I was very independent growing up. I always did everything on my own. Naalala ko I used to watch movies in a movie theater alone back in high school- and I enjoyed it. When I arrived sa mission, I was culture shocked kasi kelangan kasama mo companion mo for 24 hours. Isa sa guidelines sa Missionary Handbook na pinaka mahirap sakin before my mission ay “Stay Together. Never be alone. It is extremely important that you stay with your companion at all times. Staying together means staying within sight and hearing of each other. The only times you should be separated from your assigned companion are when you are in an interview with the mission president, on a companion exchange, or in the bathroom.” It was so hard for me. My thought was that I should have time for myself, myself alone! But as the days passed, I started to learn why I should have a companion. They helped me develop Christ-like attributes. We learned and progressed together. Naalala ko yung sinabi ng mission president ko, “your companion’s success is your success.”
One thing I learned about companionship is that it is the Lord’s standard. Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said “Many of our assignments in the Church are shared with companions. Ever since the Lord sent out His disciples two by two, companionships have advanced the work of the Kingdom. The Lord’s law of witnesses requires that “in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.” When the grieving women came to the empty tomb that first glorious Easter morn, it was two heavenly messengers who declared, “He is not here, but is risen.” No wonder why missionaries should go by two’s, because missionary work is a sacred work of the Lord.”
