Loved Ones,
Me-oh-my, the time did fly. We did it, family! Two years! My mortal mind simply cannot comprehend the fact that I will see you all in two days. It's very odd. To be perfectly honest, trying to picture life as a non-missionary right now is just as difficult and frankly impossible as trying to picture my life as a missionary before I came out. I just don't think I can do it! Now I understand more completely why it wasn't enough just to learn everything in the pre-mortal life. We needed to actually come to earth and experience it in order to truly understand. And thus it is with my life right now. I will not understand what the next phase of my life means for me until I begin to live it. But, just like I had the blessing of being placed in a loving family to help me to navigate the new world that was my earth life, I have a heavenly family awaiting my arrival to "post-mission life". The funny thing is, it's the same family. I love you all so much!
This week was awesome! Elder Hooper and I tried as best we could to reach our 20 investigator goal for the transfer. When all was said and done, we had 17 investigators for the transfer. So close! But, since we worked so hard to find the 20, this week is lined up with tons of great things! It will be a great start to next transfer! I am at peace. During sacrament meeting yesterday, I felt an assurance that my missionary labors have been accepted. I know that what I have done for these past two years was a good thing. Though I was so far from being perfect, I have felt that the Lord is pleased, and that means the world to me. Missions are a miracle. I have been forever changed.
I am so excited to see you all! What the heck! This is crazy! I have to just say, you may have to be patient with me as I may be extremely weird and awkward after this wonderfully odd experience I've had. Please know in advance that I love you all dearly and I hope that I don't offend you with any New York habits I've picked up that may be... different. With that said, I hope I'm not scaring you by saying that. I mean, I feel like I'm pretty normal. Then again, everyone does, right? What is weird, anyway? That is a relative attribute defined by those who just may be the weird ones. They could be normal, too. But that's not important. What's important is that we are family and we love each other, weirdness aside. I am just so happy that I get to hug you all! What will that be like? Oh my!
I would like to close this Monday email series with my testimony. I want you all to know that I know -- without a doubt, no matter what, come what may -- that God lives. I know that He is our Father. He loves us, and He will help us. Equally loving and anxious to help us is His Beloved Son Jesus Christ. "Oh sweet the joy this sentence gives: I know that my Redeemer lives!" Jesus Christ has redeemed me and sanctified me. He has strengthened me and walked with me. I know that He is our Savior. His grace is sufficient for us, even when we don't feel like we're sufficient for His grace. I have gained a great love and gratitude for the Holy Ghost. He is a dear friend! Like any good friend, sometimes He tells me things that I may not want to hear but that I need to. He also comforts me and teaches me. He shares with me so generously. The old cliche rings true: the Holy Ghost has been my favorite companion on my mission. I know that Joseph Smith saw God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. Joseph is the Prophet of the Restoration. I will never deny that, and I will strive to always stand by him. Because Brother Joseph lived in a way that he could have the Holy Ghost as his companion, he was able to translate the Book of Mormon, a book that has changed my life. I know that book is true. It is from good. I promise that anyone who reads it will find God in its pages. A man did not invent that book. I know that priesthood power has been restored to the earth. I have felt that power in my life. It is real! I know that President Thomas S. Monson is the Lord's prophet on the earth today. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true! I love the Church! I know that through the ordinances and covenants made available through Jesus Christ's Church, our family can be together forever. Isn't that amazing! These things I know to be true. I share them with you on my honor. Just like we can establish something as scientific fact after extensive testing in a laboratory, we can know of spiritual truths after repeated experiences with them. The testimony I have shared has been tried and proven. It is stamped with the seal of time and experience. It has been tested, but has held up under scrutiny. The greatest thing is that everyone can know these same things I know. "Ask and ye shall receive; knock and it shall be opened unto you." I share these things with you in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
