Alma 17:23

And Ammon said unto him: Yea, I desire to dwell among this people for a time; yea, and perhaps until the day I die.

This was another one of my themes that motivated me throughout my mission in Japan. This scripture was shared by another companionship in my district at the Missionary Training Center during a District Meeting and it has stuck with me ever since. Indeed, Ammon is among my favorite missionary role-models and his determined desire to dwell among the Lamanites for a time, and perhaps until the day he dies stirred up an attitude within me. Back then, I was dwelling among a certain group of people (namely the Japanese people) and I did have a desire to serve them. And my heart would always be with them long after I would transfer out of an area or leave the mission field at the end of my service.

Though times are different now and missionaries only serve for two years or eighteen months, not to mention that I've been off my mission for well over two years now, I still hold on to that sense of Ammon's spirit and determination-filled attitude. I like to think that no matter where we go, even as we leave those we come to love and hold dear, our hearts will always be with them, even until the day we die and perhaps afterwards... This has become even more my case since the events of last year when two of my relatives and a former mission companion died. And though I've been off my mission for over two years now, my heart is still with the people I served and worked with. Same goes to the people I've met and associated with recently, and those who I am currently among.

Alma 13:24

For behold, angels are declaring it unto many at this time in our land; and this is for the purpose of preparing the hearts of the children of men to receive his word at the time of his coming in his glory.

While I was at the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah, one of my teachers there shared this scripture with me. She said she thought of me and my family circumstances when she read this scripture, so that's why she shared it with me. I come from a part-member family and my my mother is not a member of the Church. I was also going to Japan for my mission and my mother is actually a native Japanese; I don't think it was coincidence. My MTC teacher testified to me that I too am an angel, being a missionary I was going to declare the word of God to the Japanese people. She also in a way, comforted me in a sense that my family would be alright during my two year absence because angels were going to administer to them as well.

Long story short, this scripture was something I needed to hear and it pretty much became my backbone and long-term theme throughout my mission. Being an angel to my family, being an angel to the people I was going to serve and be amongst to administer... I like to think that we all have angels around us watching our backs. Angels are not just some divine being sent from heaven or something out of fictional movies or fantasy. Angels can be regular people like you and me; we all have that ability to touch the lives of those around us and we all do it differently, in our own unique way. And for most of the time, we have no idea how much of an impact we are making. I also like to think that when we're away from those who are dear to us, we shouldn't have a need to worry because they'll be taken care of and watched over. And who's watching over all of us more than Heavenly Father?