The Lord called me to beautiful Colorado where I've never seen
so many mountains and snow. Then He put me in Grand Junction; the mountains are
low and red, looks like Utah, and is about 4 hours from Provo. This is NOT what
I imagined my mission looking like. But I've never loved an area so much in my
life. I learned how to study, teach, street-contact; pretty much all the basics
of missionary work. This is where my conversion to missionary work started.
This is where I felt the first joy. This is where we were sent to Kassie:) This
is where I made forever friends with Sister Pearson, Sister Caisey, and be a
mom to Sister Lomu.
6 months out the Lord called me to good 'ole Highlands Ranch. My
hardest and longest area ever. I remember thinking, "the elect are not
here, having missionaries here is pointless." Well I know for a fact that
that was Satan. I will always be grateful for the adorable and wonderful Sister
Nicol for keeping me positive.Then I was blessed with Sister Erickson, who I
will forever feel a bond with due to the heavy trials we went through together.
Fortunately over time I learned how to recognize FRUIT. That area had not had a
baptism in 5 years. I know that through our obedience, diligence, and endless
prayers combined with the members, Heavenly Father blessed us with Nancy. I
learned patience and long-suffering. I learned Heavenly Father is in COMPLETE
control. Three companions later, Heavenly Father sent me Sister Garrett who
taught me how to gain a testimony of myself. We saw fruit like nothing else.
Then the Lord sent us to Tonya. I've never said so many gratitude prayers in my
life to Heavenly Father for allowing me to see so much beautiful fruit.
MEEKER is by far my favorite place to work in. Finding and being
immersed with so many kind people was such a relief coming from the city. Here
I learned from Sister Robinson how to show love for your companion. This is
where I felt like I could be a missionary forever. And where I felt so much
love for the investigators as well. I cried for a lot of the people we were
teaching and the decisions they had made. Mosiah 28:3 "Now they were
desirous that salvation should be declared to every creature, for they could
not bear that any human soul should perish; yea, even the very thoughts that
any soul should endure endless torment did cause them to quake and
tremble."
Uncompahgre: Un-com-pa-gray. Delta and Olathe (oh-lay-thuh)
reminded me of Grand Junction and Meeker combined. Pretty much where all of my
end of mission dreams came true. I learned how to embrace my calling and be
confident in the Lord's trust in me to be a leader. We have Bert on baptismal
date for April 25th and Chuck for April 30th. A lot of wheat to be harvested
here and it has been such a blessing.
I found this scripture at the beginning of my mission and have
always hoped this is how Heavenly Father feels about my service:
"Behold, the field was ripe, and blessed are ye, for ye did
thrust in the sickle, and did reap with your might, yea, all the day long did
ye labor; and behold the number of your sheaves! And they shall be gathered
into the garners, that they are not wasted." Alma 26:5
I echo the testimony of Job,"My witness is in
heaven, and my record is on high." I can list off 100 things
I've learned on my mission, but I think the most important things have been how
to repent, love unconditionally, and persevere when trials are really really
really hard. And truly understand (and continue to understand) what the Savior
did for me. All of those insecure feelings of inadequacy and that come back to
haunt you on a mission can be relieved and filled with feelings of pure joy and
love. I know that because my Savior Jesus Christ has done that for me.
Everything that has happened in my life up to when I was 19
prepared me for my mission. I know Heavenly Father put me through specific
things to help me be humble enough to be able to help hasten His work. My
patriarchal blessing never said I would serve a mission, but it did say I would
firmly bear testimony of the restoration of the gospel and people would listen
and believe it. I can't wait to continue doing that the rest of my life!
Love you all.
