When I was 19 I volunteered to be a Missionary for my church. I was sent to the Amazon rain forest in Northern Brazil for 2 years to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to perform community service. While I was there we were instructed to keep a journal. I bought a large, hard bound, blank book and wrote in it virtually every day that I was away from home. It was a great opportunity to express my feelings and record my observations as they happened. Now I can look back at them any time I want. When I read it now I am sometimes embarrassed at how young I was. Mostly I can't believe all the things that I have forgotten in the 10+ years since I returned and am grateful that we were told to do it.
Just as I once left my family and friends to go off to a strange and dangerous place to serve my Heavenly Father, I know go to leave them to serve my country. Although not instructed to do so this time, I wanted to learn from my past experience and keep a journal of my thoughts, feelings and observations. A lot has changed in the last 10 years however, and a blank book just doesn't seem sufficient anymore. I decided that the best way to keep my war journal was to follow the example of countless soldiers who are serving in Iraq now and keep a blog. The disadvantage is the loss of personal connection with the hand written word. The advantages are many. My hand writing and bad spelling wont have to be deciphered; The information is stored somewhere far away from the dangers of war safe in case the unthinkable were to happen; and finally, I can include pictures and video to add meaning and a personal touch to my words.
I hope that anyone who stumbles across this finds it at least interesting. If no one does, It will still be worth it. After all, after 10 years I am the only one who has ever gotten my missionary journal out to read it and yet I wouldn't give it away for the world.
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