Sister Ann Elgaaen in Houston, Texas South: March 2, 2020 Do you think it was easy for me?

The mission isn't easy. It took me a long time to come to understand that every day isn't going to be the ideal perfect missionary experience. Doors are slammed in our faces, we are yelled off of properties. People we love turn away from the truths we KNOW. Companions can be a challenge to get along with... Sometimes you just end your day in tears, not understanding why you are experiencing these trials and hardships.

This was how my day was ending on a sunday of February 2020.

As my companion slept in the other room, I knelt and asked heavenly father why missionary work was so hard!

Tears streamed down my face as I spoke to him of my frustrations and stresses.

Then I heard a still small voice whisper to me these simple words:

"Do you think it was easy for me?"

I knew that the savior has experienced more difficult things then I could ever comprehend! I was taken aback.

Christ was spit upon, whipped, mocked! He had a crown of thorns carefully pressed down on his head. The Roman's forced him to carry his own cross up to the hill where they proceeded to nail his gentle hands and feet to the wooden planks and lift him up to crucify him. Even before that, christ performed the atonement for us. He felt ALL our trials and troubles, emotional and physical.

Do you think that was easy for him?

He cried out in the garden for heavenly father to let this cup pass from him! If we can hardly stand some of the physical and emotional struggles we are going through now, how do you think christ felt when ALL our trials fell upon him in the garden of gethsemane? For us, it would be unbearable!

But that doesn't mean we need to have a "stiff upper lip" and never show that we are struggling. What christ did wasn't to prove that we are weak, and he is strong. He suffered for us so when we are going through those trials and those challenges, he can be there!

He choose to suffer for us alone in the garden, so when we are suffering, we never have to be alone!

The atonement is what enables us to find strength through the savior who knows exactly who we are and what we have experience.

So yes, some days on the mission are hard, but because of the savior, I know that every day is possible!