Casey Tan returns from his mission (November 2012 – November 2014)

I have come to realise that nothing I can sacrifice will ever come close to the blessings that I have received.

The Best Two Years: I served as a full time missionary in the Canada Toronto Mission and the cliché rings true – it was the best two years of my life and the best two years for my life.

As a missionary, I had the blessing of being immersed in the gospel 24 hours a day; trying my hardest to live a consecrated life that few can live in the world and having the spirit to always be my guide.

One of my favourite moments on my mission was teaching people from Mainland China. Many of them come to Canada seeking more opportunities and are raised without knowledge of deity. A lot of people meet with us to understand more about the western world. We met with a wonderful lady, whom we shall call Daisy. Daisy, like a typical Chinese girl was an only child born in Si Chuan, China. She came to Canada for further schooling and initially met with us because she was new to the country and wanted friends. However, her interest was piqued as we shared with her about God and how families can be eternal and how we can develop a relationship with our Father in Heaven.

We invited her to pray and to ask God specifically if he was there. After much coaxing, she gingerly folded her arms and bowed her head, eyes closed and in the most sincere voice I've ever heard asked 'Heavenly Father, I want to believe you're there; am I right?'

After a pause and after what seemed like eternity to me, she quietly said, 'Thank you. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.'

With tears in her eyes, she looked up and said 'I felt it.'

At that moment, in that quiet corner of the student center in the University of Western Ontario, the spirit descended and testified to all three of us that God was real and that He looks out for each of His children.

I cannot look at Toronto the way I viewed it pre-mission for I have had too many sacred experiences there. It will always be holy ground to me. The years 2012 to 2014 will always hold a special place in my heart. A day has not gone by when I have not reflected on my mission and how much it means to me.

Naysayers may feel two years is a lot of time to give up, especially in the competitive environment we live in, but the skills learnt, the experiences gained and most importantly, the conversion to God and Jesus Christ, made every single minute of wearing the black name tag worthwhile.

I know the gospel is real; this work is the Lord's work. He loves us so much, He lets us, as imperfect beings, participate in the most important work in the universe – namely, the salvation of his children just so we can grow and be molded by the master potter. When we yield to Him, we become transformed.

I urge everyone who has a desire to serve a mission to listen to the prompting which is the spirit whispering to you. Moroni in the seventh chapter of his book tells that all good things come from our Father in Heaven and that urging is from God. If you have faith and follow the feelings in your heart, regret will be the furthest thing from your mind.