Seeing the End from the Beginning

Do you know how life would be so much easier, calmer, and full of more patience if I would just see the end from the beginning? 

I've found myself asking myself (hehe) this exact question multiple times throughout the week. I've been reviewing a lot of my journal entries during my mission and I wish I could so badly leave a note, or reach through the papers to give myself a pat on the back and encouraging words to myself 2 years ago. 

Or even, this week we have been going through a lot of ups and downs with Jared as he is preparing for baptism. I just want to grab him by the lapels of his collared shirt and tell him "Trust me! This is what you will want not only now but well into the future and for eternity." But I can't. Or I get impatient when we have a few appointments fall through and I want to kindly embrace these people and say, "You don't realize what you're turning down! You need this gospel and you need it now!" And I especially want to help less active members see the end from the beginning as they kindly tell us to never come back and that they aren't interested. 

How can these people not see what I see? In fact, I'm sure this is what God thinks daily. However, he IS patient. He IS perfectly loving and forgiving. He ALWAYS IS willing to forgive us even though he knows there is an easier way. 

Elder Uchtdorf explains this principle perfectly as he explains the concept and godly virtue of patience:

     "Often the deep valleys of our present will be understood only by looking back on them from the mountains of our future experience...

...patience is a purifying process that refines understanding, deepens happiness, focuses action, and offers hope for peace...

...Our Heavenly Father knows what good parents come to understand over time: if children are ever going to mature and reach their potential, they must learn to wait."

Another lesson I learned about patience and preparation came through Anitha and Venkat. Anitha was going to get baptized this Saturday on the 26th but due to the language barrier and her wanting to be more prepared, we are pushing it back! But we found some missionaries who speak Telugu and now are teaching her! However, yesterday was a great day as Venkat came to church and we had the opportunity to confer the Aaronic priesthood to him!! He is all set to baptize his wife when her time comes!! (Soon) 

Love you all and I can't believe this is my last full week as a missionary!! Time to soak up every moment 

-Elder Gardanier