to be doing the same things I did before my mission - playing tennis, playing viola, spending time with family and friends, etc. Even though I'm doing the same things, though, I feel different because of the change I've felt and the experiences I've had. I'm so humbled grateful for the way I've grown and changed - becoming more humble, more patient, less judgmental, more loving, more focused, more driven, more joyful, I could go on and on.

         I know that the gospel of Christ is real - its true. I know that Jesus Christ lives - he is our leader, our Savior and Redeemer, our Captain and our King. He leads us, and he has lead me and walked with me every single day of my mission. It's hard for me to express my feelings about, and towards, Jesus Christ. Learning to follow him has changed who I am. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God - it was translated by Joseph Smith, who was called as a prophet to restore Christ's Church. I know that our Heavenly Father loves us very, very, very much, and that he has given the Holy Spirit to let us know of that love. I can testify of this with all my heart.

        In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Love you all! Thank you for the support, thought, emails, and prayers you've given for the last two years. I hope you know how much they mean to me and the difference you made!