He Spoke I Went

As I sat waiting to board my flight, my heart was full. This moment is bittersweet. On July 2, 2023, I said goodbye to my beloved wife, Tisa, after her long and courageous battle with breast cancer. She faced every trial with grace, faith, steadfastness, and unwavering strength. Her favorite words still echo in my heart: “I have faith in Him, I have hope through Him, and I have fight in me.”

Today, I carry that same faith, hope, determination, and grace as I begin an 18-month mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I carry her spirit and testimony with me as I move forward in faith to serve the people of Pretoria, South Africa.

I want to thank all those who have walked beside me—through grief, through healing, and now into the mission field. Your prayers, your encouragement, and your kindness have lifted me more than you know. The support I’ve received during these final weeks of preparation has been overwhelming. I am deeply grateful for every act of service—from ensuring I had snacks for the plane, to checking that my bags weren’t overweight, hanging and sewing curtains, and helping pack up the house.

This mission is not just a new destination—it’s a continuation of a promise I made to Heavenly Father, to Jesus Christ, and to Tisa: to keep going, to keep believing, and to keep sharing the good news of the gospel. I go forward in faith—not alone, but with her memory in my heart, your words and cards of encouragement on my mind, and the Savior as my guide.

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations… lo, I am with you alway.” —Matthew 28:19–20.

“ As for me and my family we will serve the Lord” — Joshua 24:15

Praying God will not only be with you until we meet again but enrich your lives with an abundance of peace, joy happiness, and love.