Ye are the Light of the World

A good friend gave me this beautiful painting of hers this morning.  The image and the matching scripture have given me great cause to think throughout the day.  Specifically I have been thinking about what God expects of us, and how each of us, returned missionary or not, can "return home with honor."
You will recall that the Savior said "ye are the light of the world;" He was not one for vague, hopeful statements, nor for meaningless platitudes - He actually meant it!  Not "you could be a light," or "I want you to be a light," but "ye are the light."  (In His visit to the people in ancient Americas He clarifies by adding "I give unto you to be the light.")  Now He follows it up with the acknowledgement, if you will, that a person can choose to hide their light, but puts it in the realm of pointless selfishness by saying it is akin to lighting a candle, only to hid it under a basket where no one will see it, be guided by it, or feel of its warmth.
As I thought of this, one of the Savior's parables, the one about the Talents, came to my mind.  In it a master gives his servants varying amounts of wealth, each according to what he knows they can handle (and even to the least is given a vast fortune), and requires of them that they take care of it and increase it while he is gone.
Now until tonight I had mostly thought that the servant with only one talent was lazy, or perhaps he felt jealous of the others, or underappreciated by his master.  And while each of these could be true, I now think it is much simpler than that; he was afraid.  He was so afraid of failing, that he didn't even try, and thus failed anyway.
Do not fall into the same trap.  Heavenly Father, a perfect Being, created you - sent you to earth, full-knowing that you would occasionally fail, but also knowing you had the potential to get back up each time - and He doesn't make any mistakes; He is not in the business of making failures.  You are preprogrammed to succeed.  But He won't make you become all that you are able to; you decide.  He knew the only way you would grow was if you took what He had given you and made something out of it.
You are the only one who needs to give permission for you to be amazing; nay, out-of-this-world, breathtakingly phenomenal!  God already gave His permission and opinion on the matter.
So if there is something that you have always wanted to do, felt like you were meant to do, know that God wanted you to do, but have been too scared to try, this very moment is the time to let go of the fear that you will fail (or the just as real fear that you will succeed) and tap your limitless potential!

Where do I fit in scripture study now?

As a missionary, one of the best parts of the day is studying the Word of God.  Since we try to teach and live it every day, we have to study it constantly.  We do so for two hours each morning, one individually, and one with our companion.  I can't describe how much better your day goes for doing this!
So I had a question from a returned missionary the other day; where do you fit in scripture study now that you are home?  I had thought when I got ready to come home that I would have more time to read, but I actually have less.  Now I have to work, get ready for going to school, interact with family, take care of pets, and the list goes on.
Despite being harder, it is just as important now as it was then to read from God's Word daily.  I can truthfully say that nearly every blunder or mishap I have made since coming home has been because I wasn't immersed enough in the Scriptures.  There is a power in them to help use resist the evils of this world.
So, that being said, where do you fit it in?  I personally found that my best study has happened when I wake up early and read before the rest of the family gets up.  If you live by yourself that may be different, but as a rule scripture study seems to have the most effect when done in the morning.  It is the jump-start you need for the day, and gives you the Armor of God before you go out to battle, rather than just patching you up after you come home from waging war on sin all day.
But scripture study anytime, anywhere, for how ever long you have is always worth it.  I urge you to not give up on this important habit!