BIG OL' THANK YOU

This is my last blog post as a missionary! I'll be coming home this Wednesday! I am sad to leave but excited to see all the fam!!! Thanks for all your love and support and I couldn't have done it without all the prayers and letters and emails. I also know that my Saviour Jesus Christ has made my whole mission possible.  I have been given so much strength and seen His tender mercies.  My mission has been the greatest blessing and privilege for me to serve God and His children.  I have loved it and will miss it.  I know the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true.  I know God lives and loves all of His children individually. He sent His Son Jesus Christ to perform the Atonement so we could return to our Father in Heaven.  I know if we continue in faith and put the Lord first in all we do, He will bless us for our efforts. I'm so grateful for Joseph Smith and all the sacrifices he made to restore the fulness of the gospel.  I know the Book of Mormon is true and I love reading from its pages.  I am always learning from them and I'm grateful the Holy Ghost is my companion to help inspire, guide, and comfort me.  I love the Lord and I love His gospel.  Being in His service has been the best experience of my life.  I say this in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Scripture of the week: D&C 123:12-17 and D&C 4. They're way too long to copy and paste, but these scriptures have been my inspiration throughout my entire mission.  Thank you, thank you!! See you all soon! 

Comp. Item. - Best One Ever - Homemade Blankets

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YSA FHE in Portsmouth

These people are so great! I love them!! We always have a good time in Portsmouth!
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What a Week

I can't believe I have 1 week left. This past week has been up and down and all around.  We've seen some really great little miracles, got to go on exchange, and faced a bit of opposition with some investigators dropping us, but we don't let it get us down.  Of course, we are sad when people decide not to carry on meeting with us but we must respect their agency and choice.  The seed is planted.  We feel like we've done the best we could.  I love the quote, "Do your best, and the Lord will do the rest." That is so true.

One of the highlights of my week was visiting the Isle of Wight. I went on exchange with Sister Stigant who is an English sister, only been out in the field for 4 weeks now! She's doing great.  I loved working with her!  She helped me recognize all that a mission has taught me and I admired her faith in the Lord and in the work.  We focused on the importance of learning the lessons from Chapter 3 in PMG.  These are my testimony.  Being on my mission has helped me understand the WHY of the gospel and not just go through the motions.  Before my mission, I knew I loved the Lord and His gospel and I knew it made me happy and my family happy, but now I feel much closer with Heavenly Father and know His plan is truly perfect.  I more fully understand the Atonement and the commandments and I know as we trust in Him, He will made of us more than we could ever make of ourselves.  

Scripture of the week: "32 Verily, verily, I say unto you, as I said unto my disciples, where two or three are gathered together in my name, as touching one thing, behold, there will I be in the midst of them—even so am I in the midst of you. Fear not to do good, my sons, for whatsoever ye sow, that shall ye also reap; therefore, if ye sow good ye shall also reap good for your reward. Therefore, fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail... Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not." -D&C 6:32-34, 36, let's be honest, all of D&C 6 is great. :)

​Sister Stigant and I on our morning exercise.  All bundled up!! :)

Still So Green!

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TRAVEL PLANS! SAY WHAT?!!

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Pumpkin Carving!

Halloween P-day at the McCoys!! From left to right: Elder Day, Elder Gugyelka (ZL), Elder Rife, Elder Hare (DL), myself, Sister Maddocks, Elder VanDongen (ZL), and Elder Yu. PARTY!

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Consecration Week

What a wild week it was! We received many blessings and saw lots of miracles, but it sure wasn't easy.  For consecration week, as a mission, each companionship committed to 4 hours of finding a day from Tuesday to Saturday.  This pushed us all in the right direction.  Sometimes I need a little push to "stand a little taller, and be a little better" so I'm grateful President Millar had the inspiration to invite us to do that. It was great.

The best part of the week was when we went out street contacting on Wednesday.  It was a drizzly day, with puddles dotting the high street. As we walked, we just felt like we weren't in the right place.  We took a random left turn and followed the road around, past Priory park, and then right back onto the main strip.  It was then we met Serge! Serge is from Croatia but moved to England when he was a teenager.  He has had a very successful business life, but still feels empty inside.  He has great faith in God, and loves being around "god-fearing people," but still feels lost.  We talked with him and he talked with us for 45 minutes out on that busy street.  He agreed to a chapel tour later in the week and it went really well!! He agreed that baptism is something he wants to do if he comes to know the Book of Mormon is true!  He even already had a Book of Mormon from missionaries he met a few years ago! I love meeting people that are prepared and I'm so grateful Heavenly Father literally guides us where we need to be.  I'm excited to help him progress. The Spirit helps us so much so we know what to say and how to say it and I'm so grateful to be a part of this great work!

Scripture of the week: And he that will hear my voice shall be my sheep; and him shall ye receive into the church, and him will I also receive.

 22 For behold, this is my church; whosoever is baptized shall be baptized unto repentance. And whomsoever ye receive shall believe in my name; and him will I freely forgive.

 23 For it is I that taketh upon me the sins of the world; for it is I that hath created them; and it is I that granteth unto him that believeth unto the end a place at my right hand." -Mosiah 26:21-23From left to right: Serge, me, and Sister Maddocks after the chapel tour! :)
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