A Missionary's Shoes (Author Unknown)

A Missionary's Shoes
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> I had a great experience the other day. In the transfer meeting I was listening to the testimony of one of the new Elders. I looked at his shoes and then I looked at mine. Tears came to my eyes. His shoes were brand new and shiny, just the Elder with his enthusiasm all ready to go to work. Mine were old and beat up but with a world of experience just like the Elder wearing them.
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> I started thinking of my shoes. They've passed through two sewing jobs, four sole replacements, and an infinite amount of paint jobs. They've passed through the halls of the MTC, pounded the paved streets of Mexico City, and kicked up dust in the small villages of Teotihuancan. They've carried Books of Mormon, pamphlets, and sacks of vegetables and corn. They've tracked through sun, rain, mud, and smog. They've witnessed the visit of an Apostle, the change of mission presidents and, most important, the conversion and baptism of many humble Laminates.
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> They love to play basketball with the youth, soccer with the street kids, walk to discussions, and rest under the bed at night. They've been in the jaws of a dog and within the walls of the Temple. They see miracles constantly and go through heaven and hell daily. They have passed through many unexpected things and countless beautiful experiences the most beautiful this world can provide. But most important is that through all this walking, sweating, crying, and laughing, they have followed a path that has led them to eternal happiness.
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> They have followed the same path two beat-up sandals followed in Jerusalem nearly 2,000 years ago. They have followed the path of "The Master." They have taken up their cross for the love of the Mexican people just as those two sandals took up their cross for the love of all mankind. And, just as those sandals did, these two shoes have found that as they have lost their life in the service of others they have truly found themselves. They have found an eternal joy bigger than this world can provide. They have found that it's not what's on the outside that counts but what's inside the soul.
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> These shoes aren't just for two years, but are ready to walk to the ends of the earth and through all eternities to follow that path and help others to find it. I love these shoes and I love my Savior. I know He lives. I love this work.
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> I remember a story Brigham Young told. He was visiting a young lady on her death bed. She had given up all her hopes for the future and her schooling at a very young age to go to work to support herself and her brother when her mother died and left them orphans. She had spent her short life working with her hands to feed her brother. She asked President Young how the Lord would know that she is His. President Young said, "Show Him your hands."
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> When I return to my Maker, I'm going to show him my shoes.
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> Author Unknown