On Growing Older

Of the many sweet spiritual experiences I have had, one that has stayed with me is the feeling I have had from time to time as I have watched and listened to various senior missionaries speak and function in their many responsibilities here.  It happened first shortly after we arrived in Denmark.  We were with the Telfords (the couple we replaced), the Hansens (the couple who work in the mission office), the Freemans (in Iceland), the Middlemases (in Alborg) and the two senior sisters who work in the office (Sister Hamblin and Sister Sweena).  Every brother served in Denmark 45 to 50 years ago, and Sister Hamblin was here during the same time.
We were speaking about what lies ahead for all of us, about our responsibilities, about our love for Denmark and about the privilege of serving here.  I could suddenly see in my mind how the the former missionaries looked so long ago and how they came to love this great country and people through the work they did.  As one after another spoke, I saw the young person, energetic and eager, and the person grown older with a deeper love of the Gospel, a lifetime of leadership and experience.. and a greater desire to serve.
It is a testament to me that growing old in the service of the Lord has got to be the best way of all to grow older.