Well, the time has come and passed, it's been about four months in Alpena and I'm taking off. I'm heading to Ludington, which is on the opposite coastline. It's on Lake Michigan and is a vacation town, so we'll see how that goes. I'm not sure if anybody knows about my love affair with lakes, oceans, rivers, boats, and anything having to do with water, but this last summer will be torture!
Yesterday was my last Sunday in Alpena. It was actually fairly sad. I have really had an interesting time in Alpena. It has been winter pretty much my entire time here. We've had a few spring-type days. It's been nuts! I'm excited for spring on Lake Michigan. Obviously it's going to be work and little-to-not play, but that's all good. I have three transfer cycles left, 18 weeks, and/or about 4 months. I guess I'll just say what I have learned, because there isn't really too much that is new in my life.I have learned three MAJOR lessons over the last four months.
2) The plan of our lives often, if not always, runs contrary to divine will. I wanted to spend my last 8 months in Lansing, or Kalamazoo, in a city or something. Life would be great. Lots of members, lots of people to teach, life would be so easy! But, that's not what was in the cards. I had four months of work. Menial, repetitive, and often unacknowledged work. I thank God that it was so.
3) With increased vision comes increased motivation. Elder Tad R. Callister said that in his talk in the priesthood session of conference and I realized that's what this whole time has been. When I look at the big picture of my life, my time here is vital. If I can handle winter in a quiet, content town, out in the cold knocking on doors, I can handle dang near anything.
I saw a bumper sticker that said, "Keep calm, you're in Northern Michigan!" So true.
I'm doing great. I hope people are making wise choices back home!
- Damon
