Nov. 27, 2017 "I thank my God for each and every day"

"I thank my God for each and every day"

You have no idea how overwhelmed with gratitude I am right now.

A mission is a sacred 18 months to 2 years experience. We choose to sacrifice our time and talents and everything we have, and turn and dedicate that to our Father in Heaven and His work. But as Elder Christofferson said to us here in Missouri a couple months ago, "There are missionaries who return from their missions, and feel that they deserve to take a break, that God owes them because of all the service and sacrifice they gave. But let me tell you this: You came on this mission in debt of Him, and you leave on your mission in greater debt. Because of the overwhelming blessings he's given you. He doesn't owe you anything."

I have been overwhelmed at the blessings and lessons and experiences I have had in this short amount of time. And so it's true, I feel more indebted to Heavenly Father than ever before.

I never would have expected that I would love Missouri so much; that I would love all the different churches, all the cute Mormon families that come to the visitor center, that I would love giving tour after tour after tour, that I would love studying for hours on end, that I would love talking to complete strangers smoking on their porch, that I would love walking down the street knocking door after door, that I would love the weird looks from others in Walmart on P-day, that I would love change and love all my different areas. In short, I have loved this place.

My mission has not been easy, not in the least bit. But I'm grateful it wasn't easy. Because when I struggled, faced rejection and discouragement, felt anxiety and fear... I learned to turn to my Father in Heaven and my loving Savior.

There is no greater privilege than serving a mission. To be able to wear the Savior's name on my heart, and testify of Him by His authority... that has been the most immense blessing; just to be allowed to represent The Lord's Church. And have stewardship over His children! I know this work is real. The experiences I have had as a missionary, and the people I've met have helped me to know that God is real. There are too many miracles and things that could have been coincidences but I know are not. I know without a doubt this truly is the Lords church. None of us is perfect, but the doctrine is. And the power is there. It was restored through Joseph Smith. That power of Jesus Christ I have seen change lives, including mine.

I know now, more than I ever did before, that God the Father and His son, Jesus Christ are REAL!! And Their gospel is a reality!! This knowledge has impacted my life forever. The gospel is no longer a list of good ideas or suggestions, nor is it even a checklist. It is woven into my being as the way I am to live. Through the gospel of Jesus Christ, I have become something more. There is more meaning to my life. But most especially, I have felt the reality of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I have literally felt Him with me. Through His atonement, I know that there truly is pure and lasting peace and JOY! I have been comforted when nothing else could comfort me. I have been given hope when I had none. I have been enabled to endure and continue on. And I have been cleansed.

God is real, and so is His Son's Atonement. And I know in a coming day, He will return. (And we'll all get to come back to Missouri for that occasion;)

As a missionary, God has given me the opportunity to be refined as a person. He has enabled me and allowed me to overcome temptation, turned my weaknesses into strengths and purified me. And I know He will continue to.

I know my mission is not the end. Everything I've learned and gained as a missionary will only continue to help me throughout my life. And I know that my walk as a disciple of Jesus Christ is just beginning.

"Yea, and from that time even until now, I have labored without ceasing, that I might bring souls unto repentance; that I might bring them to taste of the exceeding joy of which I did taste; that they might also be born of God, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

And I have been supported under trials and troubles of every kind, yea, and in all manner of afflictions; yea, God has delivered me from prison, and from bonds, and from death; yea, and I do put my trust in him, and he will still deliver me." (Alma 36:24,27)

I thank my God for each and every day, for the blessing of the person I've come to be.

“The testimony which ye have borne is recorded in heaven for the angels to look upon; and they rejoice over you. … And now continue your journey” (D&C 62:3–4).

Love you all. See you soon.