Change of plans: I am actually still in Cachoeira Paulista.
Tomorrow
after lunch I will leave to Sao Jose dos Campos to meet President there
to be interviewed, then I will stay the night with the sisters of
JARDIM SATELITE! I hope I can say goodbye to Ana Maria before I go ♥ Then
Wednesday
morning I get on another bus to the capital and then I get on a PLANE
and then I FLY OUT OF BRAZIL. WOAH! Yeah, "a ficha nao caiu ainda,"
which literally means the file hasn't fallen yet, or it hasn't hit me yet... I
am actually finishing my mission! I think the best way to end this blog
is to share all of the things the Lord has allowed me to learn during
my year and a half of service.
What I Have Learned on My Mission:
1. "It's not about you, it for the people who are blessed by what you're doing!"
2.
That families are eternal, and that is the greatest gift God has given
us. I have especially been able to see my mother through Heavenly
Father's eyes as the angel she is. My only goal now is to one day become
like her.
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| Surprise VIVA BRASIL lunch for me! |
3. I have been able to see the wisdom of my father
and the intense love he has for me, for a life filled with sacrifice in
service of his family and others. He totally understands that "it's not
about him."
4. How much I love and cherish my brother and sisters.
5.
I love the Book of Mormon with my whole soul. It is truly a sacred
testament that Jesus is the Christ, and I can testify along with Joseph
Smith that we can grow closer to God through the Book of Mormon than
any other book. The Book of Mormon was not revealed to man in our day to
replace the Bible, but to stand beside it as a powerful testimony that
He lives and that He is the Savior of the world. From the MTC, my eyes
were opened and I could read the stories therein and FEAST on the
scriptures. I have seen this precious book change lives. I have seen it
free people of addictions, depression, confusion and doubt, and bring
them know to Christ. If anyone has not read the Book of Mormon and asked
God if it is true, I invite all to do so, that they might be changed/ blessed.
6.
I learned about PRIDE. That word has been a
bolded theme for my entire
mission. It was chilling to have my eyes opened to see how much the
natural man controlled me, and for my entire mission I have fought to
overcome it and uproot it from my heart. It is not an easy thing, and I
know I will continue to do this for the rest of my life. Yet I delight
in it! I know that that is why I am here! To overcome pride and the
natural man and become a saint through the Atonement of Jesus Christ!
Mosiah 3:19.
7.
How to live with another person! This one has a lot to do with the
previous point. As a missionary, you literally have to be within sight
and sound of your companion 24/7, only exceptions are when they are in
the bathroom or we are on divisions with another companionship. As you
can see, this provides many opportunities to grow! To be honest, I
thought I was the easiest person to live with, but I realized this is
not true. :) I learned that "charity never faileth" is my motto. Making a
point is never more important than a person to be loved. Although this
was probably one of the hardest aspects of my mission, I know it is one
of the areas in which I have most grown.
8. I no longer fear
man. Before my mission, I was sheepish when it came to saying what needs
to be said. I now have become a "defender of the absent," like Sister
Jaggi. It also seems that I do not have a comfort zone. As a missionary,
I am fearless. I hope "Ava" will be able to take this lesson to college
with her. :)
9. The Miracle of Sacrifice. I truly
believe if you want to be happy, you need to sacrifice. You need to
work. I remember my mom sent me Sam Jaspers' last email and said
something to the effect of "I came on a mission to pay back a little
part of the debt I have with my Savior. However, in so doing I am now in
even greater debt due to the innumerable blessings I have received
through my service." That is the miracle of sacrifice, that when we give
up our time, talents, comforts, energy, the Lord opens the windows of
heavens and we are even more blessed. Many people have said to me during
my mission "promise me that you will never go inactive after your
mission. You think you never will, but even the strongest people fall
away." What I have learned is that the people who fall away are those
who think "I just gave a year and a half of my life to the Lord, now I
can rest. Now it is me time." They stop doing the small habits they
gained on the mission, such as daily scripture study, frequent fasting
and paying of fast offerings, kneeling to pray every morning and night,
staying for all three hours of church. I know if I want the Spirit and
the light I have gained on my mission to stay with me, I will have to
keep doing the same things! I will have to keep sacrificing! The Lord
will continue to give me promptings, I am sure of it. I know He expects
to continue using me as an instrument for much good.
10. How
the Spirit speaks to me. I have become really good at recognizing
promptings and courageously acting. You wanna know a secret? Every time
you think "I should do that" and it is good, it is the Spirit truly
speaking to you, just like Elder Bednar says!
11. How
dangerous technology is. I have not had a phone or tablet or computer
for a year and a half, and I really have had my eyes open to how
addicted EVERYONE is to their screens. Its frightening, truthfully.
Teenagers, moms, dads, toddlers, stake presidents, EVERYONE is just as susceptible to becoming addicted. It is the first place people go when
they feel bored, sad, uncomfortable, lonely, or upset. The scariest part
is looking back on my pre-mission life and seeing I was just as
addicted as everyone else! President gave us some wonderful counsel that I think everyone should follow. He said "Technology is a wonderful
resource, but it must be used within set limits. Enter, accomplish your
purpose, and then exit out." It is really just that simple. I know that
media with crude humor, violence, or sexual content drives away the
Spirit faster than anything. What is accepted today as normal (even in
books, on the radio, or news channels) is a way Satan can control us
while we are within the walls of our own homes.
12. How to
love my body. It isn't really a secret than I have gained a few pounds on
the mission (tee hee) but if anything I have grown to love the way I
look more than anything else! I cared TOO MUCH about what I ate and how
much I was working out, and how looked before. Now, I will simply take
care of my body by eating healthy foods and work out everyday like I
love to, and let the rest take care of myself. As long as I am living a
healthy lifestyle and taking care of myself, what appears in the mirror
is perfect. During the mission it has been hard to take as good of care
of myself as I want to because we are at the mercy of what the irmas feed us
everyday (white rice, fried meat, and dessert everyday) and have very
limited time to exercise, but now I can take complete responsibility of
my alimentation and exercise. :) Woohoo! That is something I am looking
forward to.
Sorry, this is really long and I
will now end, but I would just like to close with the greatest
gift/lesson I have been given on my mission: Conversion to the Lord. I
know He lives and loves me. I know He was with me and my companions
every single day of my mission as we did what He would do were he still
present on earth in the flesh: preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and bring more
souls unto Him. He is my best friend. Oh, how grateful I am for His
infinite love for us. I know Joseph Smith restored the Christ's church
and the fullness of His gospel. I know Thomas Monson is His mouthpiece
and representative today. I know The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints is the kingdom of God on the earth today. I will
continue to sing it from the rooftops!
I love you all and I love my Savior!
Until THURSDAY!
