I remember hearing someone in a leavers testimony meeting say "I feel like the words I use to express my testimony are exactly the same and yet the power behind it is what changed." Can I just give a little amen to that one? Really. I think rather than being the best 18 months or two years of your life, it is the best two years or 18 months for your life. And that is how I feel. How sad I am to leave a land that owns my heart. I went to give my final testimony and got three words out before I started crying- I love my mission. Oh man why am I so pathetic?
But the truth of it all is that the growth I have had here can continue. Forever. The 542 days I have spent in full time service of building the lords kingdom is only the beginning of a life devoted to Him. How exciting! Life is just beginning! I gave a talk about the things I have learned on my mission last week and it was one of the neatest opportunities to go all reflect-y and contemplate how I can use these things in the future.
I think about the companions I have met. The friendships I have made. The growth I have made spiritually. To see people change right in front of my eyes. To experience a tiny piece of heavenly fathers love for these people. To watch someone accept something that brings me so much joy. The trials I have experienced. The people who have impacted my life. Just learning German. To experience any of those things by themselves would have made this experience worth it. And then you put that all together and my heart is so full of gratitude I can't even begin to attempt to express how wonderful these 18 months have been. How absolutely incredible a mission is. How I would do anything to serve again. Ah man. This is just so surreal. This is one decision that I will never ever ever ever regret. I love my mission. I love my savior. I have been changed for good.
I know this is gods work. I know that I can stand shoulder to shoulder with Him. I know he can lift me through hard times when I can't do it alone. I know that He has a very specific plan for each and every one of us. I know that His gospel is the way to find confidence and true joy in this life. I know that I am a daughter of God. I know that this life is about constant improvement and I don't have to be perfect right now. I know that Jesus Christ is His son and that the exact same organization that he set up on the earth is on the earth again. I know that there is power that comes through both the Book of Mormon and the bible working together to strengthen our testimonies of Jesus Christ. I know that God has an infinite love for all of us that we can't fully comprehend. I know that the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost is the greatest gift he could ever give us. I know that the small and simple things we are asked to do to strengthen our testimonies really do bring about amazing changes in people. I know that this church is true. I know it.
yours truly,
xoxoxo
sister heywood
(^for the last time. Ah. I'm not crying..)
Be God's hero. See ya on the flip side.
