"Unto whom much is given . . ." Darin and Jarret

A short preface to my main subject - while I was on my mission I would watch other missionaries and in my mind determine what kind of people they were. As I approached a transfer, I soon learned that I would be serving with Elder Maycock. He had been serving with a district leader up to that point and in my mind I knew he was the reason the district leader had been so successful. As soon as we were put together, knowing very little of each other, he and I worked our tails off every moment we were awake. We lived by the book and did everything to exactness. We didn't talk a lot and his driving in the snow horrified me, but we worked hard and at then end of one month had amazing rewards for our efforts. We were only together one transfer and then we were both transferred to other areas and didn't see each other until about 9 months later. When we did hook up again, we both shared how we had never before worked so hard with any other companions. I was floored; I assumed I was barely keeping up with his expectations at the time. As I was the younger companion, he didn't want to let me down by doing anything less than what he thought I expected. The month we worked together was awesome, hard, educational, and an amazing growing experience. Due to our anticipation of what the other expected, we both had served beyond our comfort zones and enjoyed the blessings of growth.

I share this story due to the parallels that I had many years later. I experienced the splitting of my ward, right down the middle, with dear friends being in a different ward. I was given a new calling in my new ward where I got to work with two specific people - Darin and Jarret. I had some experience in my new calling from my prior ward and brought many of my ideas into my new calling. Darin and Jarret were already amazing friends which made it intimidating to me being the recent addition. I took an inventory of these two brothers and determined that much would be expected of me to serve at the level they were serving. For two years, through the mantle of my calling, I always knew what I should do. I was constantly busy with so much in my life and these two brothers seemed to always be giving me new opportunities that I had never experienced - much growth and discomfort filled my life as I tried to keep pace with them and not let them down with my shortcomings. For a little over two amazing years we got to serve together and experience much - we were close, we loved to have fun, and we loved serving together in our effort to fulfill our callings.

I look back now and am grateful for the chance I had to serve with these two men, they have gone on to serve more intensely in their new callings and continue to be an example through their great love for the gospel and their desire to fulfill their callings. Recently I got to spend several days with them as we hiked the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Their strength was more intense and amazing then what I remembered. I was able to see that they have gone on and built upon the experiences we shared. I shared with Darin's wife how I always knew what to do when I was serving with them - I never lacked direction as we three were so untied and blessed to have the mantle upon us. What we had as mere mortals was truly amazing and a gift from our Heavenly Father.

I am still processing my thoughts and experiences that I enjoyed serving by their sides - even now, 18 months later. When I do sufficiently digest and understand how to communicate this experience I hope to put into words my thoughts. Until then, I wanted to express my gratitude to both men in all that they helped me experience and grow from during those two years

Never have I worked harder, never have I been inspired more, never have I experienced so much discomfort as I strived to keep pace with you. Thanks Darin and Jarret - you are my friends; you are my brothers.

Andrew "knows discomfort" Brown