What have I learned?

I am starting to become a little melancholy as I think about ending this mission. We have only three more Sundays to teach investigators in our Jefferson 1st ward. It has been such an incredible blessing to teach these investigators looking for the truth. It has been wonderful to see them accept the gospel, enter the waters of baptism, make changes in their life, and progress in the gospel. They are such different people, happier people. What an amazing opportunity to see God's love in action.

I have so enjoyed working with the young missionaries. They are such powerful warriors of the Lord as they change from 19, 20, 21 year olds to stalwart and strong men and women of God. They have taught me so much about life and love and the plan of happiness. I have thought so much about my own family, and my children and the wonderful strong, valiant servants of the Lord they are. I now appreciate so very much what they did as missionaries, to bring others to Christ. I know now of their love and dedication to the Lord in so much more of an intimate way. I pray that my grandchildren will accept the legacy of their parents, to be righteous and to also serve a mission., that they will follow in light and truth and grow to serve and be happy. I am going to mission the relationships and friendships that I have had with these fine missionaries. I have seen them come from unbelievably hard backgrounds with a dedication to serve their Heavenly Father. Against all odds, they have served will all their hearts and souls. They have been examples of truth and goodness and love to all. I have seen them grow from boys and girls to men and women of faith and love.

I am so very appreciative of all the lessons I have personally learned these last 20 months. It has been a wonderful opportunity to learn, reflect, contemplate, evaluate, serve,  set goals. I have enjoyed reading the scriptures from the perspective of a missionary. I have felt God's love for me personally many times over. I have come to review my life and realized that in many ways I have fallen short as a mother, wife, daughter, neighbor, friend, aunt and more. This I do apologize to all of you, most of all to my children. But in reflecting on my shortcomings, I am  coming to recognize the power of forgiveness. I have felt the Spirit of the Lord many times and I have been schooled by modern day prophets many times while on this mission. For this I am eternally grateful. I have grown spiritually at an incredible pace. I don't want that learning to slow down. So now, it will be up to me to continue with studying, serving, and listening to the promptings of the Lord. I must continue to follow those promptings.

I have loved serving with Elder Lund. Each day we drive together, sit together, work together, eat together, and yes, scream together.We have been more exhausted than we knew was possible. We have listened to modern day prophets give council and instruction.  What a wonderful opportunity it has been to be at Elder Lund's side, discuss gospel truths, teach those truths, and testify of God's love. Our love has grown as we have felt Heavenly Father's love for us. I wish each of you will strive to have this kind of love in your own family and with your spouse. Praying together, we have felt a love for missionaries and investigators like we didn't know was possible. We have grown spiritually together.

So what have I learned? I think I am learning what it means to truly be a disciple of the Lord. Now I must continue to live according to that knowledge. I love our Heavenly Father and importantly, his son Jesus Christ. He is my Savior and I want to be eternally as a family in their presence. I love you all and ask for forgiveness for when I have ever hurt you. I hope that I will never hurt or offend any of you. Living with you eternally in their presence is the greatest gift I seek for. Serving this mission has taught me lessons I could not have learned on my own, or in any other way, and for this I will be eternally grateful.