Week 77

I am going to miss flower tree moments. I am going to miss the power I hold as a missionary telling people how much God loves them. I am going to miss transfer news nights. I am going to miss my friends I've made here. I am going to miss the colmado music. I am going to miss walking in the sun midday. I am going to miss people yelling "no se mojen". I am going to miss the roads that turn into rivers. I am going to miss someone coming to know Jesus. I am going to miss the spirit during personal study. I am going to miss tigres. I am going to miss the plastic chairs.  I am going to miss the passing out at 10:30. I am going to miss domincan washers. I am going to miss losing power. I am going to miss waiting for my friends on Sunday. I am going to miss watching someone read the Book of Mormon for the first time. I am going to miss watching someone pray for the first time. I am going to miss watching faces glow while talking about Jesus. I am going to miss chasing someone down to contact them. I am going to miss the long days and short weeks. I am going to miss spanish. I am going to miss creole. I am going to miss watching the beautiful sunsets. I am going to miss the tender mercies. I am going to miss watching the spirit change hearts. I am going to miss the dominican slang. I am going to miss the callejones. I am going to miss big miracles everyday. I am going to miss domincan paintings and domincan furniture. I am going to miss praying 30 times daily. I am going to miss the chickens and wild dogs in the road. I am going to miss trash rivers. I am going to miss hatian donuts. I am going to miss dominican dancing. I am going to miss the dirt roads. I am going to miss sweating as I get out of the shower. I am going to miss baseball games. I am going to miss watching someone read their first scripture. I am going to miss someone saying their first prayer. I am going to miss my friends. I am going to miss the dirt roads. I am going to miss members welcoming our friends in as family. I am going to miss 5 minute notice on giving a talk in sacrament meeting. I am going to miss my friends stepping into church, and feeling at home. I am going to miss searching for friends on Sunday morning. I am going to miss being a missionary.

But I am so grateful I had the opportunity to serve. I can't thank my Heavenly Father enough for letting me be one of His missionaries. It has been the hardest 18 months of my life, but I wouldn't change one thing. I am so full of love and gratitude. I love the people here with all my heart, every person has made an impact on me and has changed my life. I am so grateful I have come to know my Savior. I am so grateful He manifests His love to all people everywhere. I am so grateful to know that we have a Father in Heaven who loves us beyond measure. I know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ changes lives. I know He is our Savior and that He invites everyone to come unto Him, with His arms wide open. I know the Book of Mormon is true, I know it brings us closer to Christ. I know Joseph Smith restored Christ's Church. I know that he restored the priesthood power to the earth. I know God has called a prophet to guide us in these last days and I know that Prophet Russel M Nelson is a true prophet of God. I know that God hears each and every one of our prayers, outloud or silent and He answers, every single one. I know without a doubt covenants are power that bind us to our Heavenly Father and our Heavenly Home. I know families are eternal, and with that we will see our loved ones again and with that being true, I know I will see my dominican and hatian family one day. 

I was studying Elder Dieter F Utchdorfs recent talk from general conference "A Higher Joy" over the past 18 months I have definitely felt that Higher Joy. 

In the talk he explained there is opposition in all things. As in with Joy there is Sorrow. And they are unseparable companions. 

I have come to know for myself that this is true. The DR it is where I learned to feel Joy and Sorrow. And I am so grateful for them both, they are both necessary factors. As I am getting ready to come home, with allllll the Joy I have had here, all the amazing experiences I have had, it's causing sadness to leave behind. The scripture in John 14: 27 brings me peace and hope.

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

Only though Christ can we find joy. Only through Christ can we overcome our struggles. Only through Christ can we find peace. Through Christ anything is possible. 

He is the answer to all and I know as we turn to Him completely, He will make everything work out, in a perfect and eternal way. 

This week was incredible. We had interviews. We had an exchange. We had a service video. We had a giant pregnant spider in our house and I stood on a chair and started crying as the hermanas in our house killed it. We were sprinting to church on Sunday after we chased down our friends. It was crazy busy, ya know, the normal missionary life. It was hard seeing all the "lasts" finally come, but we still have 4 days to work hard!!! We are having 4 baptisms on Wednesday.

Wenguel

William

Hervè

Fredly

Pray for them!!!!

Hablamos ahorita mis manitos 

My homecoming is this Sunday in my homeward at 12! 

901 Village Way, Alpine, UT 84004, United States

There will be food at my house after! I would love to see you there! 

Remember God loves you and remember to put Him first!