The Final Chapter

Well, this is my last email . . . for real, this time. Wednesday will be my last day as a full-time missionary. I love my mission. It has been incredible, and I can't fully express how grateful I am for the opportunity I've had to serve God in this way.

It wasn't always easy, but it's not meant to be easy! "Salvation is not a cheap experience"- Elder Holland "It takes a price to come to know God"- President Nakken. Not easy, but worthwhile because I can truly say that I know God is real, that Christ is real, that they love us, and that they guide us through the Holy Ghost! I can truly say that I know my Savior, and He means everything to me. 

Christ is the only reason we can live with God again. "There shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ the Lord omnipotent"- Mosiah 3:17 As we use His gift of the atonement to change and progress, we unlock the gate to eternal life. When we have the chance to share that with others, we should never pass it up.

I will miss my friends here, but will keep in touch with all of them. I am so grateful for the opportunities I've had to meet all the people I have taught and served with.

Our friend Nahum is getting baptized today, and it is the perfect finish to my time here! He has incredible faith and is so ready to make this covenant. So often when people are baptized I feel like I had only a small part in their journey. Christ is the one who truly carries them, and they are so, so strong to overcome temptation, preconceived notions, as well as opposition from family and friends! I am truly amazed by these people and their faith! 

Thanks for coming on this journey with me! I have learned and grown so much, and I hope that I have changed. I hope I have become more like my Savior and come to know Him! I think I can say that I have! 

See you in a few days :) 

Pictures: Christmas!!!!, the beautiful place I live, the beautiful person I live with lol, Nahum, Christmas packages in the office 

Mansion Baptism

Ruben got BAPTIZED this Saturday! We had it at this members house and it was fancy! It was in the country on the outskirts of Ventura and it was massive! Everyone got lost trying to find it though so we ended up starting about 20 mins late! All worth it in the end though, the service went really well without too many hiccups and he was happy!

Nahum is doing awesome and has decided to be baptized this weekend! I am so excited for him!

Zach is doing great as well, and is building a stronger and stronger testimony! 

We have been getting out and talking to people way more! We talked to lots of interesting people this week! It's something I haven't done in a few transfers, so I'm getting back into the swing of it. It makes me really nervous, but I love talking to people after the initial contact!

Today for P-day we did a white elephant gift exchange and built gingerbread temples! It was so fun!

This is the last week of my mission! I'm am feeling all of the feelings and it's a bit overwhelming knowing my time here is about to be finished. I am happy with what I have been able to accomplish, but I am not going to waist a second of my time here! Full send!!!

Turkey Season - Christmas Season

It was Thanksgiving this week! I hope you all had fun stuffing your bellies! Such a strange holiday! haha! We got to eat with a member couple and it was sooo yummy! It reminded me of home! They had the works :turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, yams....but no ham :(  I definitely went home full! 

We also had Zone Conference this week. It was over zoom, but with our districts...half of our district was speaking, so it was us and two other companionships! It was really cool though. You could feel the Spirit, and we had a fun time!

We met with Nahum this week, and helped him set a goal for baptism! He will be getting baptized on the 12th of December. He is so ready, and could be baptized now but wanted to wait a couple weeks! 

Our friend Ruben was able come to church in person!! (we meet outside in the parking lot). He also came to a baptism in our ward and loved the experience, it got him hyped for his own baptism next week!

I went on two exchanges this week, they were the last ones! Both sisters I exchanged with (Sister Sellers and Sister Ofa) are going home with me! We had some emo talks about it and also talked about what we were excited for. 

Sister Ofa and I were in my first area and we're on our way to try to contact this potential person in area book. As we're driving I got the feeling that I'd been there before. We got to the dot and it says Ami... memories started flooding back I had tracted into her almost two years ago on my first day in the mission! We also drove past the first door I ever knocked! It was a trip down memory lane! I have come sooo far!

Pictures:

Thanksgiving, all our friends, zone conference, some food, Tessa, exchange with Sister Ofa