During his mission in Germany, Jake Erekson got engaged “kind of” to his girlfriend by telephone and was promoted to district leader.

What influenced you to go on a mission? Were you expected to go?

I was talking to a good friend one day and was going to tell her I wasn't going to go, but I couldn't get the words out. I went home and prayed that night, and just knew somehow that I needed to go.

I wasn't expected to go. Up until the week before I left, my mom kept telling me that I didn't have to go if I didn't want to.

Once in the mission field, how did you adapt to your new life? In what ways were you prepared or unprepared? What was your biggest struggle while on your mission?

I was lucky enough to be able to make close friends, either with companions or others out in the mission field, relatively soon after arriving in an area. I was also lucky to have known a lot about religion, my own as well as others, before going out in the field. I guess having a "knack" for the language didn't hurt, either.

My mission was such a wonderful part of my life that I seem to only recall good things about it. Even things that may have seemed like problems or struggles while I was there really turned out to have a positive influence.

Do you feel closer to your church after your mission?

I definitely had more of a chance to study on my mission, and in two years of study, you're definitely going to learn more about any subject. As for personal feelings, that's the beautiful thing about the true gospel of Jesus Christ. Often when you first realize the truth of it, you have stronger feelings then you can imagine.

How did you feel when you returned from you mission? Did you adjust to normal life quickly? How were you treated differently by your family/community?

My "readjustment period" went relatively quickly. My mom thought I seemed a little weird, but she was the only one. I didn't make it a point to tell people that I had gone on a mission. It was, and still is, a very personal thing to me.

If you could go back in time, would you still go on a mission? Why?

Yes! Imagine going out to dinner with a group of people and ordering a dessert that you never knew existed, which turns out to be the most exquisite thing you've ever tasted. If you're anything like me, every one at the table will have heard about it, and most of them will have shared in mine by the end of the night.

What has happened since your return? What are you doing now?

I'm currently a social worker by trade. I help manage a group home for adolescents with autism. I'm also a full time student at Salt Lake Community College. I am also involved in student government as a a student senator.

I've been married now for almost four months, and I try to spend as much time with my wife, Becca, as possible. She is gorgeous, funny, smart and hard working, but she doesn't flaunt it. As for Celest (the girl from the movie), I've only seen her two or three times in the two years I’ve been home.

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