Whatever You Are.....

I'm going to write a little bit about Sydney tonight. I promise I won't gush too much. But he has taught me an amazing lesson over the past three and a half months, actually he has taught me this lesson since I met him but tonight we are sticking to his time on a mission.

Sydney is serving in the Mexico City East Mission and is currently in an area that is very poor and not very clean. Well his second week in Mexico he came down with appendicitis and had to have his appendix removed. Then about two weeks later he got a stomach infection and then about three weeks later he got an intestine infection. Visiting the hospital three times during all of this. And on top of all of these health problems he is in a brand new country, he is learning a new language and missing home. I know I'm not the most descriptive writer but I hope I've painted a good picture of what he was going through. I think through out all of this he complained to me twice, maybe.

After the appendix surgery.

Now what does "whatever you are, be a good one"have to do with not complaining? Sydney has this philosophy if he is going to do something, he is going to do it! I remember on my mission when the pain was really bad I'd talk about maybe going home in moments of weakness. But all Sydney has ever said in the two times he has complained was that it was hard, but that he was doing his best to get better. He could have easily asked to come home to get better, or complained to me, his girlfriend who would understand being a sick missionary. But now he just talked about wanting to get better so he can be the best missionary he can be. Each week as he writes me I feel how happy he is through his words despite the struggles that he is having. He knows during this time his calling is to be a missionary and so he figures even though he keeps getting sick and could make all the excuses in the world to not work hard, he is going to keep going. He is going to be a good missionary.

Soccer with the other Elders. Look how happy he is!

Not only am I in love with this amazing man but I am learning new things from him all the time. He is living Abraham Lincoln's wise words. So as I realized what example he was setting for me I decided it was time for me to bloom where I was planted and be the best I can be. Even though sometimes I may not be happy with where I am or what I'm doing it is important to be present and do the best I can. I've been practicing this just the past few days and man I've seen such a difference. Yes I'm exhausted and sometimes I don't get everything done I need to, but I feel fulfilled. It is a good exhaustion. I know that I'm living in the present and I feel at peace. So guys "whatever you are, be a good one".