The Greatest Two Years

In this episode we talk to Ella Havranek who recently returned from the Hungary, Budapest Mission. Ella shares powerful experiences she had in Hungary of seeing the light of Christ return to the eyes of someone who hadn't attended church in decades. She also shares a beautiful story of spiritual promptings that both her and her Mission President received which prompted an unusual area change for her. She shares powerful advice to all those thinking of serving a mission, those who are currently serving and trying to figure out how to be a missionary, and advice for all of us on how to live after the mission. Ella has a powerful testimony of Jesus Christ and His gospel and it was a joy to talk to her.

In this episode we speak to Brian and Stephanie Neff. Brian and Stephanie recently returned from serving for three years as Service Mission Leaders in the California, Newport Beach Mission. In this special episode we explore what service missions are, the activities and service that service missionaries perform, and the beautiful experiences the Neffs had while serving as Service Mission Leaders. The Neffs were able to lead service missionaries with various talents and were able to help these missionaries develop their talents to bless the lives of others as the Savior would if He were here. This episode is sure to touch your heart and open your eyes to the fact that a mission is for all if you have desires to serve God.

In this episode we speak to Gretchen Stowe. Gretchen served in the Japan Tokyo North Mission and visa waited in the Kansas Wichita Mission. Because of this she is able to share powerful lessons that people are people no matter where you serve and all need Christ and the gospel. She relates powerful experiences where she was able to understand her purpose as a missionary and where she gained a powerful spiritual witness of the restoration of the gospel. She shares a sweet testimony of the gospel, of Jesus Christ and the gift of repentance, and of missionary work.

In this episode we speak to Cameron Chao. Cameron recently returned from the Thailand, Bangkok Mission! Cameron describes for us how his desire to serve a mission came later than expected and it came from understanding his family history and ancestors. He shares a powerful example for us of how we never know the impact a small missionary encounter can have on the life of someone, even years later. Cameron emphasizes continual learning an improving throughout life.

In this episode we speak to Sara Eyre who recently returned from the Japan, Kobe Mission. Sara shares powerful insights with us that this is a gospel of JOY. She recalls that the joy she felt was a motivating factor in helping her decide to serve a mission. She relates the story of a man she met in Japan who found the joy he had been searching for in the gospel of Jesus Christ and another story of teaching a man about that joy. Sara describes how she has a more reserved personality and how opening her mouth and speaking to people on the streets did not come naturally to her, but her confidence grew as she trusted in the Lord while she served.

In this episode we speak with James Dunning. James recently returned from the Germany, Frankfurt Mission. Prior to the mission, James was very accomplished in soccer and chose to leave it behind for two years to serve the Lord. He describes for us how he made that decision and what advice he would give to others struggling to decide whether or not to serve. James also shares powerful experiences of faith from his mission and bears a powerful testimony that this gospel is a gospel of change and that people can change.

In this episode we speak to Colton Archibald, who recently returned from the Brazil, Joao Pessoa Mission. In this podcast Colton discusses a powerful example he had which led him to serve a mission, powerful experiences of conversion he witnessed, and a unique way of doing missionary work which helped him understand his true purpose as a missionary to help others come unto Christ. Colton shares his powerful witness of the Savior and His church.

In this episode we speak to Tyler Weaver, who just returned from the Brazil, Porto Alegre North Mission! Tyler talks to us about the struggle he had for the first 3-4 months of the mission and his gratefulness that he was able to push through those times to become the missionary he was and the returned missionary he is today. Tyler shares eye opening stories of being made companions for the second time with someone he initially struggled to get along with and the success they later had together. He also shares how he was able to work with a member in England whom his dad baptized many years earlier and help him get to the temple again. This episode is powerful as it shows that missions are not easy, but that you can overcome hardship and see beautiful blessings if you are willing to power through hard times and rely on Jesus Christ for your strength.

In this episode we speak to Aubrey Jackson! Aubrey just returned from the Brazil, Sao Paulo West Mission and she also served in the Sao Paulo, Brazil temple visitors center. Aubrey shares with us how serving so close to a temple impacted her spiritually and how it impacted the lives of her investigators. She shares powerful experiences of seeing the Book of Mormon, and specifically Jesus Christ, change lives. She gives us great life advice to focus on the small and simple things daily to remain strong in the gospel and then add regular temple attendance. She leaves us with a powerful testimony of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, of missionary work, and of the Savior Jesus Christ.

In this episode we talk to Treyson Pay. Treyson recently returned from the Columbia, Cali Mission. He shares a powerful experience of opening a new area and how the Lord was in charge and helped the town know that servants of the Lord were now in the area. Treyson describes how he gave 100% as a missionary, how he found joy while serving, and how his entire life was blessed because of his service.