This was my last week in this area. I can't even believe how fast the time flies!!! and I have been here for almost a year!!! I've loved every second. The good and the bad!!
We've been able to find a lot of amazing people this week, so Hermana Burger will be able to work with them and help them progress. I'm really excited for her to take over the area because I know this is what she needs!! She will be able to progress and really notice how much she has improved. Sometimes that's all you need.
We went to the temple with Jorge this week!!!!! It was so amazing!!!!! He is so happy. The gospel has changed him and he knows it. He tells me all the time and his family tells him that as well :) that makes me SO HAPPY!!!!!
We went to a baptism of a referral we gave to the elders. He is soooo cool. God definitely prepared him and it was so fun to be invited to go see it.
Also fun district trip to the zoo!!! one of the best p days ever!!!
I really don't have too much to say. It hasn't quite hit me yet that I will be leaving soon, but sometimes that I really have been thinking about praying about it is accepting that I am leaving and know that it will be great when I get home. Here on the mission you have so many special experiences and you grow to love so many people that it's so hard to leave. But there is life after this one. The mission really prepares you for life.
I have learned so much. I've learned how to follow God's will; how to never give up even in the crazy heat we have; how to help others change their lives through the gospel, and so much more. I never could've asked for a greater opportunity. It's so crazy to me to think that God gives the salvation of his children to a bunch of 20 year old young adults, but that's because God is interested in the salvation of all of his children. He wants us to progress and I know that if we give ourselves completely to him, we can have that blessing.
I've truly come to know my Savior here. I know that through Him, I can make it back to my heavenly home. God wants all of us there, He wants me there because I am His daughter. No matter what, I am His. I just accept Him or not.
I know that this is the church that Jesus Christ made. There is not other way to make it back to God's presence. There are so many good people, and there are good churches, but only one has the power and the authority to perform the things we need to enter into God's presence. Through the power in the church, we can be baptized, receive the Holy Ghost, and continually renew those things through the sacrament. We can go to the temple and receive knowledge and make other covenants that lead us back to God and help us focus our lives. We can have an eternal family.
I left my recent convert family last night and what I shared with them I want to share with you. First some questions:
Why do we have to keep enduring in a race?
So then why do we have to keep enduring in the gospel?
It may seem obvious, but so many people don't realize that enduring to the end in a race is the same thing we need to do in the gospel. We can't lose this race though and the wonderful thing is that everyone who makes it to the end, wins the prize. It doesn't matter when they started or if they got off track for a second, EVERYONE who makes it to the end gets to live with God. This is the most important thing. I expect to see all of my converts and companions and family to be in the celestial kingdom. I will do all I can to make it there. Whatever God asks is what I will do.
I love this gospel. I love the Book of Mormon. I love that God can talk to me through its words. I know that He answers my prayers because He wants to help me. I've seen that so much on my mission. This is God's work. He wants His kids to come back to Him. I know this is true. I know it. I live it. I love it. and I love all of you. See you on the 15th!!!! :)
